John Adams on American Wealth Inequality

Discover how American founding father John Adams expressed concerns about the political influence of the wealthy. His ideas continue to shed light on today's discussions surrounding inequality, its consequences, and the looming threat of oligarchy.

John Adams, a key American figure long before the "one percent" catchphrase emerged, harbored deep concerns about what he termed "the few" – a class comprised of the privileged, the beautiful, and notably the wealthy. In "John Adams and the Fear of American Oligarchy," Luke Mayville delves into Adams's apprehensions about the threat posed by inequality to democracy. By examining Adams's political works, Mayville sheds light on the statesman's worries about oligarchy in the U.S. and his unique insights on the political influence of wealth. This often-overlooked concept has the potential to inform contemporary discussions on inequality and its political impacts.

John Adams believed that wealth wields significant political influence in modern societies, not just because money can sway decisions, but also because people admire and even empathize with the rich. He likened the power of wealth to the power of beauty, both setting their possessors apart and evoking feelings of approval and reverence. People support and align with the wealthy not solely to attain wealth themselves, but out of genuine respect and deference. Through exploring Adams's views on wealth and power within the context of his broader concerns about social and economic inequality, we can also gain insight into his thoughts on addressing the challenges of oligarchy.

A compelling work of mental historical past, John Adams and the Concern of American Oligarchy additionally has essential classes for as we speak’s world of accelerating inequality.