Fascism on the Rise Archives - KDA Keeping Democracy Alive Podcast & Radio Show · Burt Cohen

Is Corporatocracy Unstoppable?

·59 min·1 clip

Nazi party was bankrupt until German corporations funded them with millions.

This episode of Keeping Democracy Alive features host Burt Cohen interviewing law professor and Brennan Center fellow Chara Torres-Spelliscy about her book "Corporatocracy." Torres-Spelliscy argues that American democracy is being deliberately undermined, not inherently failing. She details how corporate political spending directly enabled the Nazi Party's rise in 1933, citing Nuremberg trial transcripts showing German industrialists funded Hitler after an anti-democracy speech. In the U.S., she notes that 25 states allow corporations to give directly to state candidates, bypassing federal restrictions like the Tillman Act. She explains "dark money" as untraceable political spending, often laundered through nonprofits like 501(c)(4)s, estimating $2.8 billion in such spending since the Citizens United decision. The episode examines modern examples, including corporate PACs and super PACs, and how entities like the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) received corporate funds before the January 6th insurrection. Torres-Spelliscy reveals that many corporations pledged to stop funding the "sedition caucus" but later contributed nearly $150 million to them. She criticizes the WinRed platform for its "money bomb" tactic of pre-checked recurring donations and discusses the legal controversy of using campaign funds, like Trump's, for personal criminal defense. The FTX scandal is highlighted as an example of illegal corporate contributions and straw donors. Historical parallels are drawn to the Credit Mobilier scandal of the Gilded Age and the Teapot Dome scandal, showing a long tradition of corporate-political corruption. A surprising insight is that Citizens United's lesser-known ruling actually affirms the constitutionality of campaign finance disclosure, contrary to popular belief. Torres-Spelliscy emphasizes the "democracy litmus test," urging voters and consumers to hold corporations accountable by scrutinizing their political spending. The tone is urgent and educational, blending historical analysis with current events to sound an alarm. Listeners interested in political finance, ethical consumerism, and protecting democratic institutions will find this compelling, while those seeking a light or optimistic discussion may find it too dense or alarming.

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