State Autonomy or Class Dominance?: Case Studies on Policy Making in America (Social Institutions and Social Change) - Softcover

Domhoff, G. William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0202305120 ISBN 13: 9780202305127

Publisher: Aldine Transaction, 1996

Synopsis

In his new book G. William Domhoff provides the most thorough critique to date of state autonomy theory as it has been applied to the American federal government. The view under attack holds that the federal government, rather than the banks and corporations, wields greater power in the United States. Utilizing new arguments and new archival findings, this book challenges every case study that state autonomy theorists have done on the Progressive Era, the New Deal, and World War II. Domhoff then concludes with an analysis of why the theory received so much attention.In addition to demonstrating the weaknesses of state autonomy theory in the case of the U.S., the book presents a step-by-step statement of the author's non-Marxian class dominance theory, defining each concept clearly and suggesting the kind of evidence necessary to support it. The chapters on the origins of the Social Security Act 1935 and on the role of corporations in the industrial mobilization for World War II lead to general statements on the factors that limit the effectiveness of liberal and labor political forces in America; the chapter on the Progressive Era contains an analysis of why the corporate community has been more powerful in the United States than in Europe.Although it is part of a continuing debate with other experts, the author has marshaled his argument in a style that is always accessible. As a result, the book is ideal for use in courses in which the instructor wants to compare and contrast original presentations of rival viewpoints by major proponents of the debated theories.

About this title

About the Author

G. William Domhoff is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He received his education at Duke University, Kent State University, and the University of Miami. Among Domhoff's many books are: The Power Elite and the State: How Policy is Made in America (Aldine); Mystique of Dreams; Who Rules America Now?; and Jews in the Protestant Establishment.

Edition details

• Publisher: Aldine Transaction
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0202305120
• ISBN 13: 9780202305127
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 296