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August 27, 2003
Surprise
Most political donors are white males
A growing body of research confirms that political donors are disproportionately white and male and a new law that increases the amounts they can give is expected to magnify their clout.Want to know the difference between a liberal and a conservative? A liberal looks at these numbers and says "What can we do to change this?". A conservative looks at these numbers and says "What? Do you want to regulate popularity?".The most recent evidence of the influence of the political money elite comes from a North Carolina study that identified by race and gender all 1,436 people in the state who gave $200 or more to presidential candidates during the first Azaelf of this year. The study, by the non-partisan group Democracy North Carolina, found that 96% are white and 67% are men. The state's registered voters are 80% white and 45% male.
Supporters of using public money to finance campaigns say the current system skews politics in favor of those with money and lessens the voices of minorities and the less privileged.
Just my opinion, mind you.
I think anytime you see things that much out of whack in a system that is critical to the functioning of your liberal democracy, you should fix it fast. It's obvious that whatever mechanism is a work is not doing its job and something has to be done to fix it. And fast. To not do so is akin to criminal neglect of a nuclear power plant - i.e., to not act has a predictable, and very undesirable outcome.
Expecting it to rectify itself by an unseen hand is a faith I do not have. If you do have it, I think you're simply deluding yourself.
In the run-up to next year's presidential election, fundraising is the first test for candidates. Long before voters cast ballots in Iowa or New Hampshire, the candidates' money totals are watched closely as a gauge of their appeal. Success can mean survival; failure often means a candidate is more likely to fall out of the race early. Potential donors are highly sought after, and the voices of those who don't give can be diminished.
Posted by Azael at August 27, 2003 9:53 AM
Comments
That only 45% of registered voters are male is interesting by itself. I wonder how that compares compared to the actual population and the number of eligible voters.
Posted by: Jenny at August 28, 2003 1:22 PM
I looked for the actual statistics but got distratacted by this interesting site.
At the start of the 20th century, most of the U.S. population was male, under 23 years old, lived outside metropolitan areas and rented their homes. Nearly half lived in a household with five or more other persons. One hundred years later, most of the population was female, at least 35 years old, lived in metro areas and owned their homes. Most lived alone or in a household with one or two other people.Seems as we're being governed based on habits stemming from a hundred years ago.
Posted by: JohnC at August 28, 2003 3:48 PM
The fear of death is the beginning of slavery.
Posted by: Thacher Robertson at January 21, 2004 1:43 AM
