The Great Betrayal: How American Sovereignty and Social Justice Are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy

The Great Betrayal presents Pat Buchanan's critique of free trade policies and globalization in late 20th century America. Buchanan examines the shift from historical American protectionism to the free trade ideology that emerged after World War II. Through historical analysis and economic data, Buchanan makes a case that free trade agreements and global market integration have harmed American workers and industry. He traces the roots of American economic nationalism from Alexander Hamilton through the Republican presidencies of the early 1900s. The book challenges conventional wisdom about free trade's benefits and argues for a return to protectionist policies. Buchanan incorporates statistics, historical examples, and policy analysis to support his position. The work stands as a manifesto for economic nationalism and raises fundamental questions about the relationship between global commerce and national sovereignty. Its themes of populism versus globalization remain relevant to current debates about international trade and American economic policy.

Readers find Buchanan makes detailed arguments against free trade and globalization, though many note his nationalism can overshadow economic analysis. His writing style receives praise for accessibility despite complex subject matter. Liked: - Clear historical examples and data supporting protectionist policies - Analysis of NAFTA's impact on American manufacturing - Discussion of sovereignty issues in global trade Disliked: - Several readers point out dated statistics and examples - Some view his nationalist stance as fear-mongering - Critics note selective use of economic data that fits his narrative Ratings: Amazon: 4.3/5 (126 reviews) Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Thorough research but conclusions seem predetermined" - Goodreads reviewer "Makes strong case for economic nationalism but overlooks benefits of trade" - Amazon reviewer "Important perspective on globalization's downsides, even if you disagree" - LibraryThing review

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🌎 The book was published in 1998 during the height of debates about NAFTA and globalization, reaching #7 on the New York Times Best Seller list 📚 Patrick Buchanan wrote this book after his second unsuccessful run for the Republican presidential nomination in 1996, where trade protectionism was a major part of his platform 💼 The author draws parallels between modern free trade policies and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff debate of 1930, arguing that protectionism historically helped build America's industrial strength 🏭 The book challenges the consensus among mainstream economists by arguing that America's 19th-century economic success was built on protectionist policies championed by leaders like Alexander Hamilton 🗽 Buchanan's economic nationalism in "The Great Betrayal" influenced later political movements, including some of the trade and economic policies promoted during Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign