Membership Has Its Privileges

Abstract

It is well established that individuals who belong to voluntary associations are more likely to participate in democratic politics. This article examines the possibility that the participation-promoting aspects of America’s nonpolitical voluntary organizations are not experienced equally by all members. Not only are privileged Americans more likely to join nonpolitical voluntary organizations, but they are more likely to benefit from their membership after the point of joining. The participation-promoting benefits of membership accrue disproportionately to white, male, wealthy, and well-educated members, thus reinforcing participatory stratification. Evidence suggests that stratification results from both member and leader choices and behaviors.