Book Description
Drawing from a power elite perspective and the latest empirical data, Domhoff’s classic text is an invaluable tool for teaching students about how power operates in U.S. society. Domhoff argues that the owners and top-level managers in large income-producing properties are far and away the dominant figures in the U.S. Their corporations, banks, and agribusinesses come together as a corporate community that dominates the federal government in Washington and their real estate, construction, and land development companies form growth coalitions that dominate most local governments. By providing empirical evidence for his argument, Domhoff encourages students to think critically about the power structure in American society and its implications for our democracy.
Customer Reviews:
No significant diff. between 4th and 5th edition.......2007-08-23
I would have given this a 5 star except there is no big difference between this edition and the previous one. We use this book in our econ class, students are told it's ok to buy either edition.
An Indispensable Exposé on How Our Democracy REALLY Works!.......2006-05-13
Professor Domhoff poses (and answers) these questions:
- Is there a wealthy class in America? If so, do they connect in any empirical way with huge corporations, financial institutions, and large agribusinesses?
- How can a highly competitive group of corporate leaders cooperate enough to work their common will in the political and policy arenas?
- How is it possible for these groups to exert so much influence in a supposedly free and democratic society?
The answers to these questions are not secret, but neither are they everyday news. With the aid of sociological and empirical studies, Domhoff describes the extensive interlocking relationships between the very wealthy class, huge corporations, trade organizations, policy planning organizations, think tanks, and the many ways they influence (and even merge with) our government. After reading this book, one might wonder if the welfare of the common people is ever taken into account in government decisions. And that is the point. Indeed, Domhoff clearly demonstrates that most policy battles in government, though cloaked in rhetoric about the general welfare, are actually fights among different moneyed and powerful interests when their usual interrelationships and consensus building organizations (above) are unable to produce a united front.
For a focus on how corporate power has gained control in diverse policy areas in Congress, see recently published (5/1/06) Hostile Takeover: How Big Money and Corruption Conquered Our Government -- and How We Take It Back by David Sirota. With unusual clarity, Sirota's book also lays bare the myths and lies that corporations and bought-off politicians use to mask the self-serving nature of policies and to promote public acquiescence. Another excellent book, Captive State: The Corporate Takeover of Britain by George Monbiot, underscores the worldwide nature of this problem.
This book also has an informative website at www.whorulesamerica.net.
Picks up the baton of C. Wright Mills.......2006-01-27
This is a tremendously well-written examination of the structure of power in America. It continues the ideas of Mills but with more of the empirical and less of the theoretical. A MUST-READ for anyone who claims to know how America is ruled. Simply stated--if this book doesn't get your blood boiling and move you to action then you have no right to complain about the present state of the American political system.
Essential reading to understand power in America.......2005-02-23
In this book, Domhoff investigates where the power lies in America. He defines the 3 indicators of power, 'Who Benefits', 'Who Governs', and 'Who Wins' as the basis for determining who holds power. At the end of Chapter 1, Domhoff briefly summarizes the main points of the book:
"Using membership network analysis, this book attempts to show there is a corporate community (Chapter 2) that is the basis for a social upper class (Chapter 3). This intertwined corporate community and social upper class have developed a policy-planning network (Chapter 4) and an opinion-shaping network (Chapter 5) that give them the means to win a majority of seats in the electoral process (Chapter 6) and to shape the policies of interest to them within the federal government (Chapter 7)."
The arguments made here are very well researched, with quantitative analysis of how corporate leaders are linked with each other through their common elite socialization and self-interests, corporate directorship positions, foundation trustee status, policy planning groups, and government positions.
Domhoff gives the subject of power an honest and insightful treatment. After reading this book, I can't imagine a more logical and convincing description of how the unequal distribution of power in America is maintained, and further consolidated. Given its $30 price tag for less than 300 page paperback, I'd check the library before buying this one. Still, highly recommended!
Customer Reviews:
A ruling oligarchy.......2004-07-23
There is a minor shift in this new version of G. William Domhoff's magisterial analysis of the US power system.
He adds 'top-level managers' to the power elite, which is composed of the owners of large income-producing properties. He adds also one more question to the three ones quoted in his former book: who shines?
Those income-producing properties are, on the national level, big corporations, banks and agribusinesses and, locally, real estate, construction and land development companies.
The owners and top-level managers constitute at best 1 % of the US population and have an enormous share of all income and wealth in the US.
G. William Domhoff shows clinically how they defend their interests through a small cluster of people and institutions ( a social upper class, a corporate community and a policy-formation network). Individual members (the oligarchy) of the upper class and the corporate community are involved in the policy-formation network. See, as an example, the members of the president G.W. Bush government.
The power elite dominates the two major political parties and the federal government through a coalition of Republicans and rightist Southern Democrats.
