Democracy for the Few

Rating:
Summary: Factually Weak, with Questionable Sources
Review: Like another reviewer, I first read Parenti in a college political science -- public policy course. I found him a refreshing and interesting alternative viewpoint from the traditional center-left and center-right commentators that dominate America's political landscape. Open-minded individuals should read Parenti for a very unorthodox critique of America's politico-economic structure.

That said, "Democracy for the Few" is a poorly written book, especially considering the author was a college professor. Parenti's hyper-pessimistic critique of U.S. politics devolves into one long, angry rant rather than a scholarly presentation. Though he presents hundreds of facts to back up his arguments, his sources are questionable. Though the book was published in the mid-1990's, most of his citations are from 1985 or earlier. Worse, a majority come from far-left publications (People's Weekly, World; Mother Jones, The Nation, Z Magazine, etc.) which are not known for objective journalism.

Granted, Parenti scathingly rejects mainstream media as being dominated by corporate interests. True or not, most would agree that reputable newspapers such as the NY Times or Washington Post are more objective than the above leftist periodicals. Yet Parenti's citations from these or any mainstream resources are precious few.

Furthermore, Parenti sloppily includes many historical mistakes that even a high-school student should be able to detect. Example: he discusses Nelson Rockefeller being appointed Vice President when Spiro Agnew resigned. Of course, Gerald Ford replaced Agnew as VP; then Rockefeller replaced Ford. This may sound like nitpicking, but such simple mistakes diminish Parent's credibility as an author.

Lastly, I would like to agree with the previous reviewer in pointing out that Parenti's entire book is written within a narrow Marxist (or at least socialist) paradigm. Those who agree with a radically anti-capitalist, dialectical materialist viewpoint will find Parenti's work convincing. For the rest of us, however, "Democracy for the Few" is mainly a lengthy tirade from someone clearly frustrated that his political-economic viewpoint has largely been discredited.

I consider myself left-of-center, though not radical or socialist. Nevertheless, I do appreciate reading radical points of view and believe others should as well. I would suggest picking up "Democracy for the Few" at a library or from a friend (it's not worth buying) just for the enlightenment of hearing a contemporary socialist's arguments. But I will say that if this is the best the far-left has to offer, their chances of ever gaining a sizeable audience (already slim) are pretty much nill.

Rating:
Summary: Typical Anti-American, Pro-Socialist Propoganda: Horrible.
Review: Michael Parenti is an ardent leftist radical who looks at human freedom in a highly skeptical way. He deplores capitalism, corporations, is highly skeptical of profits, and consumer's ability to own cars. In effect, Michael Parenti would like to substitute the individual decission making of millions of Americans for a centralized bureacracy that will tell Americans, you cannot own cars, you must take the subway; you cannot own stocks directly, instead you must subsist through government subsidies and the like; you cannot pay for your education; you must instead allow the government to "help you." You cannot let your children take over your business; instead, you must give it to the government. Michael Parenti also claims that reporters and the media have painted an inaccurate view of the Soviet Union and Cuba. This book is submitted in college classrooms. It shouldn't. This book is based on inaccurate information, slipshod economic logic, and blind allegiance to government in all forms -- except in its main importance: defense of our nation. You decide. It is, after all, your choice. But this is definitely not a mainstream book.

-- Michael Gordon

Rating:
Summary: Some good, some bad
Review: Parenti is a brilliant political scientist. However, he is also an incredibly radical one.

Yes, his descriptions of the problems with American society are right on. Yes, he does get to the heart of all the problems.

No, his solutions are mostly not feasible (e.g. abolishing the CIA), and No, his work isn't as scholarly as it could be. I always am wary of authors who cite their other works as evidence.

However, if you simply ignore the solutions and read the problems, you'll be smarter than the average American.

