For-Profit Democracy: Why the Government Is Losing the Trust of Rural America

Loka Ashwood explores the unsettling dynamics of for-profit partnerships that have emerged between government entities and private corporations, particularly focusing on their impact on rural communities. Through a thorough sociological lens, she investigates how these alliances have eroded trust in governmental institutions among rural populations, leading to a sense of disenfranchisement and disillusionment.

Ashwood delves into the consequences of prioritizing profit over the needs of citizens, highlighting stories and data that reflect the growing rift between rural America and its governing bodies. By emphasizing the importance of restoring faith in democratic processes, the work stands as a crucial call to reevaluate the current trajectory of political-economic interactions and their implications for the future of community engagement and trust.