If economic democracy were evident there would be no conflicts in personal growth. If economic democracy was a plausible system, corporate capitalism would not be an alternative. Economic equality does not exist in America. How a system like corporate capitalism will ever strengthen political equality and democracy AND reduce inequalities is nowhere near truth. Dahl's preface is not to economic democracy, but to the harsh truth's of corporate capitalism.
Taxpayers have a say in program when it fails only to take up the slack.
At the same time it this business venture profits, the American citizen will never reap those benefits. Most companies are not regulated by government policies, but the government is held accountable. He applies this phantom word to economics and politics. Most Americans recognize that the economic system is unfair. They realize this because the political system which governs this aspect is run for the benefit of the few and special interests.