1. An ideology is a person’s or a group’s set of values, beliefs, and ideals. It frequently refers to a collection of political values or concepts that define a community. Ideologies reflect or influence perceptions of the social and political environment and might be held consciously or unconsciously. They promote loyalty to a certain set of principles or societal change. An ideology is essentially a framework for comprehending the world and directing actions towards it.
2. Conservatives typically prioritize individuality and support a free market, less regulation, fewer taxes, and a smaller government. Liberals are more likely to be collectivist. This distinction shows up in economic policy, as liberals may favor government attempts to combat inequality while conservatives may favor tax cuts to boost the economy. On social problems, these philosophies vary as well; liberals favor social progress, while conservatives tend to uphold developed values.
3. Based on Althusser, ideology is a system of representations that influence the way individuals see themselves in society. These representations include concepts, ideas, myths, and pictures. It’s a structure that affects our ability to view the world and our place in it, rather than necessarily an intentional belief system. By portraying them as unavoidable and natural, ideology serves to uphold the current power systems. One ideology that can be used to defend economic inequality is the idea that success is always the result of hard labor. Regardless of their true circumstances, this idea pushes people to accept their place in society.

1. Who Wrote the Constitution and Who Was Left Out?
   The Constitution was written by wealthy landowners, merchants, and investors—the upper class of the time. Ordinary workers, small farmers, enslaved people, and women were not included in the process. Reading 6.2 explains that individuals who didn’t own property or who were legally restricted, such as servants and slaves, had no representation in drafting the Constitution. The framers were primarily concerned with controlling factions, which James Madison defines in Federalist #10 as groups united by a common interest that could be harmful to the rights of others or the public good. The working class was often seen as one such faction, as they might push for economic policies that threatened the wealth of the elite. According to Reading 6.1, the framers believed that working people lacked the necessary faculties—or natural abilities and resources—to govern responsibly, justifying their exclusion from political participation.
   
2. Is the Social Class System the Same Today?
   Yes, social class divisions today resemble those in early America. Wealthy individuals continue to control major industries, while the majority of people work to support themselves without accumulating much wealth. The capitalist class still believes that policies favoring them will benefit society as a whole, similar to what Reading 6.1 describes about the attitudes of the framers. Madison argued that factions would always exist because people naturally have different levels of wealth and power. He proposed two ways to control factions: removing their causes or controlling their effects. However, removing the causes would require eliminating freedom or enforcing equal property ownership, which the framers saw as unrealistic. Instead, they chose to control the effects by establishing a republic, where elected officials would make decisions, rather than a pure democracy, where people directly vote on every issue. This system helped ensure that economic elites remained in control of government policies.
   
3. Why Were the Framers Afraid of Democracy?
   The framers feared democracy because they worried that the majority of people—who had less wealth—would push for policies that reduced the power of the wealthy elite. Madison argued that in a pure democracy, the majority could easily unite against the wealthy minority and make laws that redistributed wealth. In contrast, a republic would allow elected representatives—who were often wealthy themselves—to filter the public’s demands and ensure that laws protected private property. Business owners and landholders relied on workers for labor, and they wanted to keep control over economic and political decisions. Reading 6.1 mentions that the government was designed to limit direct participation by ordinary citizens. The framers believed that if too many people had a say in government, they might pass laws that favored workers over business owners, potentially redistributing wealth or challenging private property rights. To prevent this, they created a system that kept the most important decisions in the hands of a select few.
   
4. What Does “Disenfranchised” Mean?
   “Disenfranchised” refers to being denied the right to vote or take part in government decisions. It applies to groups that have been excluded from political influence.
   
5. Who Were the Disenfranchised?
   The disenfranchised included groups such as enslaved individuals, indentured servants, women, and people without property. These individuals had no say in government decisions and were often subject to laws created by the wealthy elite. Many of them lacked economic resources, legal rights, or social standing, which kept them from influencing policies that affected their lives. Beard’s analysis points to the lower-class population as the group left out of the political process. The framers feared that if these groups gained political power, they could form factions that would challenge the authority of the elite.
   
