A compulsively readable, carefully researched account of how a malignant combination of rightwing ideology, secretive money (much of it from the US) and weaponisation of social media have shaped contemporary British (and to a limited extent, European) politics ... Remarkable' Observer, Book of the Week. Democracy is in crisis, and unaccountable and untraceable flows of money are helping to destroy it.
Politicians lie gleefully, making wild claims that can be shared instantly with millions of people on social media. Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Jair Bolsonaro and populists in many other countries are the beneficiaries. Peter Geoghegan is a diligent, brilliant guide through a shadowy world of dark money and digital disinformation stretching from Westminster to Washington, and far beyond.
He shows how antiquated electoral laws are broken with impunity, how secretive lobbying bends our politics out of shape, and how Silicon Valley tech giants have colluded in selling out democracy. Geoghegan investigates politicians, fabulously well-funded partisan think tanks, propagandists who know how to game a rigged system, and the campaigners and regulators valiantly trying to stop them. Democracy for Sale is the story of how money, vested interests and digital skulduggery are eroding trust in democracy - and a powerful account of what must be done about it.
Praise for Democracy for Sale: 'Thorough, gripping and vitally important' Oliver Bullough'A brilliant description of the dark underbelly of modern democracy. Everyone should read it' Anne Applebaum'A compelling and very readable story of the ongoing corruption of our government and therefore ourselves' Anthony Barnett'As urgent as it is illuminating' Fintan O'Toole'This urgent, vital book is essential reading for anyone who wants to make sense of our politics' Carole Cadwalladr'This forensic and highly readable book shows how so many of our democratic processes have moved into the murky, unregulated spaces of globalisation and digital innovation' Peter Pomerantsev'A call to arms for all those who value democracy' Herald'Geoghegan's words are those of someone who is prepared to keep fighting to defend and revitalise what shadows of democracy still remain' Scotsman