Banking on Politics

A Study of Campaign Contributions and Revolving Doors

Abstract

The Establishment model of American politics is examined through a study of the political involvement of the largest 100 banks. Establishmentism posits a close and mutually beneficial relationship between economic and political elites. The findings indicate that larger; more transnational and economically connected banks from New York are indeed more politically involved with respect to campaign contributions and revolving doors. The implications of the findings are then discussed.