Why do even the most progressive candidates that get elected cannot do and implement the changes they promised in their campaign? Partly, it’s because those who get to power were supported through legalized bribery (i.e., lobbying), which greatly limits what they stand for and what they will do while in office. But most of the power that corporations and capital have and use to put pressure on to limit politicians come from other means. The reality is that societies are structured in classes, and the capitalist and working class have opposite interests. Capitalist, Chibber argues, are not bad people (at least they don’t need not be), they simply respond to economic and market pressures. From capital strike (when corporations withhold capital and investment until governments implements ‘friendly’ policies), capital power can make even very powerful governments yield. Levers of power argues that Obama could not implement any meaningful, progressive reforms because of heavy pressure from corporations. For instance, the corporate finance system was hoarding trillions of dollars in 2009. Apple was hoarding 31 % of their revenues and General Motors 50% (‘economists’ recommend keeping only 2%). In order to break this capital strike, Obama negotiated tax breaks, subsidies and regulations, nothing that voters wanted nor that he promised in the campaign. Importantly, and opposite to common wisdom that protesting against governments are the most efficient ways to bring up changes, the books conclude that harming economic areas and infrastructure, taking action like boycotts, strikes, blockades, and sustained disruptions that meaningfully impact economic flows are the most efficient ways. Even when these are not directed to governments, the capitalist class can force the government no negotiate with strikers. Also check out these videos from Vivek Chibber in the Jacobin YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Vy7OrHR50&ab_channel=Jacobin