The Professions that Dominate the US Government

March 1, 2012 in Daily Bulletin

Catherine Rampell who lists “Dollars to Donuts” as her motto recently took a look at the change in history over the professions that dominate the US government. Highlights include:

  • The share of lawyers in the US Senate peaked at 51% in 1972. It currently stands at 37% and the trend is downward.
  • Senators with military experience also peaked in 1972 at about 75%.
  • Bankers and businessmen, on the other hand, have become a stronger force in the senate going from 11% in 1946 to 20% today.
  • These patterns are broadly reflected in the House of Representatives as well.

To read about what has happened to the agriculturalist in the US government, as well as the specific breakdown of the houses by occupation click here.

Source: The New York Times