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The Protestant Establishment: Aristocracy and Caste in America
This classic account of the traditional upper class in America traces its origins, lifestyles, and political and social attitudes from the time of Theodore Roosevelt to that of John F. Kennedy. Sociologist E. Digby Baltzell describes the problems of exclusion and prejudice within the community of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants (or WASPs, an acronym he coined) and predicts with amazing accuracy what will happen when this inbred group is forced to share privilege and power with talented members of minority groups. “The book may actually hold more interest today than when it was first published. New generations of readers can resonate all the more to this masterly and beautifully written work that provides sociological understanding of its engrossing subject.”―Robert K. Merton, Columbia University “The documentation and illustration in the book make it valuable as social history, quite apart from any theoretical hypothesis. As such, it sketches the rise of the WASP penchant for country clubs, patriotic societies and genealogy. It traces the history of anti-Semitism in America. It describes the intellectual conflict between Social Darwinism and the environmental social science founded half a century ago by men like John Dewey, Charles A. Beard, Thorstein Veblen, Franz Boas and Frederick Jackson Turner. In short, The Protestant Establishment is a wide-ranging, intelligent and provocative book.”―Alvin Toffler, New York Times Book Review “ The Protestant Establishment has many virtues that lift it above the level we have come to expect in works of contemporary social and cultural analysis. It is clearly and convincingly written.”―H. Stuart Hughes, New York Review of Books “What makes Baltzell’s analysis of the evolution of the American elite superior to the accounts of earlier writers . . . is that he exposes the connections between high social status and political and economic power.”―Dennis H. Wrong, Commentary
429 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 1965
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About the author
Edward Digby Baltzell
9 books15 followersEdward Digby Baltzell was an American sociologist, academic and author. He became an Emeritus Professor of History and Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, and was credited with popularizing the acronym WASP. - Wikipedia
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September 6, 2012Can we please talk about how great the name E. Digby Baltzell is?
July 20, 2022
I heard this was one of those classic books that became more true the longer time has passed -- and it did not disappoint.
It was fascinating hearing about how specifically the deck was stacked in favor of the WASP establishment for from the very beginning of Unites States history, and how they have adapted to the changing population. The current lack of sufficient leadership amongst the elite is a direct result of their poor response.
I've been doing a lot of research in genealogy for my upcoming project Ancestry Dot Comedy. This book was useful to understand the history of genealogy and how it intersects with white supremacy.
Other surprising and interesting bits: the rise of resort towns and the specific history of the Jersey Shore, especially Cape May; the history of exclusion and hoarding of power at elite clubs; and the shame of antisemitism that permeates elite institutions.
It was fascinating hearing about how specifically the deck was stacked in favor of the WASP establishment for from the very beginning of Unites States history, and how they have adapted to the changing population. The current lack of sufficient leadership amongst the elite is a direct result of their poor response.
I've been doing a lot of research in genealogy for my upcoming project Ancestry Dot Comedy. This book was useful to understand the history of genealogy and how it intersects with white supremacy.
Other surprising and interesting bits: the rise of resort towns and the specific history of the Jersey Shore, especially Cape May; the history of exclusion and hoarding of power at elite clubs; and the shame of antisemitism that permeates elite institutions.
June 18, 2023
Interesting but dated, and sometimes interesting because of how it was dated.
January 19, 2026
“The Protestant Establishment" by Edward Digby Baltzell presents a comprehensive examination of the social, cultural, and economic influence wielded by the Protestant elite in the United States. Originally published in 1964, the book offers a penetrating insight into the dynamics of power and privilege within American society during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Baltzell's work is marked by its rigorous research methodology and interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon sociology, history, and political science to illuminate the intricate workings of the Protestant establishment. Through meticulous analysis of historical data, sociological theories, and case studies, Baltzell constructs a compelling narrative that traces the evolution of Protestant dominance across various spheres of American life.
One of the key strengths of Baltzell's book lies in its nuanced exploration of the interplay between religion, class, and social hierarchy. By examining the ways in which Protestantism intersected with wealth, education, and political power, Baltzell elucidates how the Protestant elite exerted a profound influence over institutions such as academia, business, and government. Through this lens, Baltzell sheds light on the mechanisms through which privilege was perpetuated and social mobility constrained within American society.
Baltzell's analysis is characterized by its attention to detail and theoretical sophistication. Drawing upon the works of sociologists such as Max Weber and Thorstein Veblen, Baltzell constructs a theoretical framework that elucidates the complex dynamics of social stratification and cultural hegemony. In doing so, he provides readers with a conceptual toolkit for understanding the intricate webs of power and influence that underpin American society.
