power elite vs. pluralist model
Abstract Both the Elite and the Pluralist models are a means by which public policy is created. Both do not conform to the democracy created by our fore-fathers; a government for the people and by the people. The Elite model is one in which a small group of wealthy white males hold the power and control the policy making for our country. In contrast, the Pluralist model suggest that the power is distributed among interest groups that compete to control public policy. Both Karl Marx(1883) and C. Wright Mills (1956) are famous for their views on the “rule by few” or the power elite. Through money and power, the power elite has a large influence on how the government elects, makes laws and operates on a daily basis.
Power Elite vs. Pluralist Model It has been said that one of the biggest threats to democracy in the United States is apathetic voters, more specifically, ignorance of the masses that leads to apathy (Dye, Zeigler, & Schubert, p. 79). Many blame citizens of the lower and middle class, claiming that they are lazy or that they simply do not care. Are citizens really to blame or has the government itself created apathy among the masses? Dating back to 1776, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, money equaled power. Those with money or “income producing land” had political power (Domhoff, p.55). Today these “landowners” are our high political leaders, corporate owners and military leaders. This leads to the question of: Is our country a true democracy, something we have prided ourselves on for centuries, or are we closer to a plutocracy, a government ran by the wealthy(Krugman)? By taking a closer look at special interest, policy-making and candidate selection processes, we can see how heavily our government relies on and answers to the power elite instead of the masses. Who are the Power Elite? First, we must understand exactly who the power elite are, a term coined by Karl Marx (Anderson
Power Elite vs. Pluralist Model It has been said that one of the biggest threats to democracy in the United States is apathetic voters, more specifically, ignorance of the masses that leads to apathy (Dye, Zeigler, & Schubert, p. 79). Many blame citizens of the lower and middle class, claiming that they are lazy or that they simply do not care. Are citizens really to blame or has the government itself created apathy among the masses? Dating back to 1776, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, money equaled power. Those with money or “income producing land” had political power (Domhoff, p.55). Today these “landowners” are our high political leaders, corporate owners and military leaders. This leads to the question of: Is our country a true democracy, something we have prided ourselves on for centuries, or are we closer to a plutocracy, a government ran by the wealthy(Krugman)? By taking a closer look at special interest, policy-making and candidate selection processes, we can see how heavily our government relies on and answers to the power elite instead of the masses. Who are the Power Elite? First, we must understand exactly who the power elite are, a term coined by Karl Marx (Anderson
References: Anderson, Margaret L. & Taylor, Howard Francis. (2008). Sociology: Understanding a diverse society Domhoff, G. William. (2005). The class domination theory of power. Retrieved August 27, 2013, from http://www2.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/class_domination.html Dye, T.R. & Zeigler, H. (2012). The irony of democracy: An uncommon introduction to American politics Independence Hall Association. (2008-2013). American government: policy making: political interactions Reynolds, H.T. (1996). The power elite. Retrieved August 27, 2013, from http://www.soc ialstudieshelp.com/apgov_power_elite_htm