Media and business elites: still in conflict? - Statistical Data Included

Public Interest, Spring, 2001 by Stanley Rothman, Amy E. Black

One other variable may be related to the lack of trust expressed by some cultural elites. When asked if they agree with the statement, "The structure of our society causes many people to feel alienated," cultural and business elites voiced very different opinions. About three of five business leaders (62 percent) agree with this statement, although only one in six express strong agreement. In contrast, most members of the cultural elite believe that society causes much alienation. More than eight of ten journalists and Hollywood elites (86 percent and 87 percent, respectively) agree, with roughly half of each group expressing strong agreement.

In addition to asking about levels of trust, the survey included a question about philanthropic activity. We asked: "On the average, how many hours per month do you spend doing volunteer work for a charity, a school, a church or other nonprofit organization?" Business leaders score highest, reporting an average of 7.6 hours per month to charitable work; Holly wood elites are in second place with 6.6 hours, or about 15 percent less. Journalists, however, report spending a little more than half as much time volunteering, averaging 3.9 hours of philanthropic work monthly. The differences between the three groups may partially reflect differences in political ideology. American conservatives emphasize individual initiatives and private philanthropy, while liberals believe the public sector is best equipped to help those in need. Perhaps the differences we have found are therefore not too surprising.

Bobos in trouble

The most divisive issues among the three groups in our survey are clearly economic and political. The business and cultural elites still divide sharply on questions of equality and government regulation of the economy. Despite the discrediting of centrally planned economies produced by the collapse of the Soviet Union and other Communist regimes, attitudes about government control of the economy have not changed very much since the 1980s. The cultural elite maintains strong levels of support for a more egalitarian society in which government plays a substantial role. They are distrustful of the power of business and would like to see it reduced. While the contemporary Democratic party is more moderate than it was in the l970s, it still contains a strong populist wing committed to income redistribution and regulation of business.

On the other hand, some of the major issues of the culture war seem less divisive, at least among the elite groups we surveyed. Journalists, leaders of the business community, and Hollywood elites all strongly support abortion rights, though the greater public is very divided on the issue. Disagreements about adultery and homosexuality (perhaps the most salient issue of the culture war today) are sharper, but on the latter question it is obvious that the culture has moved a great deal in the past 20 years. After all, more than one-third of businessmen today believe that homosexuality is as acceptable as heterosexuality. We doubt that the same group would have given that kind of response 20 years ago.