Includes bibliographical references (pages 167-182) and index.

The origins of competitive market theory -- Corporate oligopoly -- Corporate hierarchy -- The political power of the oligarchy -- Globalism -- Epilogue.

Privatization, the tax revolt amd globalism have all served the interests of a wealth-owning minority to the detriment of the vast majority, and it is free market theory that has masked the control of co-operative economic activity by wealth-owners. Beginning with the roots of market theory in the work of Mandeville, Locke and Smith, this work contrasts the myth of the individual with the reality of the modern corporation, with oligopoly and with oligarchic domination of social life. Reaganism, Thatcherism, Mulroneyism nd other neoconservative propositions and prejudices are examined, as is the assault on Keynsianism. The book makes a case for an alternative of social ownership, individual initiative and market forces in which economic democracy would overcome the self-centred greed of corporate capitalism.