One sentence summary:
American Theocracy by Kevin Phillips explores the dangerous combination of radical religion, oil dependency, and unsustainable debt in the United States, and its potential impact on the country’s future.
Book genre:
Non-fiction, political commentary, social criticism.
Main topic of the book:
The intersection of religion, energy resources, and financial policies in shaping American politics and society in the 21st century.
Key ideas:
- Religion plays a significant role in American politics, particularly among the conservative right.
- The United States’ dependence on oil for energy and its impact on foreign policy and the environment.
- The staggering levels of debt and borrowing by the US government, and its potential consequences for the economy and society.
- The rise of the “political-religious complex” and its impact on government policies and decision-making.
- The threat of an impending crisis due to the combination of religion, oil, and debt in American society.
Main parts of the book and a short summary:
- Part I: The End Times: This section delves into the history of American religion and its influence on politics, as well as the concept of “end times” beliefs and how they play out in government policies.
- Part II: The Petroleum Era: Focusing on the role of oil in shaping American foreign and domestic policies, this section also explores the impact of oil dependency on the economy and environment.
- Part III: The Debt Explosion: Phillips examines the rise of debt and borrowing in America, and how it has been enabled and perpetuated by the government’s reliance on oil and its close ties with religious conservatives.
- Part IV: The Political-Religious Complex: This section delves into the growing influence of the religious right on American politics and policies, and how this alliance between religion and government poses a threat to the country’s future.
- Part V: The Showdown: The final section explores the potential consequences of the current state of affairs in America, and what actions need to be taken to address the issues and prevent a crisis.
Key takeaways:
- The intertwining of religion, oil, and debt has major implications for American society and its future.
- The role of religion in American politics cannot be ignored, and its impact on policies and decision-making needs to be critically examined.
- The reliance on oil for energy has significant economic, environmental, and political consequences.
- The massive debt and borrowing by the US government pose a serious threat to the country’s stability and prosperity.
- The alliance between religion and government, particularly on the conservative right, poses a danger to the separation of church and state and the policies of the country.
- Urgent action is needed to address these challenges and prevent a potential crisis.
Author’s background and qualifications:
Kevin Phillips is an American writer and commentator, known for his political commentary and analysis. He has worked as an analyst for the Republican Party, has written for prominent publications, and is the author of several books, including the highly acclaimed “The Emerging Republican Majority.” He has been described as a “political historian turned prophet,” and his commentary on American politics has been praised for its accuracy and foresight.
Target audience:
American Theocracy is primarily aimed at readers interested in politics, specifically those concerned with the role of religion, energy resources, and debt in American society. It will also appeal to those interested in social criticism and the impact of these factors on the country’s future.
Publisher and first publication date:
Penguin Press published American Theocracy in 2006.