Perrucci&Wysong's chapter 4 - Essay Example

Summary of Chapter 4 of the New Society by Perrucci & Wysong Chapter 4: The Invisible Empire The general claim for this chapter is that there is a super class which dominates the political arena mainly through the invisible class empire. The chapter describes the political dominance of the super class and how these people try to hide this reality from the rest of the class. The super class constitutes an empire because they act as a representative of a pool of resources as well as organizations which work towards ensuring dominance of the super class in the political arena and the class is invisible in the sense that it is highly excluded from the attention of the public.

Chapter 4 of the New Class Society talks about the intricate relationship that exists between economic and political power of the super class. The chapter mainly argues about the economic power of the elites which is coupled by their social capital, which then creates a disproportionate political environment in the USA as it favors those with power and the privileged classes. According to Perrucci and Wysong (145), these inequalities in USA have perpetuated elite dominance and have led to the marginalization of the lower and middle classes.

The chapter begins with the analysis of the invisible class empire which the authors define as hidden processes and structures through which the leaders in the super class penetrate and dominate the political system of America. Perrucci and Wysong (145), identify a golden triangle of the powerful class consisting of political industry shadow which include lobbying, finance and policy, information industry and the super class which dominates the politics. According to Perrucci and Wysong (145), the elites are unable to accomplish their political dominance goals by themselves and must make use of the credentialed class.

This is because the members of the credentialed class add knowledge and legitimacy to the privileged class cause. The golden triangle acts a powerful tool in conceptualizing the core of the privileged class, cultural power, political and economic power in USA.This chapter continues to discuss on the issue of political finance. Perrucci and Wysong (150) provide several empirical examples on the elites influence on capital hill by providing readers with statistical anomalies of the contributions of campaigns by working and the privileged classes.

The notion of corporate influence on the congress and an in-depth discussion on its contribution to the process of the campaign has been discussed. Numerous comparisons of who contributes to the capital hill and the amount contributed together with the constituency level gained after these contributions have been discussed in this chapter.Perrucci and Wysong (155) argue that the most of the American policy making forums are highly saturated with corporate control and interest by the super class.

Perrucci and Wysong (155) also cite different examples of foundations of policy recommendations, which continue to be funded from grants which are given by leading corporations in USA. Perrucci and Wysong also point out that most executive board seats in USA are occupied by executives from the privileged class.The final section of the chapter discusses ob political lobbying which only the privileged have an upper hand. Perrucci and Wysong argue that the elite class has access to more resources, which sustain their cause and can also afford to lose a number of battles for them to conquer the war.

This chapter therefore, identifies several contextual tactics and advantages used by the elite class to perpetuate their dominance over American politics.Work CitedPerrucci, Robert and Earl Wysong. The New Class Society. Lanham, Md: Rowman &Littlefield. 2007, pg 145- 200