Excerpts: “Antigovernment ideologues (aka hard Randians) face little consequence for their destructive actions, especially because today’s so-called centrists (aka soft Randians) offer little defense of public authority. The result is a downward spiral of popular distrust and alienation” (p. 340).

“On their own, markets will not ensure clean air or water. They will not invest adequately in education or research and development. They will not provide high-quality infrastructure, or health care that’s affordable and accessible, or sufficient preparedness for retirement. They will not discourage predatory practices that damage consumers. They will not deliver a relatively stable macroeconomy–or a livable planet” (p. 361).

Hacker, Jacob S. and Pierson, Paul. (2016). American Amnesia: How the War on Government Led Us to Forget What Made America Prosper. New York: Simon & Schuster.