Billionaires : reflections on the upper crust / Darrell M. West.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-246) and index.

The controversy over billionaires -- Can rich dudes buy an election? -- Referendum campaigns and policy advocacy -- New modes of philanthropy -- Elections abroad -- The global 1,645 -- Innovative ideas -- Not a one-person act -- Better transparency, governance, and opportunity -- Hope for the future.

"In his new book, Darrell M. West analyzes the growing political activism of billionaires and how they have created more activist forms of politics and philanthropy based on their net worth. With this 'wealthification' of politics and society, it is important to understand how this concentration of wealth affects system performance as well as social and economic opportunity."

"Through personal interactions and rich anecdotes, West takes us inside the world of the super-wealthy through a balanced and insightful analysis of U.S. billionaires such as Sheldon Adelson, David and Charles Koch, George Soros, Michael Bloomberg, Bill Gates, Peter Thiel, Donald Trump and Tom Steyer. And looking abroad, West analyzes the billionaires who have run for office in nations such as Austria, Australia, France, Georgia, India, Italy, Russia, Thailand, and the Ukraine. From oligarchs in Russia and Eastern Europe to princelings in China, tycoons raise important questions about political influence, transparency, accountability, and government performance. This book argues that countries need policies that promote better transparency, governance, and opportunity."--Publisher's description.