Reddit mentions of Governing California: Politics, Government, And Public Policy in the Golden State

Alright. First I would like to apologize for calling you a pleb. That was uncalled for but you did struck a nerve.

Second, the subject of American corporations involvement in the 19th century, and early 20th century American politics is a very broad topic, and it is really unpractical for me to explain it here. But since you insist that I do, I will size it down in scope, so instead of the overall American politics I would explain it in a state level, specifically California.

In the early 20th century, California was heavily manipulated by the Southern Pacific Railroad due to the fact that they played a large role in its infrastructure and transportation of people and goods (Johnston, Patrick. Governing California, Third Edition, http://www.amazon.com/Governing-California-Politics-Government-Public/dp/0877724202). As a response Hiram Johnson established the initiative process in California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Johnson). Johnson and the initiative process stripped power from corrupt officials, and boss-led parties. But how did Johnson come to power? Well, the people were sick of politicians being puppets of these railroad companies, thus they elected him as governor.

Additionally, California before the arrival of Jesse Unruh and his Proposition 1A had a part-time legislature which made them vulnerable to individuals like Artie Samish who was a political boss in the 1950s. Since the Californian legislature was part-time with little pay, and no professional staff they were dependent on Artie Samish and other political patrons (lobbyists) for information and guidance, if not even livelihood. Artie Samish would set up these "shrimp hour" where he can buy the loyalty of politicians through "shrimps and alcohol" (Johnston. http://www.amazon.com/Governing-California-Politics-Government-Public/dp/0877724202) But, when the people again got tired of the overwhelming influence of corporations in the legislature they elected Jesse Unruh, and supported and voted on his Proposition 1A that transformed the legislature into a professional body that worked full time with increased pay, which ultimately led to the legislature's independence from lobby groups.

Thus, these facts of history support my argument that a century ago corporations/private interest groups had more opportunities to influence the American politicians due to the fact that laws, regulations, policies, even infrastructure was not there to limit their back-handed affairs. Like I stated above, California's legislature was once dependent on private groups for their livelihood, and staffing due to the fact that they worked part-time with little or no pay. But, today it's different. The legislature due to Proposition 1A is a fully functioning body that can confront, mediate, and regulate corporations. Not only that due to the establishment of the initiative process by Hiram Johnson the Californians can petition and amend constitutional and statutory laws with a simple majority in the ballot (Johnston, Governing California).

Thus, today there is a developed infrastructure to confront corporations from overwhelming American politicians. It may not be perfect, and corporations may have found new routes to lobby and influence the government, but in no way is it in the level of the 19th century or the early 20th century. In no way is it dominating American politics as it did a century before.