White-Collar Government

This book explores the significant socioeconomic divide between American politicians and the citizens they represent, highlighting how this disparity influences policy decisions and advocating for reforms to enhance political representation.

White-Collar Government by Nicholas Carnes explores the significant socioeconomic divide between American politicians and the citizens they represent. The book highlights that eight of the last twelve presidents were millionaires upon taking office, a trend that extends to other branches of government, including the Supreme Court, where all justices are graduates of elite institutions like Harvard or Yale. This disparity raises critical questions about representation and the implications of having a predominantly affluent political class.

Carnes argues that the socioeconomic backgrounds of legislators profoundly influence their perspectives and decision-making processes. With a majority of politicians lacking experience in working-class jobs, the policies they enact often favor the interests of the wealthy. This skewed representation results in a political landscape where the tax rates set by the affluent and the minimum wage determined by white-collar professionals do not adequately reflect the needs and realities of the working class. The author emphasizes that this disconnect contributes to a systemic crisis of representation in American politics.

To address these issues, Carnes advocates for a multifaceted approach, including reforms in campaign financing and the encouragement of diverse candidate backgrounds within political parties. He asserts that if we aspire to have a government that genuinely serves the people, we must actively work toward a system that is representative of all social classes. White-Collar Government challenges conventional beliefs about political inequality and urges readers to consider the importance of true representation and accountability in governance.