America's Political Dynasties

The Constitution states that no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States,” yet it seems political nobility is as American as apple pie. As Hess illustrates, while there always have been dynasties in America, they have not always been the same families: Dynasties are born and dynasties die, their rise and fall is part of the flux of a constantly changing political scene. America was founded in rebellion against nobility and inherited status. Yet from the start, dynastic families ha