“The Protestant Establishment" is not without its limitations. Some critics have argued that Baltzell's focus on Protestantism neglects the experiences of other religious and ethnic groups within the United States, thereby providing an incomplete picture of American social dynamics. Additionally, the book's emphasis on the mid-20th century may limit its relevance to contemporary readers, as societal dynamics have evolved since its publication.
“The Protestant Establishment" by Edward Digby Baltzell stands as a seminal work in the field of American sociology, offering a penetrating analysis of the structures of power and privilege that have shaped American society. While not without its limitations, Baltzell's book remains essential reading for scholars and students seeking to understand the complexities of social stratification and cultural hegemony in the United States.
GPT
Baltzell's work is marked by its rigorous research methodology and interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon sociology, history, and political science to illuminate the intricate workings of the Protestant establishment. Through meticulous analysis of historical data, sociological theories, and case studies, Baltzell constructs a compelling narrative that traces the evolution of Protestant dominance across various spheres of American life.
One of the key strengths of Baltzell's book lies in its nuanced exploration of the interplay between religion, class, and social hierarchy. By examining the ways in which Protestantism intersected with wealth, education, and political power, Baltzell elucidates how the Protestant elite exerted a profound influence over institutions such as academia, business, and government. Through this lens, Baltzell sheds light on the mechanisms through which privilege was perpetuated and social mobility constrained within American society.
Baltzell's analysis is characterized by its attention to detail and theoretical sophistication. Drawing upon the works of sociologists such as Max Weber and Thorstein Veblen, Baltzell constructs a theoretical framework that elucidates the complex dynamics of social stratification and cultural hegemony. In doing so, he provides readers with a conceptual toolkit for understanding the intricate webs of power and influence that underpin American society.
“The Protestant Establishment" is not without its limitations. Some critics have argued that Baltzell's focus on Protestantism neglects the experiences of other religious and ethnic groups within the United States, thereby providing an incomplete picture of American social dynamics. Additionally, the book's emphasis on the mid-20th century may limit its relevance to contemporary readers, as societal dynamics have evolved since its publication.
“The Protestant Establishment" by Edward Digby Baltzell stands as a seminal work in the field of American sociology, offering a penetrating analysis of the structures of power and privilege that have shaped American society. While not without its limitations, Baltzell's book remains essential reading for scholars and students seeking to understand the complexities of social stratification and cultural hegemony in the United States.
GPT
June 5, 2022
This is a ground breaking work on the rise and fall of the Protestant elites in the USA. Baltzell, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennyslvania, was himself a member of an old Philadelphian Episcopalian family, and defended the need for an aristocracy in a democracy.
Baltzell was alarmed by the decline of the "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant", or WASP (a term he popularized but did not invent), from an elite into a closed caste. The WASP establishment would not allow achieving Jews, Catholics, or blacks into its ranks, thus dooming itself to decline.
Baltzell never mentions the Italian writer Vilfredo Pareto or the latter's theory of "the Circulation of the Elites" by name but reaches a similar conclusion; elites that are not open to newcomers of talent are doomed.
I originally read this book in 1982 when I was 21 and understand it better now.
Baltzell was alarmed by the decline of the "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant", or WASP (a term he popularized but did not invent), from an elite into a closed caste. The WASP establishment would not allow achieving Jews, Catholics, or blacks into its ranks, thus dooming itself to decline.
Baltzell never mentions the Italian writer Vilfredo Pareto or the latter's theory of "the Circulation of the Elites" by name but reaches a similar conclusion; elites that are not open to newcomers of talent are doomed.
I originally read this book in 1982 when I was 21 and understand it better now.
March 28, 2011
A weaker book than I had hoped. Baltzell hinges his argument on a a thin Tocqueville quotation, claiming that a society's elite must be meritocratic, and open to all men of talent. Fine and good, but his subsequent discussion does little to expand on this, leaning heavily on anecdote and with what seems to me an (sociologically) inappropriate emphasis on the Jews, whose relationship to the "WASP" elite in America is fairly atypical. I don't think his argument is incorrect, exactly, and a few years ago just seeing it laid out would have been very attractive to me, but these days I think the world is more complicated, and requires more complicated analysis.
Despite being, like myself, an elitist, I find him a little too naive when discussing the political programs of liberals like FDR and JFK, who were, I think, more concerned with getting elected than these more enlightened issues of societal stability.
