The novel received endorsements from Anthony Burgess and Milton Friedman and was entered into the Libertarian Futurist Society's Prometheus Hall of Fame in 1989.

The story begins with the United States collapsing economically and the government's agents struggling to keep their power after central banks over-inflated the money supply.

Elliot learns his father has faked his death to escape arrest by the government agents who are detaining "radicals" accused of worsening the economic crisis.

Elliot becomes acquainted with the Revolutionary Agorist Cadre, an organization plotting the end of the government agents by means of counter-economics.

This fails to avert economic collapse, causing the private sector – unions, syndicates, and individuals outside of these organizations – to control the old infrastructure.