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George MonbiotGeorge Monbiot
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The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came To Control Your Life) Hardcover – 20 August 2024
by George Monbiot (Author), Peter Hutchison (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (530)
A short anatomy of neoliberalism that shatters its founding myths and points the way to an alternative system
We live under an ideology that preys on every aspect of our lives- our education and our jobs; our healthcare and our leisure; our relationships and our mental wellbeing; the planet we inhabit - the very air we breathe. So pervasive has it become that, for most people, it has no name. It seems unavoidable, like a natural law.
But trace it back to its roots, and we discover that it is neither inevitable nor immutable. It was conceived, propagated, and then concealed by the powerful few. Our task is to bring it into the light-and to build a new system that is worth fighting for.
Neoliberalism. Do you know what it is?
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224 pages
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Capitalism is an economic system founded on colonial looting. It operates on a constantly shifting and self-consuming frontier, on which both state and powerful private interests use their laws, backed by the threat of violence, to turn shared resources into exclusive property, and to transform natural wealth, labour and money into commodities that can be accumulated.
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Capitalism is not, as its defenders insist, a system designed to distribute wealth, but one designed to capture and concentrate it. The fairy tale that capitalism tells about itself – that you become rich through hard work and enterprise – is the greatest propaganda coup in human history.
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What is neoliberalism? It’s an ideology whose central belief is that competition is the defining feature of humankind. It tells us we are greedy and selfish, but that greed and selfishness light the path to social improvement, generating the wealth that will eventually enrich us all.
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About the Author
George Monbiot is an author, Guardian columnist and environmental campaigner. His best-selling books include Feral- Rewilding the Land, Sea and Human Life and Heat- How We Can Stop the Planet Burning; his latest is Regenesis- Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet.
George cowrote the concept album Breaking the Spell of Loneliness with musician Ewan McLennan, and has made a number of viral videos. One of them, adapted from his 2013 TED talk, How Wolves Change Rivers, has been viewed on YouTube over 40 million times. Another, on Natural Climate Solutions, which he co-presented with Greta Thunberg, has been watched over 60 million times.
Peter Hutchison is a critically acclaimed filmmaker, NY Times bestselling author, educator and activist.
He directed & produced Requiem for the American Dream- ft. Noam Chomsky (2105) - an exploration of wealth inequity in America. A NY Times Critics Pick and #1-selling doc on iTunes, the bestselling companion book has been translated into 2-dozen languages (Seven Stories Press).
His award-winning films include- Healing From Hate (2020), Devil Put the Coal in the Ground (2022), and The Cure For Hate- Bearing Witness to Auschwitz (2023).
Product details
Publisher : Allen Lane
Publication date : 20 August 2024
Edition : 1st
Language : English
Print length : 224 pages
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From Australia
the big pen
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and inspiring
Reviewed in Australia on 3 February 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
As you would expect from Monbiot, a well researched, meticulously documented and a passionate, persuasive polemic calling on us all to save ourselves from Neoliberalism.
A clear explanation of how we got here and some pointers on ways to mobilise the power of the masses to make democracy democratic once more.
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From other countries
Arthur Adrian Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars Neoliberalismo peligro
Reviewed in Spain on 6 August 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Un libro brillante, gracias
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Perspective Changing
Reviewed in the United States on 3 December 2025
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This was a great read and fueled many of my future discussions regarding society with those who hold opposing views. It has left me with a desire to double down on my altruistic nature, rather than allow it to wane. Speak. Their. Names!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening and essential
Reviewed in Germany on 14 October 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Title: Eye-opening and essential
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Invisible Doctrine brilliantly exposes how neoliberal ideas quietly shaped our world. Monbiot and Hutchison turn abstract economics into a gripping story of power, ideology, and consequence. Sharp, clear, and deeply researched — it changes how you see everything around you.
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Raffaele N.
