Introduction to American Politics online course discussion – West
I need support with this Political Science question so I can learn better.
Be sure to read carefully and share your thought after reading. Just aim to understand and digest material and thoughts. No need to memorize anything. Also, comment constructively on a classmates’ posting.
(I will attach Chapter 7 of the book)
West, Ch SEVEN “Undue Influence” p145
Overt Corruption 145
College Admissions 151
Philanthropy 159
Here is classmate’s posting from question. Please reply in 1st person point of view.
Classmate’s post
Darrell Wests chapter 7 “Undue Influence” first covers the corruption of local politics. He describes the influence of money in politics on a small scale referring to gift exchange for a good inspection report on his farm. He also explains the corruption in politics revolving around his Rhode Island town. Then he explains the power of politics. He was warned that if he continued to criticize the governor it was possible they would try to “plant drugs” on him.(p147, West) This introduction to how politics is played gives him the opportunity to speak of politics on the level of Universities. The monetary donations and gifts and how it affects admissions is not a secret, however he outlines them for us anyway. Finally he speaks about his own manipulation of philanthropy. Though West seems to have pure intentions, he does gain something from a wealthy donor and works to keep the donations directed at his department. His intentions are pure because this donor had become a friend and he knew that his friend wanted his donations to go to specific causes and not the institution at large.
This was another great chapter by West. I do not think I learned anything new but it was a good read on his personal experiences with money, gifts and exchanges in politics of different forms. When reading about the advantages that money will afford you, it is hard to not feel a twinge of jealousy and a little bit of outrage. Especially at the honest admission that Ted Turner made in his speech that it was his first million that was hard to make. After that “Money begets money”. (p157 West) I do think that it is a big problem that it is becoming harder to be prosperous in this country unless you already have a head start.
West speaks about corruption in local politics then moves on to the role money plays in college admissions and how concerned institutions are with their philanthropic donors. It is easy to see the connection. Money has corrupted these organizations because they are being run as businesses and not as their primary function. Government is not a business. Schools are not businesses. They shouldn’t be ran like one.
Work Cited
“Chapter 7 Undue Influence.” Divided Politics, Divided Nation: Hyperconflict in the Trump Era, by Darrell M. West, Brookings Institution Press, 2019.
