Political Dynasties · Hollywood Nepotism · Inherited Advantage
A newsletter tracking inherited advantage, family networks, and nepotism across entertainment, business, and politics.
Latest research

Inherited Advantage
Unpaid Internship Systems and Wealthy Family Access
Unpaid internships filter careers by wealth and networks, not merit.
- Murdoch Family Media Empire and Succession FightA trust dispute shows Rupert couldn't simply choose his successor, despite building the empire.
- Legacy Admissions at Ivy League Universities and Career OutcomesLegacy preferences give wealthy families a five-fold admissions boost at Ivies.
- Koch Brothers Business Empire and Heir ApparentHow a private empire's management philosophy prepared its heir to lead innovation bets.
- Appointed Versus Elected Political Heirs in State GovernmentsAppointment powers let governors shape elections before voters cast a single ballot.
Political Dynasties
View all →- Appointed Versus Elected Political Heirs in State GovernmentsAppointment powers let governors shape elections before voters cast a single ballot.
- Political Spouses Who Won Their Partner's Former SeatPolitical spouses often won these races because name recognition mattered more than policy platform.
- Bush Dynasty Presidential Politics and Family NetworkHow a family's grip on Republican power crumbled when Trump seized its institutional machinery.
- Children of US Presidents Who Sought Political OfficeFamous names give candidates an early edge, but only their own record keeps them in power.
Hollywood Nepotism
View all →- Fashion Model Dynasties in the Supermodel EraVisibility and money turned modeling into a heritable asset.
- Music Industry Dynasties Built on Famous ParentsInherited advantage and famous surnames shortcut the path to a recording contract.
- Reality TV Families Who Turned Fame Into Acting CareersSome reality stars build lasting acting careers; most don't.
- Hollywood Directing Dynasties Across GenerationsThree generations reveal how directing talent rarely passes down like other family legacies.
Inherited Advantage
View all →- Unpaid Internship Systems and Wealthy Family AccessUnpaid internships filter careers by wealth and networks, not merit.
- Legacy Admissions at Ivy League Universities and Career OutcomesLegacy preferences give wealthy families a five-fold admissions boost at Ivies.
- Elite Private School Networks That Feed Industry AccessPrep school choice shapes which elite universities—and careers—become reachable.