Journal Entries #7

Winner Take All Politics Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson, leading political scientists, look at the relationship between income inequality, public policy, and interest group politics in their book "Winner Take All Politics." Even more than the particular issue of income inequality, Hacker and Pierson argue that our complex, divided government makes it difficult for citizens to stay informed and favors time, money, and resources more easily wielded by powerful groups than by citizens. Both Republicans and Democrats are criticized as both parties have become dependent on special interest money to fund campaigns and policies that favor powerful interests occur when either party is in power. The authors trace the history of this power to the decline of unions and civic organizations that once looked after the interests of the middle class and balanced business interests that were more narrowly focused on congressional committees that regulated their particular industry This was an example of the classic pluralist model. While not all voters participated, it was okay because everyone's interests were more or less represented. As groups that supported the middle class declined in strength, business groups began to coordinate lobbying and consolidate power to counter the rise of increased government regulation eventually being able to run the policy table in sophisticated ways that the Madisonian model could not have foreseen. Ironically, the very divided government that was designed to stop narrow interests, the authors say, now supports those interests because in a complex governing system it is much easier to stop legislation than pass it. Their critique represents the elite model perspective where the powerful few dominate the many. They believe that voters will need to participate more (the majoritarian model) to counteract this power.

A fascinating video interview with Hacker and Pierson can be seen here.