This work investigates the systemic impact of unchecked materialism and corporate expansion on the democratic foundations of American society. Tom Hayden, a veteran activist and political figure, draws upon decades of experience in social movements and legislative analysis to argue that the pursuit of private accumulation has eroded public interest and civic responsibility. He presents a framework that links historical patterns of resource control to contemporary political stagnation.

Critics and scholars often note the polemical nature of the prose, which reflects the author's background in grassroots activism. Experts highlight this as a significant contribution to the literature on American political history and the evolution of social protest movements.