Historian's Book Traces US Anti‑Equality Movements from Founding Era to Tech Elite

Historian Kim Phillips‑Fein’s new book, *Country of Lords*, was released as the United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The work surveys a lineage of American figures who have resisted the egalitarian ideals enshrined in the founding document, tracing the struggle from early statesman John Adams to contemporary tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel. By labeling its subjects as Neo‑Aristocrats, Social Darwinists, and Tech Utopians, Phillips‑Fein argues that the fight against equality has been a persistent undercurrent in American history.

The book’s concise, hard‑hitting narrative arrives at a moment of stark social and economic disparity. Phillips‑Fein notes that Elon Musk’s emergence as a trillionaire has intensified public discomfort, evoking both fear and anger about the future of wealth concentration. She frames this contemporary phenomenon within a broader historical pattern of elite dominance, suggesting that the current debate over inequality is part of a long‑running contest over who holds power in the nation.

In sum, *Country of Lords* offers a sweeping historical perspective on the forces that have challenged the principle that “all men are created equal.” By linking past and present, Phillips‑Fein invites readers to reconsider how the legacy of inequality shapes America’s present and future.