Running head: CLASS DOMINATION THEORY AND UNITED STATES PUBLIC POLICY

Class Domination Theory and United States Public Policy POL/443 April 9, 2012

CLASS DOMINATION THEORY AND UNITED STATES PUBLIC POLICY

Class Domination Theory and United States Public Policy The United States stands apart from many other nations, based on the Four Networks Theory of Power; military, ideological, and political power sources do not dominate the central government (Domhoff, 2010). The uncommon features that differentiate the United States from other nations reserve economic networks as a primary force in public policy formulation. Americas corporate elite combine expertise, political success, and economic power to manufacture institutionalized outcomes through distributive power (Domhoff, 2010). They are the dominant class and the focal point of Class Domination Theory (CDT). Although CDT provides a useful framework to examine a significant amount of the nations policy process, other forces compete for the central role concurrently. The rise of the ruling class, those whose fortunes depend on government power and government programs, have significant influence on national policy. Pluralism remains a virile force capable of steering outcomes on certain issues. The ruling class is distinguished by individuals whose careers depend on government channels or government money (Codevilla, 2010). Wealth is not a prerequisite; associating with the right people, displaying comity to progressive ideals, and sharing in the belief that government must solve big problems is the price of entry (Codevilla, 2010). The recent emotional manifestations of the Tea Party movement and the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) demonstrations serve as reminders that grass roots citizen action still plays an important role in policy considerations. Class Domination Theory Because wealth and education improve access to resources and opportunities, highly educated, wealthy Americans leverage opportunities at higher rates than other groups. By sustaining wealth and through self-assimilation these success rates are perpetual. Consequently,

CLASS DOMINATION THEORY AND UNITED STATES PUBLIC POLICY

wealthy Americans rise to private sector leadership positions more often than other groups and are pursue government roles or elected office at higher rates. Because corporate wealth is a primary source of creating and sustaining wealth, wealthy Americans link to corporations through high ownership levels, leadership positions, and board membership (Domhoff, 2010). They also rise to leadership roles in nonprofit organizations that support corporate interests. With established leadership roles in the private and public sector, wealthy Americans overly represent the policy planning networks that include corporate leadership, think-tanks, interest groups, and government leaders (Cey, 2006). Consequently, wealthy American interests have significant say in legislative and regulatory formulation. The dominant class wields this influence to forge trade agreements, tax policy, ant-labor, and other policies that benefit their class. The Wall Street bailouts of 2008 and 2009 are recent examples. Rate reductions in personal income tax rates, capital gains tax rates, and dividend tax rates are examples that span the Reagan, Clinton, G.W. Bush presidencies (Gramm & McMillin, 2012). The Ruling Class Despite the obvious power achieved by wealthy, educated, Americans with deep ties to corporation the ruling class wields significant influence and frequently checks Domhoffs dominant class. The ruling class consists of progressive forces that believe government solutions are superior to private sector solutions; they believe the managerial expertise embedded in government is superior to the decision-making ability of the public (Codevilla, 2010). Ruling class elites rise, not through wealth distribution, but bureaucratic acumen, ideological purity, and effective management of resources between like-minded groups. They link directly to government positions or institutions that survive via government money. Like the dominant class, the ruling class grooms leaders, provide them with opportunities, place them in interest

CLASS DOMINATION THEORY AND UNITED STATES PUBLIC POLICY

group leadership positions, and select them to run for office. They are regular candidates for top agency posts. For example, current cabinet members of the Obama administration, Geithner, Sebelius, Duncan, and Johnson never worked in the private sector (Codevilla, 2010). They gained experience through ruling class pathways. Contrary to the claim that the dominant class successfully influences policy outcomes favorable to their class, the ruling class regularly impedes their path and establishes new roads. The recent moratorium on oil drilling and refusal to open new federal lands for energy exploration is one example. The onerous regulation on new coal plants is another. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the National Labor Relations Board ruling to prevent Boeing to build a plant in North Carolina are other recent examples. Pluralistic Power American citizens continue to wield significant influence in public policy. The rise of the Tea Party movement and the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) demonstrations are quintessential examples of American grass roots networking and citizen activism. The Tea Party movement, in particular, regularly demonstrates the ability to affect primaries, elections, and legislative outcomes. The energy, emotion, and strategies of the group helped flip the balance of power in the House in the 2010 mid-year elections. Interest groups allow individual Americans the opportunity to amplify his or her voice through a group of like-minded citizens. Organized labor, consumer groups, retiree groups, and small business groups are some examples. For example, the National Federation of Independent Business played a formidable role in challenging the PPACA in the federal court and Supreme Court case (White, 2012). The group gave voice to thousands of small business owners. Indeed, pluralism in America regularly checks the dominant class and the ruling class.

CLASS DOMINATION THEORY AND UNITED STATES PUBLIC POLICY

Conclusion Examinations of group theory in American politics must include consideration of Domhoffs class domination theory. Wealthy, educated Americans have a much higher percentage of leadership roles in the public and private sector than their percentage of the population. The groups leadership is ubiquitous but its ability to influence policy outcomes may not match Domhoffs claims. The ruling class regularly checks the dominant class. The rise of the ruling class runs parallel to the expansion of federal government and the ability of agencies and departments to formulate policy and regulation. These policies often frustrate corporate interests. The pluralistic power of American citizens manifests in interest group formation, association formation, and the unique ability of like-minded citizens to unite quickly and speak with an influential voice. The Tea Party movement and OWS demonstrations serve as recent reminders for academics or government officials that discount American pluralism.

CLASS DOMINATION THEORY AND UNITED STATES PUBLIC POLICY

References Cey, J. (2006, May 5). Class domination theory. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com Codevilla, A. M. (2010, July/August). America's ruling class - and the perils of revolution. The American Spectator, 43(6), 18 - 36. Domhoff, G. W. (2010). Who Rules America? Challenges to Corporate and Class Domination (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Gramm, P., & McMillin, S. (2012, April 6). The real causes of income inequality. The Wall Street Journal, 259(80), 13. White, A. J. (2012, March 26). Withou precedent. The Weekly Standard, 17(27), 22- 28.