-
American Democracy and Inequality
- Dissent
- University of Pennsylvania Press
- Volume 52, Number 2, Spring 2005 (whole No. 219)
- pp. 80-84
- 10.1353/dss.2005.0009
- Article
- Additional Information
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Only some Americans fully exercise their rights as citizens, and they usually come from the more advantaged segments of society. Those who enjoy higher incomes, more occupational success, and the highest levels of formal education are the ones most likely to participate in politics and make their needs and values known to government officials. Our review of research on inequality and political participation as well as other components of American political life demonstrates an extraordinary association between economic and political inequality.