Hannah McCann
As Jonathan Neale points out in the opening of his latest book, What’s Wrong with America?, the changing world we live in can sometimes be confusing. We are bombarded with disturbing images from around the world daily. Fear and confusion reign supreme, and people are looking for answers. Neale examines the system that is the root cause of these concerns. When Neale asks 'what’s wrong with America?', he is really asking the fundamental question, 'what is wrong with the world?'
To answer this question, Neale does not go into a pointless attack on ordinary Americans. Rather, he looks at the actions of the rich and powerful in America, and the way that these higher forces are promoting the epidemic of inequality across the world. As Neale reminds us, the system of greed, exploitation and control that is encouraged by American politicians and corporations, is not uniquely American (p. 249). Indeed, many of the comments and observations made have direct application to contemporary Australian society. The American ruling class is the most economically powerful in the world and therefore the most in need of critical examination (p. 1).
Neale’s compelling analysis of society covers an immense range of subject areas,
and What’s Wrong with America? Neale’s compelling analysis of society covers
an immense range of
subject areas, and What’s Wrong with America? may at first leave some
readers feeling the answer is, “everything”. However, Neale’s discussion can
be condensed into just three main concerns: the capitalist drive for profits,
oppression of the working class, and the domination of American capitalism.
Neale does not try to hide his radical opinions, and on face value his bold
statements may appear unfounded socialist rhetoric. This is not the case, as
he provides persuasive and sometimes startling evidence to support his views.
Neale makes it clear that his analysis is based on the work of Marxist economists. He gives a brief history of capitalism and the global economy during the twentieth century from this perspective, in clear and simple terms. Even a hard-line economics student would agree with the basis of his line of reasoning, that 'competition drives the capitalist system' (p. 8). To have constant competition, one must always have capital to reinvest (p. 9). These profits have to come from somewhere and Neale argues that this is the role of the working class. This is what is essentially wrong with America and the world- the powerful putting pressure on the working class to produce profits. The ruling class are 'sweating the world' (p. 21).
Neale’s view is simple; there is the powerful ruling class that make profits, and the exploited working class that produces them (p. 24). Each chapter is approached from this idea that class is about relationships of power (p. 32). The 'middle class' are also mentioned, those that are both controlled, and have control- the managers, professionals, and self-employed. He reiterates that we should not see these class boundaries as fixed, but rather, understand that the definitions depend on relative status and power (p. 32).
However, Neale makes it clear that class identification is important for people to group together, and see the possibility of change, an alternative to the exploitation of the system. The 1999 protests in Seattle ('turtles and teamsters unite'! p. 254) are used to illustrate his point, that when people of different backgrounds come together to make a statement it makes a difference (p.220).
Neale’s comments are relevant not only for Americans. The Australian government’s looming industrial relations reforms seek to weaken the power of unions, threatening mechanisms for working class unity. This is a relevant message for the twenty-first century. As Orwell put it in 1984, for the ruling class, 'ignorance is strength' (1949, p. 18).
Emphasis is placed on the idea that the ruling class maintains the equality gap, and encourages division within the working class itself, which, he maintains, constitute nearly 80% of all Americans (p. 25). This ensures control of the majority of the population. By perpetuating social divisions in the working class, be it through gender, race, welfare, religion, or differences in sexuality, these divisions ensure a weak opposition. Like the immune system, if the body is weak it is prone to attack. Neale argues that this is what the ruling class is attempting to do: weaken resistance. Some readers may be stirred by this thought- and reminded of the current Australian government’s anti-terrorist statements that target Muslim communities. We have to ask ourselves- is the underlying purpose to divide and weaken, rather than protect?
The most frightening of all concepts in What’s Wrong with America? is that this exploitation of the working class is not confined to America. The 'squeeze' placed on the working class worldwide is how Neale defines globalisation (p. 140). The crux of Neale’s theory is that the US ruling class is leading this assault, 'to restructure the world economy' (p. 141). This is not a speculative assumption, Neale explains that there is a ruling class in all countries, but at this moment, America is at the economic forefront.
Neale describes the negative impacts of the American push for globalisation. Unsettling statistics are provided, displaying recent worldwide health and poverty trends. These illustrate the consequences of the ruling class’s global drive for profit, and highlights that the first areas to be cut back in this new world regime are aid and welfare.
Neale also presents several tables of comparative figures throughout the text to demonstrate his claims. Newspaper articles are included throughout the book, as well as excerpts from the work of other academic writers. This not only seeks to strengthen Neale’s case, but the diversity of material that is included makes it an interesting and informative read.
The most compelling evidence in favour of Neale’s arguments is that he is often reporting observations from direct personal experience. Neale is not making comments as an outsider. Having worked in hospitals and abortion and AIDS clinics, he has had direct contact with several of the groups of people he discusses. This gives Neale’s writing about these topics a sense of compassion and understanding; an element that is unfortunately absent in the work of many political scientists dealing with similar topics.
What’s Wrong with America? is a fascinating read, though it provides an analysis of society that some may disagree with. It may appeal more to sympathisers on the left, but Neale’s rationale is compelling if nothing else. What’s Wrong with America? is designed as an overview of the state of play in the world, to make some sense of the apparent chaos and confusion.
Though Neale’s observations may seem bleak at times, the overall tone is one of hope. Issues such as the state of the environment are not simply outlined; there is a real optimism for positive change present. Neale makes it clear that the people at the top are not about to change their behaviour anytime soon, as there is too much at stake. Rather, it’s up to the foundations to shift- the majority, the support underneath the ruling class. That’s where the real power lies.
Bibliography
Orwell, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four, Penguin Books: London, 1949