American Oligarchy

The Permanent Political Class

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Economic Policy, History, Americas, United States
Cover of the book American Oligarchy by Ron Formisano, University of Illinois Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ron Formisano ISBN: 9780252099878
Publisher: University of Illinois Press Publication: September 27, 2017
Imprint: University of Illinois Press Language: English
Author: Ron Formisano
ISBN: 9780252099878
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Publication: September 27, 2017
Imprint: University of Illinois Press
Language: English

A permanent political class has emerged on a scale unprecedented in our nation 's history. Its self-dealing, nepotism, and corruption contribute to rising inequality. Its reach extends from the governing elite throughout nongovernmental institutions. Aside from constituting an oligarchy of prestige and power, it enables the creation of an aristocracy of massive inherited wealth that is accumulating immense political power. In a muckraking tour de force reminiscent of Lincoln Steffens, Upton Sinclair, and C. Wright Mills, American Oligarchy demonstrates the way the corrupt culture of the permanent political class extends down to the state and local level. Ron Formisano breaks down the ways this class creates economic inequality and how its own endemic corruption infects our entire society. Formisano delves into the work of not just politicians but lobbyists, consultants, appointed bureaucrats, pollsters, celebrity journalists, behind-the-scenes billionaires, and others. Their shameless pursuit of wealth and self-aggrandizement, often at taxpayer expense, rewards channeling the flow of income and wealth to elites. That inequality in turn has choked off social mobility and made a joke of meritocracy. As Formisano shows, these forces respond to the oligarchy 's power and compete to bask in the presence of the .01 percent. They also exacerbate the dangerous instability of an American democracy divided between extreme wealth and extreme poverty.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A permanent political class has emerged on a scale unprecedented in our nation 's history. Its self-dealing, nepotism, and corruption contribute to rising inequality. Its reach extends from the governing elite throughout nongovernmental institutions. Aside from constituting an oligarchy of prestige and power, it enables the creation of an aristocracy of massive inherited wealth that is accumulating immense political power. In a muckraking tour de force reminiscent of Lincoln Steffens, Upton Sinclair, and C. Wright Mills, American Oligarchy demonstrates the way the corrupt culture of the permanent political class extends down to the state and local level. Ron Formisano breaks down the ways this class creates economic inequality and how its own endemic corruption infects our entire society. Formisano delves into the work of not just politicians but lobbyists, consultants, appointed bureaucrats, pollsters, celebrity journalists, behind-the-scenes billionaires, and others. Their shameless pursuit of wealth and self-aggrandizement, often at taxpayer expense, rewards channeling the flow of income and wealth to elites. That inequality in turn has choked off social mobility and made a joke of meritocracy. As Formisano shows, these forces respond to the oligarchy 's power and compete to bask in the presence of the .01 percent. They also exacerbate the dangerous instability of an American democracy divided between extreme wealth and extreme poverty.

More books from University of Illinois Press

Cover of the book Health Equity in Brazil by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Sewing the Fabric of Statehood by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Dockworker Power by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Curious Encounters with the Natural World by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Ladies of the Ticker by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Building Womanist Coalitions by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Somalis Abroad by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Los Romeros by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book J. G. Ballard by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Peruvian Lives across Borders by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Leaders of Their Race by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Latina/o Midwest Reader by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Cemeteries of Illinois by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Gone to the Country by Ron Formisano
Cover of the book Building the Black Metropolis by Ron Formisano
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy