What is Oligarchy? | Robert Reich

Robert Reich explains why American democracy has become a oligarchy.
Watch More: 10 Ways to Save American Democracy ►► • 10 Steps to Save Ameri...

[@RBReich]

Thanks for watching. If you found this video informative, be sure to also watch our video on 10 ways to save American democracy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYC4k4qAp8etpck

[@UpperCaseX]

Oligarchy bad. Choose Communism ☭. YAY MY FAVORITE COMMIE MADE A NEW VIDEO!! ❤️❤️😍

[@dannywindham3295]

Over half a million people homeless in this country. And more destined to be homeless. And we ask if America is an oligarchy. The answer is yes

[@kvm1992]

Close enough. If the typical citizen has no influence and government serves the best interest of an elite then that can only mean one thing. America is not an oligarchy. It is however, the next worse thing, a plutocracy. Unlike systems such as democracy, capitalism, socialism or anarchism, plutocracy is not rooted in an established political philosophy. If Elitism is running the show then we the people must fight for the opposite, Egalitarianism.

[@UpperCaseX]

Tech Oligarcs: Alphabet, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft. All Democrats🤔

[@fredparker5801]

Sir you need to be the next President. Thank you for your insights.

[@dustypants9326]

My father taught me at an early age the golden rule; "He who has the gold, makes the rules." I've only known America as an oligarchy. It would be nice if politicians cared about and listened to average Americans.

[@mstrultan]

Almost shocking, but some do. Check Elizabeth Warren as one obvious example. There are quite a few others, too. Unfortunately, and partially conceding your point, they are far too few.

[@gameandbros5462]

Unfortunately, I was taught the same and it's ashamed that society is like this way. It's also ashamed for me to think that if Bernie doesn't win the primary that no matter who I vote for (Trump vs "Insert name here") that my vote doesn't matter cause both sides of the aisle is pretty much corrupted. Kinda like "Whoever wins, we lose" (we the people)

[@dasher607]

One of the problems with this is that those in power have convinced Average Americans to vote against their interests. One of the reasons we have fewer unions than we used to have. Also, convincing workings class white people that minorities are the cause for their problems instead of the rich was a useful trick.

[@fadenmac8092]

It seems one powerful individual or corporation (because they are now people) can turn the will of the people upside down with PAC/SuperPAC and/or lobbying. We also have to put the onus on the people of the US because we are brilliant when it comes to pop culture and stone stupid when it comes to basic understanding of government and law.

[@qbconnect]

@@dasher607 With your comment I'm starting to think you need to be on the presidential ballot. You have great insight and understanding of life

[@marilynbansley5357]

Unfortunately, America has become an oligarchy. Many of our elected officials are not responsive to their constituents, but to the big donors who fund their campaigns. We need campaign finance reform. Thank you, Prof. Reich, for pointing this out.

[@a.eugenetuckersr.5510]

America has been an Oligarchy since the early 1980s. Ronald Reagan made sure of that.

[@DV-dt9sq]

And before him. Eisenhower, Truman, Nixon, Johnson... ;)

[@danvol3835]

@@DV-dt9sq : But the final nail in the coffin was Reagan, with his draconian policies of defunding social programs and creating the corporate welfare state, which has continued until this day. Trump is just Reagan without the acting skills.

[@DV-dt9sq]

@@danvol3835 : Yes, I agree.

[@oldman4440]

Trickle Down Economics; the monster that just won't die!

[@larrysherk]

That is right. Lower level wages flat-lined in the early seventies. By 1980, businesses saw they were marketing not products but ideas and dreams.

[@judyhively2588]

I agree with you. The few are forcing poverty on more and more people. 👍👍🥺

[@garrygballard8914]

Oligarchy, it appears so. During the next Washington change we need you back there working for us Robert and to put things back correctly.

[@AS8Cend]

Bernie's Treasury Secretary (:

[@jcx5659]

@Ronie Lavon Bullshit.

[@chessmaster2649]

Yes it is an oligarchy. By definition. I have read much of your work Robert. And really appreciate you.