Rating:
Summary: a first-rate critical analysis from a progressive angle
Review: Parenti tells it like it is, and his well-documented book may shock the majority of us spoon-fed propaganda by the mainstream media. He addresses issues that the powers-that-be are afraid to, like the maldistribution of wealth, the regressive nature of the tax system, the enormous subsidies granted to the rich using our tax dollars, the anti-poor and racist nature of our criminal justice system, the class motivations underlying the US government's myriad interventions overseas, and the conservative media bias. He writes very well, and his logic is compelling and impeccable. While Dr. Parenti is very critical of the current "politico-economic system," that does not make him a communist, though that is what many embarassed elites will call him. He is a progressive, a compassionate man thoroughly concerned with the well-being of working people, and this is apparent from his writing. Writing with such conviction about the ugly realities of American life will never get him on one of those sunday-afternoon political talk shows, because the elites that run the media are frankly terrified of him telling the ordinary people the facts about class and political power in America. I have read many books on politics and economics in my life, and of many excellent ones, this is probably the best and most comprehensive. This is a phenomenal and eye-opening book. I am currently reading anothr one of his books, Blackshirts and Reds, and that one appears to be just as good as Democracy for the Few.

Rating:
Summary: excellent indictment of American "democracy"
Review: Parenti's analysis of the basically undemocratic nature of American capitalism is right on the mark. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: the truth
Review: This is the history they don't want you to know. You live in a capitalist state, and that has severe implications for democracy, race relations, the jobless/homless rate, the environment, and just about every social ill you can think of. Read it and pass it on

Rating:
Summary: Read this if You're Stupid and wish to be Vengefully Stupid
Review: Very Stupid. Usual left-wing trash pumped out by a guy with a major "I hate America" agenda. We had to read this guy at Gordon College in freshman political science class, circa 1977. Back then, he was applauding alleged superiorities of the Chinese health care system relative to the U.S. (not Taiwan, but the PRC). Once you enslave your mind to a Marxist class-based critique of society, and convince yourself "business" is demonic, this is what comes out of your pencil. But read it and be greatly impressed if you wish to waste your mental capacity on a retrogressive rehash of the frustrations of an outdated totalitarian worshipper who now, I seem to recall, subsists in a left wing think tank in Washinton, D.C. (always clinging to "power" centers) scribbling more trash.

Rating:
Summary: Dr Parenti is a Great Thinker and Speaker!!!
Review: Yes -- get rid of the CIA! How many embarrasing failures and scandals must be exposed before this agency is seen for what it REALLY IS?!?! It's nothing but a ruthless, murderess prostitute for greedy US corporate interests the world over. This organization should have been destroyed long ago by the RICO Act! They put the Mafia to shame as far as racketeering goes. They make Tony Soprano look like a girl scout! All the billions given this agency would have been better off going down a rat hole. (At least that money would insulate the house and give the rats a soft bed to sleep on) The Pentagon is nothing but welfare for the rich! Deploying a missle shield that doesn't work is proof of that! Don't even mention the waste in their Black Budget. What a scam!!! After Abu Ghraib prison -- we have more than enough proof that ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY -- especially at the CIA and The Pentagon! Be sure to see the movies Air America and Pentagon Wars for a small taste of what is going on in this government. Can we really call it OUR government? I PRAY that God Blesses America with some decent leadership in its future very soon!!!

Rating:
Summary: Dr Parenti is a Great Thinker and Speaker!!!
Review: Yes -- get rid of the CIA! How many embarrasing failures and scandals must be exposed before this agency is seen for what it REALLY IS?!?! It's nothing but a ruthless, murderess prostitute for greedy US corporate interests the world over. This organization should have been destroyed long ago by the RICO Act! They put the Mafia to shame as far as racketeering goes. They make Tony Soprano look like a girl scout! All the billions given this agency would have been better off going down a rat hole. (At least that money would insulate the house and give the rats a soft bed to sleep on) The Pentagon is nothing but welfare for the rich! Deploying a missle shield that doesn't work is proof of that! Don't even mention the waste in their Black Budget. What a scam!!! After Abu Ghraib prison -- we have more than enough proof that ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY -- especially at the CIA and The Pentagon! Be sure to see the movies Air America and Pentagon Wars for a small taste of what is going on in this government. Can we really call it OUR government? I PRAY that God Blesses America with some decent leadership in its future very soon!!!