Democracy in Chains begins as the story of James Buchanan, the Nobel Prize winning economist who popularized public choice economist. MacLean argues that Buchanan joined up with wealthy special interest individuals to influence politics. In partnership with the Koch brothers, MacLean argues that Buchanan and other public choice economists, worked directly to benefit a small group of propertied individuals over the will of the majority.

The work was short listed for the National Book Award while also being widely and sharply criticized by conservative think tanks and public choice economists.

Featuring host Jeffery Jenkins (@jaj7d ‏), and guests Matthew Kahn (@mattkahn1966), Anthony Orlando (@AnthonyWOrlando), and Abby Wood (@yesthatabbywood).

For links and further reading, check out the showpage: https://bedrosian.usc.edu/bookclub/democracy-in-chains