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Power and class in political fiction : elite theory and the post-war Washington novel / David Smit.

Smit, David, author.
2019
PS374.P6 S65 2019
Available Online
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Title
Power and class in political fiction : elite theory and the post-war Washington novel / David Smit.
Author
Smit, David, author.
ISBN
9783030267698 (electronic book)
3030267695 (electronic book)
9783030267681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26769-8
Published
Cham, Switzerland : Palgrave Macmillan, [2019]
Language
English
Description
1 online resource
Item Number
10.1007/978-3-030-26769-8 doi
Call Number
PS374.P6 S65 2019
Dewey Decimal Classification
813.009/358
Summary
This book introduces Elite Theory to the literary study of class as a framework for addressing issues of the nature of governance in political fiction. The book describes the historical development and major tenets of Elite Theory, and shows how each of four post-war Washington novels--Gore Vidals Washington, D.C.; Allen Drurys Advise and Consent; Joan Didions Democracy; and Ward Justs Echo House--illustrates the way class-based political elites exhibit forms of "ruling-class consciousness" and maintain their legitimacy in an ostensibly democratic form of government by promoting themselves as models of behavior, promulgating an ideology that justifies their rule through their control of the media, and accepting new members from the lower classes. Reading these novels through a socio-political lens, David Smit offers suggestions for ways to work for a more just and equitable society in light of what this analysis reveals about the "culture" that produces our political elites.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
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Access limited to authorized users.
Source of Description
Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on October 04, 2019).
Available in Other Form
Power and Class in Political Fiction : Elite Theory and the Post-War Washington Novel
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Intro; Acknowledgements; Contents; Chapter 1: Introduction; The Political Novel; The Washington Novel; Elite Theory and Ruling Elites; References; Chapter 2: Class Consciousness in Late-Twentieth-Century America; Post-War Working-Class Consciousness; Post-War Ruling-Class Consciousness; References; Chapter 3: Elite Theory and the American Political Directorate; A Brief History of Elite Theory; Contemporary American Elite Theory; Class and the Elite; Power; References; Chapter 4: Gore Vidal's Washington, D.C.: Maintaining Legitimacy; References

Chapter 5: Allen Drury's Advise and Consent: Moderate Ruling-Elite IdeologyReferences; Chapter 6: Joan Didion's Democracy: Moderate Ruling-Elite Constituencies; References; Chapter 7: Ward Just's Echo House: Implementing Policy/Accepting Others; References; Chapter 8: Conclusion; The Cultural Problem; The Political Problem; References; Index

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