Does the Numerical Underrepresentation of the Working Class in Congress Matter?

Working-class citizens have been numerically underrepresented in policymaking institutions throughout most of America‟s history. Little is known, however, about the political consequences of this enduring feature of our democratic system. This essay examines the relationship between legislators‟ class backgrounds and their votes on economic policy in the House of Representatives during the 20th century. Like ordinary Americans, representatives from working-class occupations exhibit more liberal economic preferences than other legislators, especially those from profit-oriented professions. These findings provide the first evidence of a link between the descriptive and substantive representation of social classes in the United States.

Duke Scholars

Author Nicholas W. Carnes Sanford School of Public Policy