HKS Authors

See citation below for complete author information.

Abstract

The deepening political dysfunction plaguing the US can be traced not to wealth inequality, as some argue, but to the fact that different groups of voters believe different facts. A political strategy that takes this into account might eventually lead to wealth redistribution, but it must begin with improved critical-thinking skills.

Citation

Frankel, Jeffrey. "Oligarchy Is a Symptom, Not a Cause." Project Syndicate, September 25, 2026.