American Exception: Empire and the Deep State

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This work examines the disintegration of US democracy, focusing on the continuity of American foreign policy, the erosion of the rule of law, and the concentration of wealth and power among the corporate elite. The author employs a deep politics approach to reveal political practices often ignored in mainstream discussions. Historically, before World War II, the US operated within a deep political system where decision-making occurred both within and outside public institutions, characterized by secretive collusion and law-breaking. Post-World War II, US elites aimed for global dominance, pursuing an imperialistic agenda despite liberal rhetoric. This led to the establishment of a vast national security state marked by secrecy and lawlessness, with the "Global Communist Conspiracy" serving as a justification for continuous exceptions to the rule of law. A tripartite governance system emerged, where both the democratic and authoritarian states were increasingly influenced by a deep state—defined here as institutions wielding undemocratic power over society. The book explores key institutions and historical interventions, including the relationships between the corporate elite, organized crime, and national security actors, as well as significant events like foreign government overthrows and political assassinations. It concludes by evaluating the potential for revitalizing US democracy.