[@markbenoit]

You should read what some of What his critics have to say too, you know to get both sides you wouldn’t want to be fooled if there is a chance that he’s saying is misleading.

[@chessmaster2649]

@@markbenoit I'm a capitalist. I just believe that the economy has served a diminishing few at the expense of the growing many. In fact Trump ran on the forgotten man.

[@MrHillbilly49]

This is an excellent explanation of how our system currently works and how some great leaders of the past (Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt) prevented the United States from becoming or remaining an oligarchy. We desperately need that kind of leadership again.

[@PAVANZYL]

Bernie 2020!

[@MrHillbilly49]

@Jonssoni921, you are exactly right. The Roosevelts cared more for their country than they cared for their own personal interest.

[@MarioAlvaradoJ]

Bernie is the only one that could do it again!

[@nathalie_desrosiers]

@Joel DeWitt So what? Every year, new terms emerge *to illustrate our reality* . What's your point?

[@peterwong5993]

@Joel DeWitt not if government working against power and wealth concentration by a few. What's the difference between oligarchy and dictatorial government if they work for their own interests?? None. At least we have the power to make sure our government work for us through democracy. We can't do the same for oligarchy.

[@Opus313]

Thank you for your videos. Very well researched and presented. Keep up the great work!

[@iamaloner]

You know who he is right?

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

@Frederic Bastiat :- cut & paste much???

[@jcx5659]

@Frederic Bastiat Wow, another seriously confused comment.

[@markbenoit]

So well researched by using a filter to block all info that goes against what he wants to be true.

[@Troubleshooter125]

Top marks, Mr. Reich, for both communication and education. Your videos continue to be very appreciated by me. Please keep up the excellent work!

[@neilr11]

Thank you for doing what you do!

[@antoniocalhau4711]

Thanks for the good references so we can all follow, the best!

[@InfernoBlade64]

With Bernie the USA will become a democracy once again instead of an oligarchy

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

Instead of the United States of Koch Bros.

[@UpperCaseX]

Power to the people ☭!!

[@eyesthatsmile-heartthatlov8050]

@@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing and The Mercers and the Murdochs

[@andromedagalaxynebula5751]

Rothschilds and Rockefellers

[@andromedagalaxynebula5751]

@Jeff Jones Why do people have so much hope and faith in political parties and candidates?

[@jerryryberg1454]

We're sure heading that way. Excellent video, Robert and friends!

[@krokodyl1927]

Bernie &/or E. Warren POTUS 2020 with Rbt Reich as part of their administration. Then Rbt Reich POTUS 2024. Def got my vote.

[@unifiedglobe3]

Great video as usual Robert! Always excited to see when you post a new video!

[@thebigpicture7095]

I second that. 👍

[@JamalDaBeaver]

Wat is your favorite video tho?

[@bonehead3545]

Excellent, professor. Thank you

[@09Jeanine]

Thank you for the work you are doing to expose our government's corruption!!!

[@question7685]

Are you from USA?

[@09Jeanine]

@@question7685 Yes

[@rickfitzgerald4426]

@@question7685 Are you from reality?

[@tracewallace23]

Absolutely an oligarchy. Top 1%=40% of wealth. How much of the countries wealth does the top 10-20% control?🤔

[@larrynix4977]

They control it all

[@antoniocalhau4711]

Thank you Inequality Media, as Rev. Dr. William Barber always says inequality became again the biggest issue in our nation, and nobody is talking about it! We must make it the most important election issue! And he quotes the statistics about it!

[@midwestkatie8068]

a lot of ppl in the media are talking about it under many diff names

[@danielbaczkowski4980]

I totally agree with your comments. This needs to change.

[@haroldmurff6732]

Thanks for your insight and research... Very informative...keep them coming....

[@docholiday8029]

Spot on Get money out of politics Or lose it all.

[@larrynix4977]

Re elect trump our money is gone

[@docholiday8029]

@@larrynix4977 You completely missed the point. In the 70s the Supreme Court legalized bribery. Now Billionaires buy politicians (including 45) and run our country. 45 is a symptom of what is wrong, not a cure for anything. Same applies to Biden and Pelosi. The enemy isn't liberals or conservatives. It is the greedy rich bastards who use their influence to dictate a tax code that kills the poor and shackles the middle class.

