The masses are the ruling classes : policy romanticism, democratic populism, and American social welfare

__The Masses Are the Ruling Classes__ handles a neglected theme: social policy in the United States is determined by mass consent. Contemporary explanations of decision making in the United States typically attribute power over policy making to a variety of hidden forces and illegitimate elites, holding the masses innocent of their own problems. Yet the enormous openness of the society and nearly universal suffrage sustain democratic consent as more plausible than the alternatives (conspiracy, propaganda, usurpation, autonomous government, and imperfect pluralism). Despite the multitude of problems that the nation faces, its citizens are not oppressed. The core problem that blocks the maturation of American society is not democratic participation, but its content; popular preferences are romantic rather than pragmatic. None of these programs achieve their ends of poverty reduction or behavioral change. Rather, they persist as testimonials to America’s romantic preferences. Thus, if the American people are largely responsible for social policy, then they are also responsible for the problems that beset the nation, notably enormous economic and social inequality. If the masses rule policy choice, then the persistence of material and social deprivation that lies easily within the economic capacities of the nation to address suggests that the nation abides its inequalities and suffering. The commitment of American society to policy romanticism and its rejection of pragmatism blocks its social development. The Masses Are The Ruling Classes Proposes The Radical, Yet Seemingly Innocuous View That Social Policy In The United States Is Determined By Mass Consent. Contemporary Explanations Of Decision Making In The Us Typically Attribute Power Over Policy Making To A Variety Of Hidden Forces And Illegitimate Elites Holding The Masses Innocent Of Their Own Problems. Yet The Enormous Openness Of The Society And Near-universal Suffrage Sustain Democratic Consent As More Plausible Than The Alternatives — Conspiracy, Propaganda, Usurpation, Autonomous Government, And Imperfect Pluralism. Contrary To Prevailing Explanations, Government Is Not Either Autonomous Or Out Of Control, Business And Wealthy Individuals Have Not Usurped Control Of The Nation, Large Segments Of The Population Are Not Dispossessed Of The Vote Or Of A Voice In Public Affairs, And The Media Has Not Formed A Conspiracy With Hollywood And Liberals To Deny Americans Their God-given Freedoms. Despite The Multitude Of Problems That The Nation Faces, Its Citizens Are Not Oppressed. In This Pithy Yet Provocative Book, Epstein Argues That Democracy In The United States Is Not Progressive But Is Instead Populist, And That The Core Of The Populist Ideology Is Romantic Rather Than Pragmatic. -- Machine Generated Contents Note: Section I Explaining Social Policy Making -- Introduction: The Ruling Masses -- 1. Precursors To Policy Romanticism -- 2. Policy Romanticism -- 3. An American Archetype: The Quest For The Authentic Self -- Psychology, Pop Psychology, And Self-help -- 4. Spiritualism, Religion, And Other Romantic Quests For The Authentic Self -- Section Ii Policy Romanticism And American Social Welfare -- 5. Year Up -- 6. Communities In Schools -- 7. Generations Of Hope Communities -- 8. The Food Stamp Program -- 9. Food Stamps And Public Welfare. William M. Epstein. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Masses are the Ruling Classes proposes the radical, yet seemingly innocuous view that social policy in the United States is determined by mass consent. Contemporary explanations of decision making in the US typically attribute power over policy making to a variety of hidden forces and illegitimate elites holding the masses innocent of their own problems. Yet the enormous openness of the society and near-universal suffrage sustain democratic consent as more plausible than the alternatives -- conspiracy, propaganda, usurpation, autonomous government, and imperfect pluralism. Contrary to prevailing explanations, government is not either autonomous or out of control, business and wealthy individuals have not usurped control of the nation, large segments of the population are not dispossessed of the vote or of a voice in public affairs, and the media has not formed a conspiracy with Hollywood and liberals to deny Americans their God-given freedoms. Despite the multitude of problems that the nation faces, its citizens are not oppressed. In this pithy yet provocative book, Epstein argues that Democracy in the United States is not progressive but is instead populist, and that the core of the populist ideology is romantic rather than pragmatic. -- Provided by publisher 'The Masses are the Ruling Classes' argues that popular sentiments rule social decision making and that elites are essentially obedient to democratic preferences, and not the other way around