Episode 166: Lawyers, Lawyers, and More Lawyers

In a democracy, government is supposed to represent the people. But Congress doesn’t exactly look like your average American. In fact, lawyers make up a huge number of our federal representatives, but only a small percentage of the American population. Professor Adam Bonica unravels why we have so many lawyers in office, what fundraising has to do with it, and what it all means for how our government functions.

For more on this topic:

• Read this Vox piece on Bonica’s research, There are too many lawyers in politics. Here’s what to do about it.
• Check out his academic articles, Professional Networks, Early Fundraising, and Electoral Success and Why Are There So Many Lawyers in Congress?