Baltzell doesn't seem to realize what many of the "patrician racists" already knew: a meritocratic elite will not be any more representative of American society than a caste elite. Today, as Pat Buchanan will tell you, Jews and Asians combined, despite composing less than 10% of the American population, make up about half of Harvard's undergraduate students. The long term consequences of the decline of the WASP elite (if we have to use such an ugly and vague acronym) are not considered, although there is some good history which helped make clear to me the broad reaction against minority power and influence that began in the late 1800s and lasted, with slight interruptions, until FDR turned the Democratic party into the establishment party.
I have higher hopes for his "Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia," which the NYPL seems to have misplaced.
Despite being, like myself, an elitist, I find him a little too naive when discussing the political programs of liberals like FDR and JFK, who were, I think, more concerned with getting elected than these more enlightened issues of societal stability.
Baltzell doesn't seem to realize what many of the "patrician racists" already knew: a meritocratic elite will not be any more representative of American society than a caste elite. Today, as Pat Buchanan will tell you, Jews and Asians combined, despite composing less than 10% of the American population, make up about half of Harvard's undergraduate students. The long term consequences of the decline of the WASP elite (if we have to use such an ugly and vague acronym) are not considered, although there is some good history which helped make clear to me the broad reaction against minority power and influence that began in the late 1800s and lasted, with slight interruptions, until FDR turned the Democratic party into the establishment party.
I have higher hopes for his "Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia," which the NYPL seems to have misplaced.
October 10, 2020
Interesting. I read a bunch, skimmed the rest, and looked up various reviews from the 60s. This was more of a research endeavor than regular reading. It's an amazingly confusing thing to read now because his perspective is so counter to the current way of looking at things. Basically, Digby really liked being part of the exclusive class of "Gentlemen" who attended elite prep schools and ivy league colleges, then joined exclusive clubs, summered at the beach, and made deals in smoky back rooms with people of their own kind. He just wishes they hadn't been such a "closed" elite. Everything would have been great if they'd just been a little less racist.
He starts off by quoting Marx, “the more a ruling class is able to assimilate the most prominent men of the dominated classes, the more stable and dangerous its rule.” But this quote from Marx didn’t come from any fear that domination of the few over the many might be oppressive. Where Marx sees the danger in capitalist hierarchy, Baltzell sees beneficent stability.
He has complicated theories of generational advancement in which powerful families are assimilated into The Establishment after three generations. Robber Barons are good examples of leaders, and a family history of wealthy planters in South Carolina, complete with slaves, was referred to a as part of the "best society".
He published this in 1964, just as everyone else was putting the prefix "anti" in front of the word establishment.
It's worth reading, though, because it illustrates what all that "anti" sentiment was reacting against.
Depressing, too, because all those elite schools are still screwing us up.
I also found an article online in which Baltzell revisits his premise. It seems like he realized how out of sync he was with the rest of the world, Still, he holds his ground, concluding that a free-press may be vital, but, "An authoritative establishment, in the long run, is far more important to the protection of freedom and democracy."
He starts off by quoting Marx, “the more a ruling class is able to assimilate the most prominent men of the dominated classes, the more stable and dangerous its rule.” But this quote from Marx didn’t come from any fear that domination of the few over the many might be oppressive. Where Marx sees the danger in capitalist hierarchy, Baltzell sees beneficent stability.
He has complicated theories of generational advancement in which powerful families are assimilated into The Establishment after three generations. Robber Barons are good examples of leaders, and a family history of wealthy planters in South Carolina, complete with slaves, was referred to a as part of the "best society".
He published this in 1964, just as everyone else was putting the prefix "anti" in front of the word establishment.
It's worth reading, though, because it illustrates what all that "anti" sentiment was reacting against.
Depressing, too, because all those elite schools are still screwing us up.
I also found an article online in which Baltzell revisits his premise. It seems like he realized how out of sync he was with the rest of the world, Still, he holds his ground, concluding that a free-press may be vital, but, "An authoritative establishment, in the long run, is far more important to the protection of freedom and democracy."
October 14, 2017
I first read this book in 1968 (it was written in 1964) for a poli-sci course. It never left me. I would return to it periodically over the years as our country evolved, change, morphed into the future. And now, as in the past, became reactionary. America was founded by a basis of ideas and ideals that became the very constitution of our country, insuring equality for all. In the course of over 200 years, we have reverted to racism, antisemitism and hatred several times, never really being equal, but more often than not, being hateful. It appears America is experiencing a "reactionary" period again. Though this book may appear dated in spots, it really has managed to show that "The more things change, the more they stay the same".....or worse. This is truly an admirable read.
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