6. Which Social Class Did Property Owners and Businessmen Belong To?
   Landowners, investors, and those involved in trade and finance were part of the upper class. Their status is clear because they controlled land, businesses, and large amounts of money. They were able to use their influence to shape the Constitution in a way that protected their economic interests and kept power concentrated among the wealthy. The framers argued that these individuals had the faculties—meaning the intelligence, education, and resources—to govern responsibly. This belief justified their control over government decisions while ensuring that the working class had little influence over policies that affected their lives.

Which Social Class Wrote the Constitution, and Which Was Excluded?
The Constitution was written by members of the wealthy elite—landowners, merchants, creditors, and plantation owners—who had significant economic and political influence. Beard argues in An Economic Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution that the framers were primarily concerned with protecting their property and financial interests. The excluded class included small farmers, laborers, debtors, and enslaved individuals, who had little to no say in the drafting process. For example, property requirements for voting and holding office ensured that only the wealthy could participate in governance. Events like Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787), in which indebted farmers protested unfair taxation and debt laws, highlight the growing divide between economic elites and the working class. The framers saw such uprisings as threats to stability, reinforcing their desire to create a system that limited the political influence of lower-class citizens.

Comparison of Early U.S. Social Class Structure to Today
While the specific economic and political structures have changed, social class divisions remain a defining feature of American society. In the 18th century, wealth and power were concentrated in the hands of a small elite, with limited social mobility for the working class. Today, although legal barriers such as property requirements for voting no longer exist, economic disparities persist. Modern policies still favor the wealthy through mechanisms like tax cuts for corporations, the influence of money in politics (e.g., Citizens United v. FEC, 2010), and disparities in access to quality education and healthcare. Parenti’s critique of structural inequalities in early America remains relevant, as systemic factors continue to shape economic opportunity. The persistence of economic elites controlling political decision-making reflects Madison’s original intent of protecting property rights, ensuring that those with economic power maintain influence.

Why Were the Framers Afraid of Democracy?
The framers feared direct democracy because they believed it would allow the lower classes—who outnumbered the wealthy elite—to challenge economic privilege and push for policies that could redistribute wealth. Madison, in Federalist #10, explicitly expresses concern that a majority of non-property owners could unite to pass laws that threatened the interests of the wealthy minority. Historical examples, such as opposition to debt relief for farmers and resistance to paper money (which would benefit debtors), illustrate how elites sought to control economic policy. By designing a government with checks on direct popular influence—such as the Electoral College and the original system of appointing Senators rather than electing them—the framers ensured that decision-making remained largely in the hands of the wealthy. This aligns with Beard’s argument that the Constitution was created to serve the interests of property owners, rather than establishing an egalitarian democracy.

The fact that most of the wealthiest 1% of Americans own more wealth than the bottom 90% put together, which surprised me the most about wealth inequality in the US. Due to this extreme concentration of wealth, a small group holds the majority of financial resources, while the majority of people have much less. Such an imbalance raises serious questions concerning economic mobility, wages, and access to necessary resources. The widening wealth disparity may have long-term effects on political influence, educational opportunities, and social stability.

This disparity impacts society in numerous ways, including economic instability, limited social mobility, political divisions, and unequal access to critical services like healthcare and education. With so much wealth concentrated at the top, those in the bottom 90% often struggle to achieve financial security. One major effect is the inequality in education—schools in wealthier neighborhoods benefit from higher property tax revenue, allowing for modern facilities and experienced teachers. Meanwhile, schools in lower-income areas often lack sufficient funding, leading to overcrowded classrooms and outdated resources, putting students at a disadvantage.

This gap is also evident in the healthcare sector. While those with less money frequently do not have access to even the most basic medical services, which leads to worse health outcomes, the wealthiest people can afford high-quality insurance and preventive care. Naturally occurring disasters provide a vivid illustration of this discrepancy. Richer people can afford to rebuild, evacuate, or use emergency resources during hurricanes, wildfires, or periods of extreme heat. On the other hand, the worst effects are felt by low-income communities, which frequently have less stable housing and fewer financial safety nets. The housing crisis is yet another glaring illustration of wealth inequality. It is almost impossible for middle- and lower-class people to find affordable housing in cities like New York due to skyrocketing property prices, which are partly caused by wealthy investors. This results in rising Homelessness and displacement.