The Family Business
Steven L. Taylor
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Wednesday, April 2, 2014
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4 comments
Larry Sabato notes: Dynasty Isn’t Just for Monarchies Anymore and goes on to note, beyond the obvious examples, that “American politics is more of a family affair than you think.”
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored
A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog).
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It’s not more of a family business than I think. Six years ago the president was the son of a former president, the governor of my state was the son-in-law of a prominent Chicago alderman, the mayor of my city was the son of a former mayor, and my alderman was (is) the daughter of the previous alderman. My representative in the state legislature is her nephew.
The Holy Roman Empire wasn’t that dynastic.
This idea that families being involved in politics is somehow “un-democratic” has got to stop. If you have a relative that is an actor, banker or bartender then you are more likely to share their profession than some random schmo. Why would politics be any different?
@MarkedMan: agreed. It only becomes a problem if people without those connections can’t get involved.
@SKI: I have not seen that yet.