Democracy, America, and the Age of Globalization

A voluntary public funding system for political campaigns is necessary to reverse the trend toward income inequality.

Jay R. Mandle (Author)

9780521713658, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 5 November 2007

174 pages, 19 tables
21.5 x 14 x 1.1 cm, 0.214 kg

"It is difficult to find two political issues that generate more heat than economic globalization and campaign finance. In this book Jay Mandle (Colgate University) combines the two topics in a thought-provoking manner....The contributions of the book are twofold. First, it unites two heretofore separate research areas in a lively and interesting fashion...Second, it provides an ancillary text book for lower division courses in American politics that will generate considerable classroom discussion. Students will appreciate the lively and concise writing style and the provocative arguments that Mandle makes throughout the book. This book is highly recommended for faculty looking for such an ancillary text."
Sean Q Kelly, California State University Channel Islands

Because political campaigns in the United States are privately funded, America's political system is heavily biased toward the interests of wealthy campaign contributors. As a result, government policies have largely ignored the growth in income inequality caused by technological change and economic globalization. This omission has been tolerated because most Americans do not support interventionist government policies. They believe that the government serves the interests of the campaign donors rather than the public. This skepticism concerning the public sector's fairness must be overcome before effective programs to offset mounting inequality can be implemented. Though in recent years legislation to reform the financing of political campaigns has been adopted, private wealth continues to dominate the political process. Political cynicism therefore persists. A voluntary system of public funding of candidates for office is required to generate the trust in the public sector necessary to reverse the trend toward inequality.

1. The economics of inequality
2. The politics of inequality
3. The funding and biases of American politics
4. History and reform efforts
5. The problem of government
6. The need for public financing
7. Organizing for democracy.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP], Development economics & emerging economies [KCM], Comparative politics [JPB]