That most of his conclusions reflect the conservative theories of the Austrian school of economics seems only to be incidental to his observations. O'Rourke shows he is aware that economic application has a significant influence on society. Witness Sweden's Minister for Consumer, Religious, Youth and Sports Affairs. Socialism is inherently totalitarian in philosophy. He is correct.
Poor people make much easier targets for a demagogue.
It is a keen observation. History has shown that free societies have been eroded and eventually washed away by the demagoguery of politicians calling for the redistribution of wealth. It happened to the Roman Republic in the First Century AD, culminating in the rise of the Empire. It is happening now with our own system. If the book has a flaw, it is that it lacks an index.