power elite vs. pluralist model

In the United States, public policy is shaped by multiple factors, from average citizens voices in elections to interest groups and organizations. In their study, “Testing theories of American politics”, scholars Benjamin Page and Martin Gilens explore the impact of average citizens, the economic elite and interest groups have on the passage of public policy. Additionally through their, Page and Gilens(2014) have found “that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence” (Pg 535). This means that when it comes to the creation of public policies, rich people and groups

In a pluralist democracy like in the United States, interest groups have played a major role throughout the history through highly organized factions and are aimed at different levels of government. Lobbying is one of the tactics of the interest groups to aid their agenda through implementing new laws and regulations. "If you want to have your face in the light, you should have your back in the dark". Similarly, the influences of the interests groups and lobbyists have good and bad effects on the people and the society.

Two-tiered pluralism differs from pluralism because of the effect it has upon the minority groups of the nation. While there is an equal legal backing for all racial and ethnic communities, minorities are still undermined by the system thus becoming segregated. Moreover in politics, minority groups tend to be under seclusion even though the current enacted laws grant equality at all stages. The amount of resources given to minorities are very different to elites leading to the practices and outcomes to be unequal (Lecture 6). Pluralism is very different from the two-tiered pluralism framework as it focuses upon group-based competition and that everyone has equal opportunities

Politics is an integral part of our society, and in order for the citizens of any society, or a county to protect their rights and interest, electing the right people, and right theories are necessary. When it comes to government, Elitism and Pluralism are two systems which can be used as a structure of how the powers will be distributed. While the theory of Elitism prefers the distribution of power to be based on wealth, ancestry and intellect; Pluralism theory is much more diverse in the distribution of power, as it ensures equality for everyone, regardless of any differences. Pluralism serves as the model of modern western democracy. In the case of Baltimore, the pluralist theory is much more efficient due to its views on authority, rights

An interest group also known as a special interest group or a lobby is an organized group of individuals, organizations, or businesses who share a goal. The interest group forms an alliance in support of their cause to influence public policy and government officials in the group 's favor. The goal of the group could be focused on small group, such as the Japan Eraser Manufacturer 's Association; or the goal could be focused on a large public group, such as family and friends of public school-aged children in the United States. "The most important lobbying forces in any society are the various entities of government: national, regional, and local government agencies and institutions such as the military" (Thomas).???????????

We start this essay with this famous quote from Berry introducing us to what exactly an interest group is. Indeed in general, public opinion and people unaware of an interest group’s actions might regard interest groups in a negative light. The more famous interest groups can tend to generate a lot of negative publicity. For instance, in the US one of the most famous interest groups is the National Rifle Association, which defends the right to bear weapons. This, of course, has led to controversy especially given the recent high school shootings in

At the crux of understanding this segment of thought is understanding that, at the core, elites have controlled society and government since the beginning of mankind. In fact, it is democracy and the democratic method (such as devised in the United States) that serves as the crucial check on the power of elites over society. In this paper we will examine who the powerful are, the interests they represent, and lastly how democracy serves as a check on those powers.

I am more of a pluralist, but understand the need for some of the power elite system. The people should ultimately decide what the country should more go towards, they should be the force that evolves the country. And forming special interests groups are great, because a group has more power than a signal individual. I believe that the elitists are more of a balancing force, or restoring force. Which allows the people to guide the country, but not to far into one direction too fast. This is because people’s perception and ideas might be skewed to exactly what the facts of the situation are. So the elitists are there to be knowledgeable enough to make decisions that will not let the people go in a direction, where they really don’t want to go.

Ideally, the national power structure in the U.S. would be of the pluralist model, in which “power is dispersed rather than concentrated,” under a democratic government, a government “by the people and for the people” (Eitzen, 318). Unfortunately, this is not the case. The national power structure in the U.S. is one of the elitist model of power in which “there is a pyramid of power. The people at the apex control the rest of the pyramid” (Eitzen, 318). According to Eitzen there are three Power Elite models, the model I wish to focus on, as it best represents the national power structure in the U.S., is the Power Elite II model, G. William “Domhoffs “Governing Class” Theory.”