[@lyubakavideo]

Thankful that I’ve discovered your channel and YT body of work! As painful as the recognition of our brutal reality may be I’m glad I get to observe these critical thinking and integration pieces you present. Bravo!

[@wbtim3]

Right on Professor; keep it coming. Learning a lot from you.

[@midnightsun2085]

Robert. I would like to say, thank you for this video. Your video has not just helped in my essay about the elite theory, but it also helped me to expand my understanding on the oligarchies, and their role within political and civil society. Thank you again, keep up the good work.

[@aikanedelahay7143]

Agree. It's going to be a hard road ahead. Wrestling the political power and wealth free will take close to a revolution to accomplish. Who can unite the people like FDR did to spearhead the movement?

[@miguelitogiroux7023]

Bernie

[@DG-qq6gz]

America is an oligarchy. Thank you for raising the conciousness of this society.

[@blipco5]

But the oligarchy has promised us a wall.

[@markye1872]

Excellent video - thank you for these brief bursts of clarity.

[@commentdeleted173]

Oligarchy is the title of James O'Keefe's new song.

[@Wolf462]

Thank you for your service to this great country Mr Reich. You and your team are hero’s. You give me hope we may yet save this country from the immoral, the corrupt, the inept & the stupid...

[@nil981]

We effectively are an oligarchy

[@edwardmaxwell3951]

2:40 that quote could easily have come from Bernie Sanders 😉

[@rainangel2517]

Bernie dropped out unfortunately

[@SteveBriley]

Oligarchy? Sadly yes. Keep coming with those super informative videos. Maybe work with represent.us to make some more as well.

[@kennethbryan9953]

Excellent presentation,simple,clear,direct,it would enable the least educated to understand where the wealth and political power lies. It has the quality of a moral tale of fairness,justice.morality.

[@antoniocalhau4711]

First to view, share, and comment! Thank you Robert Reich!

[@rubbersoul3723]

THANK YOU AGAIN ROBERT. Please don't stop. You are at the very least the canary in the coal mine that we need. Your contribution is invaluable. The number of views of this video might not reflect it but it seems like 95% of people I talk to see trump for the destructive effects that he wroughts and want him gone.

[@jharvey560]

RR was brilliant in Clinton's cabinet; we need him back in Warren's. Then RR for POTUS. Winner-takes-all is not a formula for long-term prosperity, but it's a built-in defect of capitalism. Enlightened government can mitigate the excesses and keep the engine humming at peak efficiency; see, e.g., FDR.

[@D800Lover]

If you have concentrated wealth, you have concentrated power: Oligarchy!

[@georgekraft1401]

Prof. Reich, is there any chance of you and Prof. Wolfe having a discussion or debate on practical economics? I have learned a lot from both of you and respect you both.

[@nicolewuelleh8637]

America is in trouble

[@larrynix4977]

Everytime we get a republican in office thteirs some type of turmoill when democrats get in we have a balanced budget

[@larrynix4977]

This pandemic is trumps 911 thing dont let him fool you

[@johnhodgson3934]

The best way to describe the situation is of a nation-state where oligarchy (often international power and money) operates outside democracy but with enormous impact on it. Joe Foweraker's recent book Oligarchy and the Americas compares oligarchies in the US with those in Latin America.

[@fuadalsakkaf2694]

Thank you for a very informative and interesting video Dr. Reich. I will appreciate an example of a non-oligarchy nation or country. It will be interesting to know this nowadays. Is there any?

[@celesteconnor5677]

Thanks for this. Confirms I'm on the right path. Artists for Bernie.🕛

[@digiryde]

I just had this conversation on Monday with one of my children. If he can figure it out, why is it so hard for most adults to figure it out. He approached me. lol

[@Swimmer47]

Heck yes, we’re an oligarchy bordering on fascism...

