Let’s Start the Revolution: Tools for Displacing the Corporate State and Building a Country that Works for the People

In his latest eye-opening exploration, political maverick Ralph Nader dissects the astonishing twists and turns of the 2020 presidential election, a race that left the nation on the edge of its seat. Although Joe Biden clinched victory with a substantial popular vote lead, Nader unveils the precarious nature of the outcome, where a mere 100,000 votes in key swing states could have catapulted Donald Trump back to the presidency.

In Let’s Start the Revolution Nader asks: How did the Democrats, despite winning the 2020 election, find themselves teetering on the edge of defeat?

The answers, he finds, lie in the Democratic Party’s gradual decline into decrepitude—a self-isolation from blue-collar America, an unhealthy fixation on corporate funding, and an alarming aversion to introspection. Nader argues that the Democrats’ abandonment of their base and failure to address critical issues allowed the Republicans to solidify their hold on key states. Let’s Start the Revolution exposes the insular nature of the Democratic Party apparatus, adept at fundraising but detached from the grassroots movements that truly define the political landscape. Nader argues that the focus on dollars over principles has eroded the authenticity of the Democratic Party’s rhetoric on workers, consumers, and children.

Drawing on historical parallels and real-life examples, Nader unearths the pitfalls of relying on political and media consultants who prioritize corporate interests over the needs of the people, isolating candidates from progressive citizen organizations and obstructing crucial, campaign-winning agendas.

As Nader dissects the Democratic Party’s stagnation, he offers a compelling narrative on its post-2010 decline, exploring the devastating impact of gerrymandering and the loss of over 1000 state legislative seats. The book highlights the party’s inability to connect with voters, missing opportunities for meaningful engagement, and perpetuating a cycle of defeat. The Democrats have written off competing in half the country and have ceased to be a true national party.

Let’s Start the Revolution is not just a critique but a call to action. Nader advocates for a genuine relationship between the Democratic Party and the everyday lives of the people it seeks to represent. Based on his deep understanding of the necessities, anxieties, and dreams of millions of families, Nader charts a path forward—a path that prioritizes authenticity, community engagement, and a relentless pursuit of the common good. In a political landscape marred by a “divide and rule” polarization emanating from the power struggle between the major parties, this book serves as a vital roadmap for revitalizing democracy, empowering all citizens, and steering the Democratic Party away from cronyism and complacency. Ralph Nader’s latest work is a rallying cry for those who believe in the power of the people to arouse the heart of American democracy.