Triumphant Plutocracy: The Story Of American Public Life From 1870 To 1920

by Richard Franklin Pettigrew

Triumphant Plutocracy is a book written by Richard F. Pettigrew that provides an in-depth analysis of American public life from the years 1870 to 1920. The book explores the rise of wealthy industrialists and their influence on American politics, economics, and society during this period. Pettigrew argues that the wealthy elites, or plutocrats, were able to consolidate their power and wealth through the manipulation of government policies, the control of the media, and the exploitation of workers. The book also discusses the impact of immigration, labor movements, and the rise of progressive reformers on American society. Triumphant Plutocracy is a comprehensive and thought-provoking read that sheds light on the complex dynamics of power and influence in American public life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: History

448 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2007

Reviews

[Da1tonthegreat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would never have read this book if I had not found a copy of it for $10 at an antique store. That being said, it was interesting nevertheless. Richard Franklin Pettigrew was a two-term senator from South Dakota. A populist and a socialist, he does not hold back in his diatribe against the corrupt Washington and Wall Street establishment. The book reads like a Gilded Age version of Noam Chomsky more than anything else. Pettigrew exposes the thorough corruption of the US government by plutocratic corporate interests and the evils of imperialism. Being a perspective from the left, I certainly don't agree with everything he says, but regardless it's an interesting read.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to assign a star value to this book, though it is undoubedtly valuable as a historical reference point, and as possibly the most scathing book ever published by a former United States Senator. R.F. Pettigrew spares no one from his venom--make no mistake, if you were in government at the same time as him, he does not like you.

This one has a special signifigance for me, since Pettigrew represented my own home state of South Dakota. I think it's safe to say he was the most radical representative we have ever had, and are likely to ever have from that state in federal government. He names plenty of names of those he feels are impeding the people's agenda. Plutocracy means rule by the wealthy--and he lays out a case for why various senators are actually representatives of wealthy interests rather than the citizens of their home states. I have little trouble believing this is true, as it is manifestly obvious that this is still the case.

It is difficult to understand how a politican that says some of the things that Pettigrew says could ever be sent to the Senate: beyond naming names, he talks openly about the conflict between capital and labor and was a great admirer of the Russian Revolution. I get the sense that many of his colleagues may have considered him to be something of a nuisance. I think Pettigrew would be pleased with that, and I also think we would be better off if we had more people in government willing to stir the pot the way Pettigrew did.

The import of the some of the early chapters is somewhat difficult to gage now, as the hot button he addresses have sort of faded from public view (it's hard for me to formulate strong opinions about the public lands issues he discusses, for instance), but I am certainly glad to read this one so I can have a more clear picture of this early twentieth century hellraiser, and feel some measure of home-state pride over it.