When unions cease to exist in our country, the control of power is drifting away from the people into the hands that begin to form an oligarchy. The corruption continues to grow when an oligarchy has formed and the majority of people are no longer in overall general control. Those who consist of a lower or lesser status of the rich elite are essentially a middle-class and poor people shoved into the peasant category. The American way to live in freedom comes through a body of society harnessing the power of the people as a majority rule that votes toward or away from shaping the future.

In the United States this elite group is a handful of key members of leaders of big influential organizations unavoidably dominate all important aspect of societies, their existence is mostly based on the inequality in our society and by making law that seem to benefit everybody but in reality is just a tools to further dominate the lower class and insure their superiority. they are controlling the top major areas government, economy and the military (Wright Mills).For example, most elected officials within the political elite are Reliant on wealthy families and big company leaders for their financial support, and

In a government such as Jefferson describes, majoritarian politics is most fitting. Majoritarian politics generally occurs when the government considers issues important to the people. The people have more power because pressure from the majority opinion is exerted on the leader. Meanwhile, elitism occurs when public opinion is largely absent, giving leaders greater freedom to act in self-interest. There are several theories of elitism: Marxism, which describes power as being in the hands of business leaders, a view exemplified by the influence held by American capitalists; the power elite theory, in which key leaders in society control and are served by the government, can be seen in the influence held by the media and wealthy members of society; the bureaucratic view, which holds the official as the vessel of power and hand behind administrative action, and may be exemplified by members of Congress, who deliberate amongst themselves on matters that may concern the public; and the pluralist view, which describes various powerful groups in government and politics as cooperating with each other while being aware of the public opinion in order to maintain popularity. This is observed in the cooperation between various branches of government and powerful organizations. Elitism allows for more self-interest. Although a self-interested government does not necessarily dictate that policies will be unbeneficial for the people, it is on the whole detrimental and less restricted than the ideal Jefferson held for government. A majoritarian government is best suited to Jefferson’s idea of

Interest group all have a "special interest"in that they may only cater to one particular group or cause. Initial interest groups were formed for a number, but per the text most are formed due to "social change and economic pressure." An early example or a special interest group formed due to the debate over the slavery led to the formation of abolitionist groups and in response pro-slavery groups were also formed. According to the text because we live in an indirect democracy these groups elect representatives who have the ability to “pass laws and make polices for them.” (124) Identifying whether a group is conservative or liberal can be determined by their goals. For example, a pro-life interest group can be identified as conservative; on

Elites are people who get more of society’s valuables, such as wealth and respect (Wasserman, pg. 4). Power is “the ability to influence another’s behavior” (Wasserman, pg. 3). It can be through rewards, coercion, or persuasion. Legitimate power is power that is “accepted as right” (Wasserman, pg. 4) or chose by using an agreed upon procedure (Wasserman, pg. 5), or authority deserving obedience (Wasserman, pg. 5). Elites gain authority and authority gains power. People feel they should follow authority. This power and authority control politics. If elites are expected to get the most and are the ones who gain authority, etc., then the problem of economic inequality will affect the U.S. by lowering the number of people with legitimate power.

Q1. Power elite theory suggests "that the leaders of big organizations inevitably dominate all large-scale societies, including the United States" (Domhoff 2005). Contrary to strict Marxism, which suggests that the 'haves' or privileged individuals within a given society hold the reins of power, and strict class conflict determines who dominates, power elite theory stresses that a certain elite group of persons (which can be a mix of the nation's intelligentsia, politicians, leaders of corporations, and other powerful individuals) structure society to benefit themselves. Wealth and possessing occupations with a great deal of social cache and living in the 'right' areas enable members of the elites to send their children to the 'correct' schools and create social, financial, and political networks that enable the elites to remain in power. Even supposedly liberal Democrats in the United States like Barak Obama are often beholden to the need to get elected and rely upon financing from elite financial institutions. This is a powerful challenge to the concept of meritocracy and class mobility.