Who's Running America: The Bush Restoration

by Thomas R. Dye

Arguing that the power in America is concentrated in large institutions, this book studies the people at the top of these institutions—who they are, how much power they wield, and how they came to power. Tom Dye has chronicled the national leadership since the Nixon-Ford years, each edition featuring the current president and his staff. The seventh edition focuses on the new Bush administration and the contrast it will bring to Washington following 8 years of Clinton dominance. The commentary is supported by years of data analysis involving more than 7000 institutional elites, which includes governmental and corporate leaders. This edition describes the return of the Bush dynasty to power. It includes a new chapter on “The Money Elite” , describing the power of the banking and financial community as well as the Federal Reserve Board; Chapter 7 now covers important issues concerning elite interlocking, recruitment, social characteristics, class, and factionalism; the discussion of “How Institutional Leaders Make Public Policy” has been expanded greatly in Chapter 8; several discussions have been added, including “The Globalization of Economic Power,” “The Battle for IBM,” “Alan Ruling over Money,” “Hillary Power and Ambition,” and “Liberal and Conservative Factions among Elites” .

Genres: Politics, Sociology

220 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 1994

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a well-researched regurgitation of what most critical newsreaders already know.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of power and class in America. G. William Domhoff's 'Who Rules America?' is much better, however.