Political Affiliations of American Economic Elites: Wayne County, Michigan, 1844, 1860, as a Test Case

<p>The scope of this study has been dictated by its methodology, which, in turn, has been determined by its aim. In order to formulate with precision a theory of political behavior for economic leaders of the mid-nineteenth century it is necessary to document the economic careers, ethnic origins, religious affiliations and family backgrounds of a carefully selected economic elite. What is obtained by the extensive documentation of over one-hundred and seventy-five individuals is the opportunity to study the relationship of these attributes to political affiliation. By tabulating these attributes against party affiliation, relationships were discovered which indicate that religious and ethno-cultural influences among certain groups affected political behavior more strongly than did economic factors. At the same time, other groups may have been influenced by their economic class position. When similar studies have been undertaken, it will be possible to develop precise generalizations concerning political behavior. Such generalizations are indispensible for a more complete understanding of the nature of poitical conflict in American life.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Year dc:date.available

1965

Author dc:creator

• McCoy, Alexandra

Contributors dc:contributor

• Miller

• Political History
• United States History

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/823

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.wayne.edu:oa_dissertations-1822