[@wvu05]

This is why I have been saying for years that public financing of campaigns is the reform that makes all other reforms possible.

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

"As the founding fathers intended" - Standardized Conservative Excuse Handbook for Oligarchy in America, volume 1, pg. 7

[@Canteluta1022]

4c1dr3fl3x I’m sorry if I appear ignorant, but is your comment referring to an actual book, or, are you being facetious? If it’s an actual book, who is the author, please? I’ve googled and gotten nowhere.

[@johnadams2493]

What book ? Trump university?

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

@@Canteluta1022 It's one of William F Buckley's lesser known works

[@Canteluta1022]

4c1dr3fl3x thanks! 🙏✨

[@julietv4275]

Everyone share this video.

[@michaelrch]

I take it the question "Is America an Oligarchy?" is rhetorical, right? Are there seriously still some people who think it isn't?!

[@Alex_Mitchell]

The "tipping point" is long past.

[@-Epiphany]

Thank you for the explanation... I was lost and trying to keep up with current events.

[@alierikenoglu8006]

Great presentation, most informative. It would have been interesting to include the original sins of genocide and enslavement into this discussion, and how theae factors influenced the "development" of the US.

[@justcallmeSheriff]

Just looked you up and was happily surprised to see your friendship with Michael Schwerner. That told me a lot about your commitment to fighting injustice.

[@davidvelez7464]

I agree 100% it is that’s why we need a real progressive FDR 5.0 Sanders 2020 💪

[@acreymundo]

I learn so much from Professor Reich. I’m certain we’re an oligarchy. But I’m also very concerned that we are also being moved toward a form of religious fascism. Our democratic republic hasn’t been so imperiled since the civil war.

[@NS-cs3wp]

3 years later, America is worse of an oligarchy today than it was when this video was produced.

[@corneliusx1811]

Thank you for talking about, "Concentrations of Wealth". "Too Big to Fail" is worship of the monopolistic burden. What are your suggestions for reversing the concentration of wealth trend? Good job.

[@cherylthomas417]

As always, Robert Reich hits the nail on the head!

[@trmarple]

Yes we are an oligarchy! We've gone from a shining bastion to a twisted example...

[@DougGrinbergs]

Oligarchy, kakistocracy, KKKristofascism (:-(

[@leslieb2971]

You (Robert Reich) have been good to the country and good for your country! Keep the videos coming! Thank you!

[@joshc643]

America is an oligarchy. I like the term Inverted Totalitarianism as well. It describes our current dilemma accurately.

[@knottiema7667]

I’ve felt this way about our system for so long, but didn’t know the word for it!! My mind is blown to visually see what I’ve been seeing if that makes sense lol.

[@joecaner]

The United States of America has been an *Oligarchy* since its inception. Power was and has been concentrated into the hands of a few rich, powerful men by design from the get-go.

[@Inyosi888]

Thank you from South Africa

[@dondebar]

Russia is an oligarchy, and the US "might be"? And the "2nd Gilded Age" began in 2000?! I thought YOUR team repealed Glass Steagall and enacted the 96 Telecom Act, among many other pieces of the architecture of oligarchy.

[@katebc9148]

THANK YOU!!!, Dr. Reich. Clearly stated and important information.

[@clc-gl4jn]

Anti Trust laws might be a huge thing that could stop the oligarchs way

[@MrMd5555]

We can disagree on how to resolve this but every American should stand together in agreeing that we are an oligarchy disguised as a democratic republic

[@hildavazquez1499]

Robert Reich for President

[@smoke703]

Was hoping they would talk of the history. Every country is owned by these families

[@jedlimen123]

Yes I agree, no doubt, thanks for presenting. I hope more people become aware and act, for example VOTE!

[@WonderMagician]

Thank you Robert Reich, excellent explanation in a historical context...we must protect our democracy

[@davidjackson4613]

Honestly, I don't in any way feel myself qualified to comment on anything Mr. Reich says on any topic, but as a member in good standing of the 99%, I have to totally agree with his point of view that we are an oligarchy. No doubt about it. In fact, I believe the process started going back to the Nixon Administration and was accelerated by the Reagan Administration leading to the mess we got with the Trump Administration. We don't need billionaire presidents or millionaire representatives doing favors for their rich friends. That's a third world oligarchy.

