A new book by acclaimed historian Kim Phillips-Fein delves into the persistent, often overlooked, struggle against egalitarianism throughout American history. Titled 'Country of Lords: Neo-Aristocrats, Social Darwinists, Tech Utopians, and the Long Fight Against Equality in America', the publication arrives as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, a document famously proclaiming that "all men are created equal."
Phillips-Fein's work offers a critical perspective, tracing a lineage of influential figures who have expressed scepticism or outright opposition to the notion of widespread equality. The narrative spans from founding father John Adams, who harboured deep reservations about excessive egalitarianism following the French Revolution, to contemporary tech billionaires such as Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. The historian suggests that the current era of stark economic disparity, exemplified by the rise of trillionaires, has brought these historical debates about wealth concentration and democratic stability sharply back into focus.
The book explores a diverse array of individuals and movements that have contributed to this 'long fight'. Among them are 19th-century Social Darwinists like William Graham Sumner, who promoted ideas of natural hierarchy, and proponents of race-based inequality such as Confederate theorist George Fitzhugh and journalist Theodore Lothrop Stoddard, whose 1920 bestseller 'The Rising Tide of Color Against White World-Supremacy' reflected a broader 'scientific' racism. Phillips-Fein also examines Gilded Age industrialists, including Scottish-born tycoon Andrew Carnegie, whose immense wealth and paternalistic philanthropy are analysed within the context of his ambivalence towards extreme economic concentration.
Phillips-Fein, whose previous works include 'Invisible Hands', a study of businessmen opposing the New Deal, and 'Fear City', on New York's 1970s economic crisis, brings a unique perspective to the interplay between capitalism and democracy. She highlights how figures like Carnegie, despite their belief in the necessity of wealth concentration, were often acutely aware of the political dangers and social instability it could engender, even leading to a perceived loss of community or "human brotherhood."
The book's timely release prompts a re-evaluation of fundamental American ideals, particularly in an age where discussions about economic justice and the influence of extreme wealth on political systems are becoming increasingly prominent. By connecting historical arguments against equality with modern-day concerns, Phillips-Fein encourages readers to consider the enduring challenges to achieving a truly egalitarian society.