Silent Coup
How Corporations Overthrew Democracy
Matt Kennard author Claire Provost author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:4th May '23
Should be back in stock very soon

A deep investigation into how corporations have taken over political power, Silent Coup reveals the consequences for democracy and justice globally.
In Silent Coup, two investigative journalists delve into the alarming rise of corporate power in global politics. As the 20th century saw the decline of European empires, the anticipated resurgence of democracy was overshadowed by a more insidious force: corporations. This book meticulously explores how these entities have orchestrated a silent coup, reshaping political landscapes and redefining the very essence of justice and governance.
The authors traverse 30 countries, uncovering the historical roots and contemporary implications of corporate dominance. They highlight how corporations have come to dictate not only economic policies but also social justice, resource allocation, and territorial governance. Through compelling narratives and thorough research, Silent Coup reveals the mechanisms through which corporate interests have infiltrated political systems, often at the expense of democratic ideals.
This exposé serves as both a wake-up call and a guide for understanding the complexities of modern governance. By shedding light on the intricate relationship between corporations and state power, Silent Coup invites readers to reconsider the foundations of democracy and the future of justice in an increasingly corporate-controlled world.
This wide-ranging inquiry—based on intensive on-the-ground investigation—unearths ‘a parallel world, outside of scrutiny…with very real consequences’. An ugly world, out of control, unaccountable, but with overwhelming power. It ranges from investor-state legal systems to intricate systems of corporate welfare that aid elites and investors. Always concealed in elaborate devices of seeming to do good. Silent Coup is a highly revealing exposé of the hidden real world. * Noam Chomsky *
SIlent Coup opens a window onto multiple battlefields on which brave communities resist irresistible conglomerates world-wide. Because these momentous clashes remain under the radar of global public opinion, reading this book constitutes, in itself, an act of precious resistance. * Yanis Varoufakis *
Silent Coup is a crime story: a gripping description of the murky legal, and regulatory structures and policy changes that privilege big corporations. It’s a tragedy, outlining the terrible consequences for people and nature, for democracy and accountability. It’s a lesson in economics, providing fascinating and important insights into the functioning of global capitalism today. But finally it’s also a story of hope, about apparently powerless people resisting these trends in the struggle for better and more just futures. Don’t miss this. * Jayati Ghosh *
Silent Coup shows us how corporations have insulated themselves from democratic decision-making and stolen our collective power. Through impressive and important investigative journalism, the authors reveal how, why and where corporate power has hijacked democracy. We have to understand this world-spanning corporate power to build a global movement so powerful that we can take back our democracies and secure our collective future. * Jeremy Corbyn *
Silent Coup is a ground-breaking piece of work. Through personal journeys and encounters, it reveals the truth about how little our votes mean when corporations and dirty dealers are pulling their corrupt strings in the background. This book needs to be read aloud. Silent Coup shows us where we’re heading to if we do nothing. This book is not about theories, it’s about reality. It’s what real investigative journalism should be about, but it’s written in a no nonsense, engaging, and accessible style. This is stuff we really need to know. * Benjamin Zephaniah *
Silent Coup is investigative journalism at its best. It shows us how corporations rule the world: suing sovereign, democratic governments in invisible courts to erode constitutions and the democratic rights they enshrine—and writing laws and treaties to privatise the earth’s resources and public goods. Sovereign communities and countries are being displaced by sovereign companies and the supranational systems they have built to establish their control, creating in the process our age of corporate colonialism. The book is vital reading for all who care for human freedom, human rights and democracy. * Vandana Shiva *
Silent Coup is an outstanding work of secrets revealed: all the more so for its classic eyewitness reporting. It shows that democracy's true enemy is within, a dark alliance of rapacious capital and corrupt law. We have been warned. * John Pilger *
This brilliant book presents an entirely innovative framework to understand why the world looks like it does and not what it is. It explains why the media is largely ignoring the most important story of our generation. It explains how civic society around the world is being systematically dismantled by greedy corporations, governments, judicial bodies, and international institutions. It crackles by exposing hypocrisy at every level of officialdom. It demonstrates that voting in Western democracies is only the window dressing that hides power that few see with the naked eye but that this book reveals in startling and grotesque detail. If you read only one book this year, this should be it. * Steven Donziger *
Quite an eye-opening look at the various abuses of corporate power across the globe and how they have caused quite a bit of harm and perhaps unintended consequences . . . absolutely worthy of reading and could enhance the overall discussion of related topics. Recommended. * BookAnon.com *
Silent Coup is investigative journalism at its best, charting the rise of corporate power after World War II, where the freedoms fought for were redefined. -- Jan Woolf * The Morning Star *
This book is detailed, but highly readable. It’s written for a broad audience with clear explanations and a very visual style. We go with the authors as they travel to different locations, investigate local issues, meet community activists and policy insiders, and delve into archives and history. * Foreign Control Watchdog *
Excellent and massively important. * The Canary *
ISBN: 9781350269989
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
296 pages