Do you ever feel like there’s more going on in the world than you are led to believe? If so, you are not alone. This sense of governments engaged in secret agendas and conspiracy theories is a reality that often flies under the radar of unsuspecting citizenry. Enter the realm of the “Deep State” – a concept that emerged in the 90s and has since captured widespread attention.
“Deep State” refers to a purported faction of individuals wielding power from the shadows. They are often embedded within government or military apparatus. Deep State actors operate behind the scenes to manipulate government policies.
I first became acquainted with the idea of the Deep State when I watched Syriana (2005). The movie exposes how large corporations work in cahoots with governments and how they collectively influence international affairs.
You have similar real-life episodes—from the Watergate scandal to Edward Snowden’s NSA disclosures, and Julian Assange’s leaks. These incidents are enough to suggest that such political intrigues are not merely fictional.
If you want to widen your perspective about the Deep State and how the Deep State manipulates democracy, there are several insightful books available for you to consider.
In this blog post, I am recommending 7 Deep State books. Regardless of where you stand – whether you’re a die-hard conspiracy theorist or a steadfast skeptic – these books will challenge your notions about how the world works. Let’s dive right in:
1. The Deep State: The Fall of the Constitution and the Rise of a Shadow Government (2016)
Mike Lofgren, a former congressional staff member, gives an insider’s perspective on how the U.S. government operates beyond the eyes of the public. He argues that a nexus exists between government and industry that effectively governs the U.S. outside the traditional democratic process.
This book is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to understand the basic premises of the deep state in American politics.
2. Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World (2014)
Written by Tom Engelhardt, Shadow Government exposes the vast military-industrial complex that operates in the shadows.
Engelhardt argues that we are transitioning from a “national security state” into more of a “national surveillance state.”
According to him, this isn’t really about protecting the citizens from terrorism. It’s more about the government having the capability to monitor everyone all the time, every single day.
3. The American Deep State: Big Money, Big Oil, and the Struggle for U.S. Democracy (2017)
Professor Peter Dale Scott has been sounding the alarm for 40 years. He says that the U.S. was never truly a democracy but a federal republic—a distinction lost since 1947 when the National Security Act turned the OSS into the CIA.
He links current events to a history of government lawlessness that began with FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover in 1936. This disregard for the law escalated in the 1980s under Cheney and Rumsfeld’s nuclear survival plans. He suggests that once you grasp the deeper structures behind the ‘terror war,’ you’ll no longer need the daily news.
The updated edition of his book is rich with citations, making it an essential read for those looking to understand the underlying forces at play.
4. The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade (2011)
Another must-read book that gives insights into global arms trade and politics. Andrew Feinstein exposes the whole nexus between the governments and arms manufacturers.
Many often cite The Shadow World for the incredible research that has gone into it.
It’s a crucial read for anyone interested in how arms sales are used as tools of foreign policy, often with devastating consequences.
5. Surveillance Valley: The Secret Military History of the Internet (2018)
Levine’s book offers a startling look at how states are weaponizing the Internet against their own citizens and foreign governments. It’s as if we are living in the nation of Oceania.
Those who want to dismiss the book as the work of a conspiracy theorist would deny that the US military establishment funds Tor, and that this is somehow irrelevant.
But if you read the book, you will find a well-researched counter-narrative – a third version of the story most people don’t know.
6. Putin’s People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took On the West (2020)
The author of this highly engaging book, Catherine Belton reported from Moscow for the Financial Times during Putin’s rise.
She shows how Putin and a small circle of mostly former KGB friends took control of Russia. Several oligarchs with shady pasts from the USSR’s collapse helped them.
She details how Russia’s intelligence agencies, under Vladimir Putin, have consolidated power within the country and extended their influence abroad. This book is crucial for understanding Russia’s geopolitical maneuvers in modern times.
7. This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race (2023)
Winner of the Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award, Nicole Perlroth’s book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the cyberweapons race and its implications.
She explains that both government agencies and private hackers constantly scan the internet to find ways to hack into computers and devices connected to the internet.
The motives are different, but you are the vulnerable party. The book reads like a spy novel as it paints the terrifying scenario of real global warfare taking place in our digital realm.
Conclusion
Each book on this list of 7 Deep State books sheds light on the murky waters of covert activities and international interference. They offer invaluable evidence on the forces operating behind the political facades.
By exploring these texts, readers gain knowledge and the analytical tools needed to understand the complexities of global governance in the 21st century.
Whether you wish to uncover the hidden forces within your own country or understand the global impact of covert operations, these seven deep state books provide a comprehensive base for your journey into the shadowy domain of world politics.
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