In an age of experts: the changing role of professionals in politics and public life

Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- CHAPTER ONE. Introduction: Professionals and the Character of American Democracy -- PART ONE: THE PROFESSIONAL STRATUM IN AMERICA -- CHAPTER TWO. Professions as Organization and Status Category -- CHAPTER THREE. Professions in the Political Economy I: Spheres and Sectors -- CHAPTER FOUR. Professions in the Political Economy II: Markets -- CHAPTER FIVE. Culture and Politics -- CHAPTER SIX. The Rhythms of Political Change -- PART TWO: EXPERTS, INTELLECTUALS, AND PROFESSIONALS -- CHAPTER SEVEN. The Influence of Policy Experts -- CHAPTER EIGHT. The Moral Imagination of Intellectuals -- CHAPTER NINE. Professionals and Politics in Postindustrial Societies -- CHAPTER TEN. Conclusion: The Transformation of the Professional Middle Class and the Future of Intellectuals -- NOTES -- INDEX

Cover Page -- Half-title Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication Page -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Chapter One : Introduction: Professionals and the Character of American Democracy -- Part One: The Professional Stratum in America -- Chapter Two: Professions as Organization and Status Category -- Chapter Three: Professions in the Political Economy I: Spheres and Sectors -- Chapter Four: Professions in the Political Economy II: Markets -- Chapter Five: Culture and Politics -- Chapter Six: The Rhythms of Political Change -- Part Two: Experts, Intellectuals, and Professionals -- Chapter Seven: The Influence of Policy Experts -- Chapter Eight: The Moral Imagination of Intellectuals -- Chapter Nine: Professionals and Politics in Postindustrial Societies -- Chapter Ten: Conclusion: The Transformation of the Professional Middle Class and the Future of Intellectuals -- Notes -- Index.

Since the 1960s the number of highly educated professionals in America has grown dramatically. During this time scholars and journalists have described the group as exercising increasing influence over cultural values and public affairs. The rise of this putative "new class" has been greeted with idealistic hope or ideological suspicion on both the right and the left. In an Age of Experts challenges these characterizations, showing that claims about the distinctive politics and values of the professional stratum have been overstated, and that the political preferences of professionals are much more closely linked to those of business owners and executives than has been commonly assumed