[@drawnbysean1624]

Your money is your freedom, your money is your power, and now, your money is your voice.

[@Ruthnerken]

Beautifully and succinctly put! I thank you!t

[@georgekappland2935]

Oligarchy yes, democracy not so much. If only people would educate themselves and really get involved. Thanks Robert!

[@SolRC]

I have been preaching that the US is a plutocracy for the past four decades, after Carter left office. Being that I am not a professor , heck I don't even have a high school diploma , what is the objective difference between a oligarchy and a plutocracy? Thanks in advance , preach on brother Robert 🤙✊

[@malamati007]

Bob, we need you to step up and run for president....you have a deep skill set, knowledge, and great speaking skills--and can bring people together with your ability to work with the other side of the aisle. Please give this real consideration.

[@hurd3203]

I have to say, you are very good at politics and economy.

[@ariananegron4679]

ALWAYS SMART TO MENTION THE GILDED AGE, VERY SIMILAR TO OUR CURRENT SITUATION.

[@alexiskiri9693]

Mr. Reich, I like what you say. I think that we need a new vision. I am backing Andrew Yang. I think his ideas about the future and what is coming are very important. He is the future if America is to survive as a democracy. "By the people, for the people, with liberty and justice for all".

[@NortheastHobbyfarmer]

I think we need a full reboot of the political system.

[@coolmodelguy6304]

Elizabeth Warren has called for a wealth tax on all accumulated wealth over 50 million dollars. I support this idea, it is the same thing as the property tax most of us pay on our homes . . . so it is a fair thing to do. However I would go further than Elizabeth Warren by supporting a wealth cap at 50 million dollars. The wealth cap would forever eliminate the oligarchy and prevent our grand children from having to deal with this problem again in another 100 years.

[@OhertRasmus]

Love your voice. So soothing.

[@MrYikes-dk2mb]

Beautifully executed video! 💙🙌❤

[@jayski9410]

It's not the oligarchy per se, it's that the wealth they control stops flowing or slows way down. Walter Matthau, in the 1971 movie "A New Leaf", has a great line about that. He says money is like manure, if you just let it pile up it becomes putrid and stinks but if you spread it around it makes things grow and flourish.

[@lisas8080]

We do ourselves a disservice when we say the average American has no power at all. The power of the ballot should not be underestimated, nor the power of thoughtful, deliberate protest.

[@juliandavis6551]

Interesting viewpoint. I disagree with the premise that one person's vote has no importance. What we have today is what we want. If we want something different we can have it. "WE" is what matters in the United States. Very well done presentation.

[@chriskriskovic5914]

As long as the court believes that money is an element of speech and therefore spending is a constitutional right we will be an oligarchy.

[@margolane27]

A Must Watch to understand Where we really are! OLIGARCHY

[@susantroy5747]

Yes. I think it is becoming one and one thing I have observed is that the kind of wealthy people who relish this may be strong in the way bullies are strong, and sly, but they do not seem very bright. I think this is a poor way to govern a nation long term and I think this must change. But how?

[@RB-er6gu]

Robert you hit that on the nail head and out of the park!!!!

[@fearlessgeneral120]

America is an extreme Oligarchy. 1 percent possesses and own way over 40 percent of the entire wealth of the country. This is insane!

[@edweinstein6943]

You;r my Hero - Keep up the great work Bob

[@italiancapo7]

Bernie 2020 is our only hope to fight the corruption and return the power to the people. We need better education funding, better health programs and more public works. I’m a conservative and I recognize this.

[@mururoa7024]

It's clear what the O in GOP stands for.

[@1wer819]

Thanks so much for your explanations in such succinct form! Would love to see you interpret Daniel Sheehan's lectures. 🤔

[@SR-kd4wi]

What can a common citizen do about it? BTW, this is also true for India.

[@PAVANZYL]

Register, vote.