There is a mounting sense that our political-economic system is no longer working, but what is the core problem and how do we remedy it? With the characteristic clarity and passion that have made him a central civil voice, Robert B. Reich shows how wealth and power have combined to install an oligarchy and undermine democracy. Reich exposes the myths of meritocracy, national competitiveness, corporate social responsibility, the “free market,” and the political “center,” all of which are used by those at the top to divert attention from their takeover of the system and to justify their accumulation of even more wealth and power. In demystifying the current system, Reich reveals where power actually lies and how it is wielded, and invites us to reclaim power and remake the system for all.

With the warmth and lucidity that have made him one of our most important public voices, Robert Reich makes the case for a generous, inclusive understanding of the American project, centering on the moral obligations of citizenship. Rooting his argument in everyday reality and common sense, Reich demonstrates the existence of a common good, and argues that it is what defines a society or a nation. Societies and nations undergo virtuous cycles that reinforce and build the common good, as well as vicious cycles that undermine it. Over the course of the past five decades, Reich contends, America has been in a slowly accelerating vicious cycle–one that can and must be reversed. In order to change course, we must first weigh what really matters, and how we as a country should relate to honor, shame, patriotism, truth, and the meaning of leadership.

For Robert Reich, the most crucial debate we’ll see in the coming years won’t be the traditional debate between left and right. Instead, it will be between authoritarian populism and democratic reform. In the face of widening economic inequality and insecurity, lagging wage growth, and technologies that are already eliminating vast numbers of jobs, many feel powerless and voiceless, and believe that the major institutions of society are no longer functioning in ways that benefit most people. Reich explains the solutions presented by authoritarian populism, which uses xenophobic and anti-immigrant sentiment scapegoats for existing ills, and the more comprehensive and long-term solutions that would emerge from genuine democratic reform. Only through the latter, Reich argues, do we have the potential to overhaul a broken political-economic system.

The global economy provides ample opportunity and immense risks both in America and abroad. While opportunity seems to be growing at an unprecedented rate, with it come daunting questions about the future of America’s economic position on the global stage. Robert Reich explains the forces that are driving the growth of the global economy and draws on his years of experience to map out what our globalized future may look like.

In a world where news seems to never stop breaking, it can be hard to know where to start when seeking political change. Robert Reich cuts through the constant noise to highlight what he perceives to be the fundamental issues in America today, and details which policy changes matter the most in a time where numerous issues compete for our attention.

Inspired by his documentaries, Inequality for All and Saving Capitalism, this speech features Robert Reich exploring the choices facing America through an examination of the widening inequalities of income, wealth, and political power that have characterized the last thirty years. Reich expertly shows how even in a contentious political climate, restoring equal opportunity is a goal that defies partisanship, making it relevant and urgent for all Americans.