Who Rules America?

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Who Rules America? was a 1967 book by psychologist and sociologist G. William Domhoff, which argued for the existence of an American upper class. The book ranked 12th in a list of 50 best sellers in sociology between 1950 and 1995.[1]

Domhoff argued in the book that a power elite wielded power in America through its support of think-tanks, foundations, commissions, and academic departments.[2] Additionally, he argued that the elite controlled institutions through overt authority, not covert influence.[3]

In his introduction, Domhoff wrote that the book was inspired by the work of four men: sociologists E. Digby Baltzell, C. Wright Mills, economist Paul Sweezy, and political scientist Robert A. Dahl.[4]

Reviewing the book for the Journal of Politics, Kenneth E. Miller concluded:

The book is provocative and deserves to be read. Unfortunately, its lack of focus and rigor limits its value for students of power and its uses.[3]

Extracts

Business Advisory Council, Extract from Who Rules America | Carnegie Corporation | Committee for Economic Development | Council on Foreign Relations, extract from Who Rules America | Danforth Foundation | Ford Foundation, extract from Who Rules America | Foreign Policy Association, excerpt from Who Rules America | National Advertising Council | National Association of Manufacturers | Pew Memorial Trust | Rockefeller Foundation, extract from Who Rules America

Notes

  1. WhoRulesAmerica.net.
  2. World of Sociology. November 2000.  Gale . ISBN 9780787649654.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Kenneth E. Miller Who Rules America? By G. William Domhoff.  . pp. 565–567
  4. G.William Domhoff Who Rules America?.   . ISBN 0139583637.