5.0 out of 5 stars To be read
Reviewed in Italy on 7 January 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Really interesting and well written. The authors dont just expose their points of view, but they show data and facts and then they make you understand something about Neoliberalism. It has to be read and reccomended to others.
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A M Flynn
5.0 out of 5 stars A eye opening must read for all, Neoliberals are todays Wizard of Oz!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 November 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Having heard this book mentioned on a podcast, I sought it out to understand what exactly Neoliberalism is. The book is mind-blowing. From the outset it explains that neoliberalism underpins all today’s crisis and issues, but few of us understand what it is. It operates by stealth, is fueled by the ultra-wealthy (in a Wizard of Oz style) and it thrives on a politically apathetic mass. The authors provide a vast array of examples across the full spectrum of politics, economics and society. I feel quite disgusted to think I am being played so well by these puppet masters!
They outline how the “Boom-Bust-Quit” tempo of capitalism was first applied in Madeira in the late 1400s by Portuguese colonists. To grow sugar, they needed to burn wood, when the wood ran out, the colonists left and moved on to a new island and repeated the process. Colonial capitalism was born; natural resources were stolen and ecosystems destroyed. Neoliberalism, they describe, is “capitalism on steroids” and it is destroying our planet.
Neoliberalism has been around since the 1930’s. Subscribers argue for a wholly free market with no government interference and no social economy to pay for those of less means. They proport that if the ‘wealth’ hierarchy prevails, the rich will ‘naturally’ fund the poor and the economy will ‘equalize’. To date, this has not proven to work in any form. Neoliberalism appears to be inherent everywhere. The numerous examples relayed are terrifying as they seem plausible and are very heavily referenced. The common denominator across examples is the power of Neoliberal propaganda; “One of the most powerful aspects of neoliberalism is the hopelessness it induces by persuading us that ‘there is no alternative’.
The book outlines how we are stuck in a perpetual cycle, as people are unaware this happens and/or feel powerless to do anything about it. We continue to live in a world where money is power, and it is held by the few. It infuriates me that despite our gift of human intelligence, we cannot overcome this.
The authors do present some enlightening suggestions as to how an alternative societal structure could operate, along the lines of participatory democracy. They also leaned into the psychology around that, and how people can be influenced for change. They really nail human nature with telling the right story as being path to transformation. I found this book compelling and felt a call to action upon finishing! I often feel there is little hope of changing our broken world, but this book has shown me different. I would go so far as to say this is a necessary read!
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Peter John Manolescue
5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ!
Reviewed in France on 3 June 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is the best book I've read so far this year. It's rare that the scales can fall from my eyes so completely.
I need a week to think about the ramifications before I devour it again.
Should be required reading for anyone who wants to vote in any election.
2 people found this helpful
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Reshma Noronha
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in India on 11 February 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Nice
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Bruno colmant
5.0 out of 5 stars Remarquable
Reviewed in Belgium on 21 August 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Ce livre doit être lu. Il est éclairant.
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Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read.
Reviewed in Japan on 7 January 2025
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Brilliantly written book on one of the most important subjects of our time that so few are even aware of.
Read this book. Share it far and wide.
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From other countries
mr julian s morley
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Well written and informative
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José Macaya
3.0 out of 5 stars What you say is reasonably correct, what offends is how you say it
Reviewed in Spain on 17 August 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
What he says is reasonably correct, what offends is how he says it, with a lot of disregard for the intellectual judgment of the reader, whom he seeks to teach rather than convince. Without any intention of objective analysis. It is a well-armed pamphlet, but very ideologized. I don't disagree with your diagnosis, but it's a pamphlet and not a professional analysis. It is not intended to evaluate, but to convince. He doesn't seem to respect the reader too much who doesn't accept his position. Things have generally been as he says, but I can't buy that it was all a conspiracy planned by the rich. After a coherent analysis, which conveys urgency, he makes proposals that are not convincing and are not up to the problem. He argues that current teaching gives simplistic explanations for complex systems, and that is precisely what the author does in this book.
