Deceit, arrogance, greed and a pervasive sense of invulnerability have all led to the near ruination of our nation’s financial system. 

Van Schalkwyk’s research into the proprietary giants on Wall Street gives the reader a true picture of how the nation was duped by those who shared a deceitful political agenda that has threatened, and continues to threaten, the democracy of the United States. 

After the biggest state intervention in United States history, the origins of what led to the crisis are becoming more and more clear—our nation’s politicians, leaders, the media and corporate bosses have conspired to undermine an adherence to constitutional values and the commitment to the principle of individual freedom. 

In fifteen meticulously researched and skillfully written chapters, Van Schalkwyk analyzes the vulnerabilities of society which lead inevitably to the equivalent vulnerability in the democratic process. Is society not, by its nature, susceptible to political humbug? 

Does the democratic process have the capacity to overcome the unmanageable chaos that the nation’s politicians and leaders have created?  Has the material society duped its participants into a set of false and insupportable values that are only now being exposed, and that will likely cause greater loss than can be imagined?                    

Panic for Democracy takes an uncompromising look at the destructive role of activist pressure groups and the potential tyranny of their ideologies, and of the resultant establishment, by democratic means, of undemocratic and illiberal institutions of authority.  All of these have contributed to the broad sense of entitlement that now threatens the democracy. Van Schalkwyk’s wry humour has rendered a highly readable and entertaining account of what will, in time, be regarded as the greatest drama of modern times.   

 

About the Author



Rex Van Schalkwyk has written numerous articles and published two books. He is an advocate and former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa and is active in commercial enterprises. Mr. Van Schalkwyk is a student of international finance and lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.