http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27074746

“The US is dominated by a rich and powerful elite.

“So concludes a recent study by Princeton University Prof Martin Gilens and Northwestern University Prof Benjamin I Page.

“This is not news, you say.

“Perhaps, but the two professors have conducted exhaustive research to try to present data-driven support for this conclusion. Here’s how they explain it:

“Multivariate analysis indicates that economic elites and organised groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on US government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence.

“In English: the wealthy few move policy, while the average American has little power.”