The Benefits Of Living In A Democracy
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When someone thinks about the upper class, the majority of people may think about living in a big house or driving a nice car. But in truth, as G. William Domhoff explains in his book, “Who Rules America?”, there is an upper class that is much more than that. Domhoff describes the upper class as closely intertwined with the corporate community. He begins by explaining why it is important to know this, and provides statistics that seem to show how the upper class attempts to influence corporations. Domhoff states that from grade school to grad school, upper class children are trained to excel in the corporate level, giving them an advantage in obtaining the highest positions in the corporate world. Domhoff also explains how the upper class meets together in social clubs, which only the most powerful and influential individuals may join. Using this evidence, as well as several others, Domhoff is able to support his theory that the upper class is intertwined with the corporate world.
Domholff begins his argument by stating the significance of demonstrating connectivity between the upper class and corporations. Domhoff states the first reason as, “it refutes the widely accepted idea that there has been a separation between corporate ownership and control in the United States” (49). This would successfully prove that there is one part of the upper class that separates itself from the others. This would be significant because this group of upper class do not refer themselves as upper class. In fact, many of these people do not like to talk about class at all and certainly do not admit as being in the upper class. The upper class Domhoff refers will be proven to control huge corporations and holding companies. As he states, “the fact that the corporate community in closely linked to the upper class makes it possible to convert economic power into social powerвЂ¦Ð²Ð‚Ñœ (49). Although this class holds a lot of power, there is no evil plan or conspiracy. The main goal of this group of people is to make money and stay in the upper class.
The first evidence provided is the evidence for preparation. From children to adulthood, families of these children receive the best education money can buy. The purpose of sending these children to expensive day school and boarding schools is not only to provide at fine education, but it will give them a sense of social status early on in their childhood, and also gives them a chance to meet other children in the upper class. As an informant states, “’Where I went to boarding school, there were girls from all over the country, so I know people from all over. It’s helpful when you move to a new city and want to get invited to the local social clubвЂ™Ð²Ð‚Ñœ (50). Meeting other people from this class is very important because it almost seems like a social club for children. Most of all the graduates from high school move on to the most prestigious schools. According to Domhoff, many graduates from boarding schools move on to one of four Ivy League universities(Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia), where they receive the highest education. Recent statistics show, “94 of the 100 were private schools, with 10 that sent more than 15 percent of their students to Harvard, Yale, or Prinston” (53). This shows the advantage of being able to attend prestigious schools if you came from boarding schools. Even the boarding school itself is the “Yale” or “Harvard” of high schools. The final step in preparation for the corporate world is, of course, is to pursue a corporate career. In a study using the schools alumni files, “Fifty-six percent of the sample are either bankers or business executives, with 80 of the 91 businessmen serving as president, vice president, or partner in their firms” (54). Using this evidence Domhoff is able to show a real connection between the upper class and their attempt to “train” or prepare their children for the corporate world. In successfully preparing oneself, it would be essentially ensuring the family would remain in the upper class and memberships in important social clubs.
Social clubs also plays an important role in linking the upper class with the corporate community. As stated before, social clubs and boarding school are very similar due to the fact that they are able to meet new people that are in the