The Politicians and the Egalitarians

An eminent historian reminds us of the commanding role party politics has played in America’s enduring struggle against economic inequality.

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Sean Wilentz presents two key insights that reveal a much-needed vision of American political history. Firstly, partisanship has almost always been a feature of American history and has made possible its greatest social reforms. Secondly, the recent attention to economic inequality has a long history. From the founders’ generation to the present, America’s egalitarian tradition has appeared and reappeared like an underground river.