Books like G. William Domhoff's Who Rules America? have documented the existence of an elite ruling class in America. The existence of a power elite does not represent a new phenomenon. From its inception, a discrete class has wielded enormous influence in governing this nation.
One of a series of anti-federalist newspaper articles warns that the Constitution establishes the machinery by which a self-seeking minority may gain control for power and profit. Many have credited Richard Henry Lee for the articles which appear in a collected form in the book Letters from a Federal Farmer. Lee warned against:
. . . an aristocratic faction; a junto of unprincipled men, often distinguished for their wealth or abilities who combine together and make their object their private interests and aggrandizement.; the existence of this description is merely accidental, but particularly to be guarded against. (p. 73)
He further observed:
Now, my opinion is, that the representation proposed is so small as that ordinarily . . . the parade of words and forms the government must possess the soul of aristocracy, or something worse, the spiritof popular leaders. (ibid.)
America has evolved a hybrid of the two: political demagogues under the sway of an aristocratic elite.
A book published in 1830 reveals not only the existence of a class-based elite, but also that the youths of that class were being groomed for power. The title page of the book tells it all:
Note the quote from the Massachusetts Bill of Rights, almost as an obligatory disclaimer. The book's text contains nothing of the conspiratorial about it, but rather introduces the student in catechetical fashion to the theory of government as well as a practical nuts-and-bolts guide to using government.
This, in itself, would give an advantage to the governing class over those who did not receive such practical instruction.
One of a series of anti-federalist newspaper articles warns that the Constitution establishes the machinery by which a self-seeking minority may gain control for power and profit. Many have credited Richard Henry Lee for the articles which appear in a collected form in the book Letters from a Federal Farmer. Lee warned against:
. . . an aristocratic faction; a junto of unprincipled men, often distinguished for their wealth or abilities who combine together and make their object their private interests and aggrandizement.; the existence of this description is merely accidental, but particularly to be guarded against. (p. 73)
He further observed:
America has evolved a hybrid of the two: political demagogues under the sway of an aristocratic elite.
A book published in 1830 reveals not only the existence of a class-based elite, but also that the youths of that class were being groomed for power. The title page of the book tells it all:
THE POLITICAL CLASS BOOK ; INTENDED TO INSTRUCT THE HIGHER CLASSES IN SCHOOLS
IN THE
ORIGIN, NATURE, AND USE
OF POLITICAL POWER.
"Government is instituted for the common good ; for the protection, safety, prosperity,
and happiness of the people ; and not for the profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men.'" Mass. Bill of Rights. "
Ignorantia legum neminem excusat ; omnes enim praesumuntur eas nosse, quibui
cranes consentiunt."
BY WILLIAM SULLIVAN,
COUNSELLOR AT LAW.
WITH AN
UPON STUDIES FOR PRACTICAL MEN;
WITH NOTICES OF BOOKS SUITED TO THEIR USE.
BY GEORGE B. EMERSON.
Note the quote from the Massachusetts Bill of Rights, almost as an obligatory disclaimer. The book's text contains nothing of the conspiratorial about it, but rather introduces the student in catechetical fashion to the theory of government as well as a practical nuts-and-bolts guide to using government.
This, in itself, would give an advantage to the governing class over those who did not receive such practical instruction.
No comments:
Post a Comment