The traditional class analysis of politics in industrial societies described a politics that pitted the well-off business class against the less well-off working class in a "democratic class struggle." This book holds that economic development has produced a new class which rivals the business class in the politics of post-industrial societies. Based in the professions with high levels of education, the New Class' interests are served by the expansion of government. Extensive analysis of survey and aggregate data show that liberal and left politics is indeed based in these social groups, and not among low status workers. American politics today is best understood as a conflict between the new class and the traditional business class, with the working class supporting one of the elite classes, depending on the issue and political context.