Concerning the general public, G. Wiliam Domhoff remarks that it has little or no influence except in times of unpopular wars or domestic social upheavals. He sees no change in the actual situation and predicts that the corporate-conservative coalition is most likely to prevail for a long time.
G. William Domhoff's arguments are extremely powerful. Therefore, this book is an essential read for the comprehension of the political/economical functioning of the US power system.
Ruling class - hidebound thinking.......2001-07-18
A tedious and shrill book which supposes that as soon as you have achieved some measure of success and/or wealth, you join a "ruling class." The language is instructive, as the author is still working with European (and Marxist) models. Kings, Queens, Dukes, Viscounts must haunt his soul. Anyone with comfort is suddenly "ruling" and part of a "class."
This book should be covered in tie-dye.
Ignorance is Bliss.......2001-02-21
Words are simply inadequate. This is the best book I never read. Amen.
An X-ray Film of Our Society.......1999-10-07
Clearly shows how the American society works, exposes the control of the upper crust - and never slides into the swamp of conspiracy theorists. Every serious student of our society must read this book!
The truth about government not taught in civics class!.......1999-07-23
I have read the author's two previous versions, "Who Rules America" and "Who Rules America Now", the latter an update of the first. Now I can't wait to get the latest! Clear & concise presentation of de facto governing and power structures at all levels of government. A sane and rational alternative to conspiracy theorist ramblings, this book shows plainly how we the people are not in charge, who is, and how their methods of rule have been legitimized and, even subsidized with our tax dollars. Learn the truth about such not-for-profit think tanks as the Council on Foreign Relations (not as black as you may have heard from the paranoids, but just as powerful and collusive.) Also a great handbook for those who wish to engage local and state power structures for profit and power.
-David T. Darnell, Denver, Colorado
Average customer rating:
- Excellent essay on the decline of democracy, how to save it.
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WHO RULES AMERICA The People Versus the Political Class
Eric O'Keefe
Manufacturer: Citizen Government Foundation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 State & Local Government
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ASIN: 0966755901 |
Book Description
The career politicians who run America's government have broken free of voter control. by gradually using the power of government to entrench themselves and hobble potential opponents, incumbents in Congress have created a system where their reelection, term after term, is a foregone conclusion. Congress no longer represents the American people; it rules them. This book explains how it happened, and how citizens can reclaim their government.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent essay on the decline of democracy, how to save it........1999-04-07
Couldn't stop reading. I hadn't been a fan of term limits until I picked up Eric O'Keefe's mesmerizing book. He makes a very persuasive case that yes, indeed, there is a correlation between incumbency and abuse of power, as well as incumbency and declining electoral competition. Anybody who believes that the weight of the evidence is on the side of those who say "we already have term limits--they're called elections," should take the time to read this short but powerful book. If incumbents can rig the game, if democracy is an empty husk, what we have is not democracy. It's a shell game. Brilliant!
Average customer rating:
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Who Rules America Now?: A View for the 80's
G. William Domhoff
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster (Paper)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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U.S.
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ASIN: 0671622358 |
Average customer rating:
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Who Rules America Now?
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster (Paper)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0139584137 |
Average customer rating:
- An oligarchic power elite
- Something is missing.
- Shocking expose of families who control America
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Who Rules America Now?
G. William Domhoff
Manufacturer: Waveland Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0881339385 |
Customer Reviews:
An oligarchic power elite.......2004-07-20
G. William Domhoff poses the right questions: who benefits? Who governs? Who wins?
By answering these questions, he arrives at the clear-cut result that the US is ruled by an 'interacting set of families and socially adhesive cliques that possesses great wealth and makes up only 0.5 percent of the population.'
In other words, the US is ruled, nationally and locally, by an oligarchy constituted by members of this small upper class.
Nationally, we find those members in the most important corporations, banks and law firms. Locally, we find them in real estate, construction and land development companies.
This power elite created and controlls directly the best think-tanks like the Council on Foreign Relations, the Conference Board, the Hoover Institute or the American Enterprise Institute.
As also Michael Parenti clearly explains, this oligarchy influences decisively the media (TV and press) via the enormous and crucial advertising budgets of big corporations. The power elite also supports heavily the 'best' candidates in both political parties.
G. William Domhoff illustrates cleverly his viewpoints with the example of senator Prescott Bush, the grandfather of the actual president.
This book is a brilliant and masterful analysis and a must read for all those interested in the US political/economical system.
Something is missing........2003-01-18
In his book "The Naked Capitalist," Professor Cleon Skousen, former editor of the policemen's magazine, "Law and Order," wrote, "Professional investigators will tell you concerning criminal conspiracies that sometimes you have to wait them out. Eventually someone will go the authorities with information that can be independently verified. I have waited 30 years for someone on the inside of the modern political power structure to talk, and now it has finally happened." He was referring to the mammoth history book "Tragedy and Hope" by Professor Carroll Quigley of Georgetown University, which documents the existence of a true "invisible government" in America and other western nations by a clique of extremely wealthy people. My question, in case it may be valid, is how does it happen that this book, "Who Rules America Now?", manages to completely disregard or ignore the revelations made in these others - revelations not just about how rich people happen to be powerful, but of exactly how that power has come to be exercised? Thank you for reading my comment.