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars An essential reading in the quest for understanding centralisation of power
Reviewed in Germany on 18 June 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
An insightful and revealing analysis of our current capitalist system in which more and more people feel disempowered, alone and more and more robbed from their soul
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Larry Constantine
5.0 out of 5 stars Bold, Brilliant, Engaging - and Enraging
Reviewed in the United States on 13 June 2024
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A MUST READ! TRIGGER WARNING: This book will make you angry, whatever your politics or position. Those toward one end of the spectrum will be angry at the exposure and characterization of their cherished agenda; those at the other end will be angry at the deception and destruction wrought by neoliberalism, whether under this or any other name.
This slim, simple, yet sophisticated book connects the dots of the dilemmas facing the modern world and traces many of them to a common collection of ideologies, practices, and policies under the often disowned banner of neoliberalism. In meticulously documented detail, the writers show how we got into contemporary crises in rising economic inequality, looming environmental disaster, and existential threats to democracy and the rule of law. But this is not merely a screed or a cry of doom. The book may not offer much in the way of answers, certainly not easy ones, but it does point in the right direction, toward an exit and a way forward.
I learned a lot from this infuriating and inspiring book. Every serious citizen should read it.
21 people found this helpful
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Luke Williams
4.0 out of 5 stars Important Testament
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is a mostly satisfactory overview of how neoliberalism and capitalism are ruining human societies, and the potential ways (albeit unlikely) of changing things for the future. Occasionally, the book is a little verbose and tends to conflate too many social issues into the same basket, but it's quite short and a thought-provoking read, as well as being important reading for anyone who cares about the future! Capitalism has ruined so much that Socialism could improve upon, but will humanity ever change?
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Ian Plenderleith
4.0 out of 5 stars Neoliberal
Reviewed in Canada on 6 July 2024
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Good, clear analysis of neoliberalism, a thing that needs more clear understanding.
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Javier Cavanilles
4.0 out of 5 stars Excelente aproximación a cómo se forjó una de las ideologías más perniciosas del siglo XX (y XXI)
Reviewed in Spain on 12 April 2025
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Una excelente introducción a los orígenes del neoliberalismo. La obra rompe uno de los principales dogmas económicos de nuestro tiempo, y que muchos economistas se niegan a aceptar: el neoliberalismo no nace por generación espontánea, no es una respuesta intelectual a un desafío real, es una ideología que sale de laboratorios de pensamiento y que no se impone por su valor, sino por el dinero invertido en él por empresarios norteamericanos como reacción al estado de Bienestar. Quizás no aporta nada excesivamente nuevo -no es exactamente así, aunque la tesis ha sido tratada en muchos libros-, pero está lleno de referencias interesantes. Además, condensa muy bien la historia del neoliberalismo y hace asequible la cuestión a gente que no esté muy familiarizada con el tema. Para los que pidan más, o se queden con ganas de más, recomiendo "Evil Geniuses" (Kurt Andersen).
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Sandy
4.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United States on 29 October 2025
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Interesting
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Philipp
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in Germany on 30 November 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Incredibly important book and it’s excellently written.
2 people found this helpful
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Kostas.
5.0 out of 5 stars You need to know their name in order to stand up to them.
Reviewed in Germany on 2 June 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
A clear and concise review of the effects of neoliberal ideology that has dominated our world for the past 40-50 years. The effects of the "be selfish it's good for the economy and thus for everyone" ideology, are incredibly far reaching in all aspects of life and can be traced to explain the moral bankruptcy, the financial bankruptcy, the epidemic of mental illness that plagues modern society, the huge levels of inequality that we witness and of course, climate collapse. There's a tipping point to all complex systems, once that's reached they break down, suddenly and irreversibly. Earth 🌎 system collapse is looming near. And it's because of the unhinged, uncontrolled greed that neoliberalism praises and provides excuses for.
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