American Business and Political Power: Public Opinion, Elections, and Democracy

I have been teaching and writing about American politics for twenty five years at the college level, and can recommend this prize-winning book as a landmark in its field. No one has ever assembled the data that Smith has, and he has analyzed it expertly. The findings cut through the superifical cynicism that surrounds interest groups to reveal the limits of group power, while also suggesting the places where it still may reside.This is must reading of anyone interested in the power of business and interest groups in American national government.

Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan are on the rampage against the influence of big business in politics. But how much power do such businesses really wield? Prof. Smith conclusively demonstrates that the power of business varies across time and issue. Business typically wins politically when it wins public opinion; otherwise politicians often side with consumers (namely their constituents who are also consumers). Smith's book deserves to be read widely in this election year. It's well written to boot.