Shocking expose of families who control America.......1998-12-18
Domhoff crears away the mystery of why the real power, political and economic does not filter down to the common people. His documenting of the families who make sure that their interests are met is both shocking and clear. If you read it wrong, you can come to the conclusion that we the people, can do nothing. I read it as a call to action to obtain power and influence for we commoners.
Book Description
With 364 range maps and 96 color plates portraying 548 species, this is the classic field guide to European birds. Covering 698 species, the descriptive text includes information on geographical races, vagrants, and introduced species. Confusing species such as waders, raptors, and warblers have additional notes on how to distinguish them.
Customer Reviews:
Good book, not the best organization........1999-10-14
I found this book to be informative as a guide to what I would find in Europe, but it received a poor grade in the field due to the poor organization. I had to flip through three sections to find a picture, description, and range-map for each bird. The maps were really too small for a US native to be able to tell which country was which, and the illustrations were consistantly exagerated to the point that you could only identify the so-called important features (which often were the same as important features of other birds) were all you could be certain were accurate to some extent. Even though I don't speak German, I actually found a book in German which was more useful to me than Peterson's. The German book, entitled GU Naturfuhrer "Vogel" (Birds), had accurate photos of every bird I saw on my trip. The maps in Vogel, although lacking lines seperating the countries, were much more identifiable to an American due mainly to size. After identifying the birds by the photos, I compared the scientific names to Peterson's, and was able to identify the birds with their English names (although usually the pictures in Peterson's looked nothing like those in "Vogel"). So as a field guide, Peterson's gets no stars, but for the descriptions and scientific names, it deserves a little credit.
Average customer rating:
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AA 50 Walks for Birdwatchers (Walking Books Ser.)
Martin Knowlden
Manufacturer: Aa Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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ASIN: 0749548118 |
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AA Walks for Birdwatchers Kit: 50 Walks for Birdwatchers & Binoculars (Aa Kit)
Martin Knowlden
Manufacturer: Aa Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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ASIN: 0749550023 |
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Birds of Britain and Europe
Manufacturer: New Line Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Birds
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ASIN: 1597641561 |
Book Description
For millions of Americans, birdwatching is nothing less than an obsession. For enthusiasts, the excitement of sighting a rare species, the pleasure of watching a bird in flight, and the satisfaction of being able to spot and identify different birds constitute a burning passion that travels
with them wherever they go. The Birdwatcher's Handbook provides a marvelous resource for these dedicated hobbyists, offering a compendium of information about European birds that will be a delight to armchair readers and vacationers alike.
In The Birdwatcher's Handbook, authors Paul Ehrlich, David Dobkin, Darryl Wheye, and Stuart Pimm provide in-depth information about British and Northern European birds not found in standard guides. Unlike quick-reference spotter's guides, this volume combines helpful identification aids with
thorough descriptions of the birds' behavior and characteristics. Here you can find out where a bird nests, what type of nest it builds, and which partner builds it; how many eggs it lays, what they look like, which parent incubates them, and for how long; how it cares for its young, what it likes
to eat, and its foraging habits. This comprehensive volume also provides details about displays, mating, wintering and migration, conservation status, and guides to further reading. For the dedicated birdwatcher on the go (in one of the most popular vacation destinations for Americans), this
information will constitute invaluable help for locating and following different birds, and for identifying them by their behavior as well as their appearance. And both bird-loving travelers and homebound enthusiasts will delight in the comprehensive background this book provides on 515 separate
species--including 150 short essays on avian natural history.
Bird-watchers form a remarkable group, dedicated to following their passion from the backyard to the most distant places. The Birdwatcher's Handbook provides the information they need for both at-a-glance reference in the field and hours of reading pleasure at home--the perfect companion to a
trusted identification guide.
Average customer rating:
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The Complete Guide to the Birdlife of Britain and Europe
HAYMAN PETER
Manufacturer: Smithsonian
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Birds
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All Titles
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ASIN: 1588340880 |
Book Description
This authoritative guide is unparalleled in scope and depth. More than 3,500 brilliant color illustrations show each bird from up to twelve different angles, clearly and accurately presenting all distinguishing features of male and female, juvenile and adult birds. The engaging text is easily accessible yet detailed enough to satisfy even the most experienced birdwatcher.
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Guide to Bird Watching In Europe
Manufacturer: Bodley Head Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Birdwatching
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ASIN: 0370104773 |
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A guide to bird-watching in Europe
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Ornithology
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ASIN: 0684144751 |
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