| Description |
1 online resource |
|
text file |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
Our Machiavellian moment -- Excusing corruption -- The silent killer -- The dream of a virtuous republic -- An anti-corruption covenant -- What did corruption mean? -- The Constitution's promise of virtuous government -- How did that work out? -- Federalism and corruption -- The Mississippi story -- Designing a virtuous justice system -- The silver bullet -- Bribes -- The republic of defection -- Policing crony capitalism : what doesn't work -- Three reforms -- The heavenly city of the enlightened reformer. |
| Summary |
Public corruption is the silent killer of our economy. We've spawned the thickest network of patronage and influence ever seen in any country, a crony capitalism in which business partners with government and transfers wealth from the poor to the rich. This is a betrayal of the Framers' vision for America, and of the Constitution they saw as an anti-corruption covenant. Most Americans get it, and this explains the otherwise improbable rise of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. When a country is corrupt, legislative efforts to make things better can actually make them worse. That's what has happened with our campaign finance laws, says the conservative, and not entirely without reason. We've criminalized political speech and sent the message that it's unsafe to get involved in politics without a lawyer at one's side. Donor disclosure requirements have also unleashed Internet mobs that attack political opponents. We'd be better off without any of them, Buckley argues in this provocative book. They're a net with the curious feature that the big fish swim through safely while only the little fish are caught, and those with the wrong political beliefs. All such rules are a disaster, and should be replaced by a different set of laws that focus on crony capitalism and the nexus of legislators and lobbyists that prey on our economy. |
| Local Note |
eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America |
| Subject |
Misconduct in office -- United States.
|
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Misconduct in office. |
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United States. |
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Political corruption -- Law and legislation -- United States.
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Political corruption -- Law and legislation. |
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Bribery -- Law and legislation -- United States.
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Bribery -- Law and legislation. |
|
LAW / Criminal Law / General. |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
|
|
Electronic books.
|
| Other Form: |
Print version: Buckley, F.H. (Francis H.), 1948- Republic of virtue. New York : Encounter Books, 2017 9781594039706 (DLC) 2017006460 |
| ISBN |
9781594039713 (electronic book) |
|
1594039712 (electronic book) |
|
9781594039706 (hardcover ; alkaline paper) |
|
1594039704 |
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