City Journal Audio The Rich Are Good for Democracy
Feb 6, 2026
John O. McGinnis, George C. Dix Professor in Constitutional Law and author, argues wealthy individuals can widen political pluralism and fund bold experiments. He discusses the entrepreneurial origins of modern wealth, private philanthropy’s distinct public benefits, tech and AI risks tied to wealth taxes, and how rich patrons sustain urban cultural life.
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Wealth Breaks The Clerisy's Monopoly
- The clerisy (media, academia, entertainment) holds a near-monopoly on shaping democratic conversation and skews left.
- The rich break that monopoly by bringing diverse views and new media platforms into the conversation.
Independence Lets Wealth Fund Reform Trials
- Wealth provides independence that enables rich individuals to challenge entrenched special interests like unions and bureaucracies.
- Rich donors fund experiments and public goods that legislatures often won't attempt, increasing democratic trial-and-error.
Tech Wealth Is A Renewing Force
- Many of today's rich are self-made, especially in tech, making wealth more fluid and less oligarchic than classical inherited fortunes.
- New tech wealth renews society by bringing different perspectives each generation.
