Evil Geniuses by Kurt Andersen Summary

Evil Geniuses analyzes how conservative elites orchestrated America’s economic transformation since the 1970s, dismantling progressive policies to favor corporations and the wealthy. Kurt Andersen traces the rise of neoliberal ideologies, deregulation, and financialization, arguing these shifts created extreme inequality and eroded middle-class stability. The book exposes coordinated efforts by think tanks, politicians, and business leaders to reshape laws and public opinion for profit-driven agendas.

This book suits readers interested in political economy, modern U.S. history, or systemic inequality. Policymakers, activists, and students of capitalism will find its critique of corporate power and right-wing strategizing particularly relevant. Andersen’s blend of historical analysis and cultural commentary also appeals to general audiences seeking to understand today’s polarized climate.

Yes—Andersen’s sharp, evidence-backed narrative connects decades of policy changes to present-day crises like wage stagnation and political extremism. Critics praise its accessible synthesis of complex topics, though some argue it oversimplifies liberalism’s decline. For those seeking a roadmap of America’s economic unravelling, it’s a compelling primer.

• Economic counter-revolution: Right-wing intellectuals and business leaders systematically rolled back New Deal-era regulations.
• Financialization: Wall Street’s dominance redirected wealth upward through leveraged buyouts and stock buybacks.
• Nostalgia exploitation: Conservatives weaponized idealized pasts to justify deregulation and tax cuts.
• Liberal complacency: Progressives underestimated organized opposition, enabling conservative victories.

Andersen identifies “evil geniuses” like economist Milton Friedman, Koch brothers-funded think tanks, and Reagan-era policymakers. These actors promoted shareholder capitalism, anti-union policies, and tax loopholes that concentrated wealth. Corporate lobbyists and media figures who normalized greed-as-virtue also bear responsibility.

The 1980s cemented supply-side economics, slashing top tax rates from 70% to 28% and unleashing Wall Street speculation. Policies like deregulation and anti-union measures prioritized short-term profits over worker welfare, creating today’s gig economy and vanishing pensions. Andersen argues this era’s “winner-take-all” ethos still dictates economic policy.

• 1970s stagflation: Used to justify dismantling Keynesian economics.
• Reagan’s presidency: Accelerated tax cuts and union busting.
• Citizens United (2010): Enabled unchecked corporate political spending.
• 2008 financial crisis: Revealed consequences of deregulated markets.

Andersen condemns “hyper-selfishness” in business practices, from union suppression to environmental deregulation. He highlights how shareholder primacy—prioritizing stock prices over employee welfare—hollowed out industries and communities. The book argues this model fuels inequality and threatens democracy.

While focused on diagnosing problems, Andersen advocates rebuilding labor power, taxing extreme wealth, and reversing corporate-friendly policies. He urges renewed trust in government to regulate markets and invest in public goods—a shift from 40 years of privatization.

Both books analyze America’s cultural decay: Fantasyland explores conspiracy thinking and misinformation, while Evil Geniuses tackles economic systems enabling such dysfunction. Together, they depict a nation retreating from reality and shared prosperity.

Some historians argue Andersen overstates coordination among conservatives, ignoring internal ideological conflicts. Others note minimal exploration of globalized capitalism’s role or alternatives like Nordic models. Liberals critique the book’s limited introspection about their own tactical failures.

The book’s themes resonate amid ongoing debates over AI-driven job loss, climate policy, and wealth taxes. Andersen’s warnings about unfettered corporate power align with today’s movements for antitrust enforcement and worker cooperatives. Its analysis of nostalgia politics also explains ongoing culture wars.