The Barred Door: Money and Public Office

The Barred Door: Money and Public Office

There is overwhelming evidence that political power is a class phenomenon in America. From the beginning of the Republic, federal officeholders and most state officials have been drawn from the professional upper-middle-income class of white, Anglo-Saxon males.’ While the civil-rights and women’s movements have modestly increased the representation of minorities and women in high public office, it is still the preserve of the well-educated and well...