John Adams and the Fear of American Oligarchy [Paperback]

Long before the one percent became a protest slogan, American founding father John Adams feared the power of a class he called simply the few the wellborn, the beautiful, and especially the rich. InJohn Adams and the Fear of American Oligarchy, Luke Mayville explores Adamss deep concern with the way in which inequality threatens to corrode democracy and empower a small elite. Adams believed that wealth is politically powerful not merely because money buys influence, but also because citizens admire and even identify with the rich. Mayville explores Adamss theory of wealth and power in the context of his broader concern about social and economic disparitiesreflections that promise to illuminate contemporary debates about inequality and its political consequences. He also examines Adamss ideas about how oligarchy might be countered. A compelling work of intellectual history,John Adams and the Fear of American Oligarchyhas important lessons for todays world.Luke Mayvilleis a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for American Studies at Columbia University. He is a contributor toCommonweal.

John Adams and the Fear of American Oligarchyis a most timely, valuable, and enlightening book. It shows conclusively that Adams was one of the sharpest critics of oligarchy among the American founders and, indeed, in the history of political thought. The book will generate much-needed discussion in political thought, American political studies, and contemporary democratic theory.
John McCormick, University of Chicago

Remarkably well-written and astonishingly lucid,John Adams and the Fear of American Oligarchymakes an absolutely central point about Adamss thought, persuasively reestablishing him as a genuine democrat in his ultimate sympathies.
Sanford Levinson, University of Texas Law School

A needed examination of Adamss political thought on wealth-based aristocracy.
Choice