Term
| What is the Elitist Model of power? |
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Definition
| The elitist view of power is that there is a pyramid of power. The people at the apex control the rest of the pyramid. Pluralists, on the other hand, see power as dispersed rather than concentrated. Power is broadly distributed among a number of organizations, special interests, and the voters. |
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Term
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Definition
| Democracy is the form of government in which the people have the ultimate power, where the will of the majority prevails, where there is equality before the law, and decisions are made to maximize the common good. In a complex society of more than 310 million people, the people cannot make all decisions: they must elect representatives to make most decisions. So, decision making is concentrated at the top, but it is to be controlled by the people who elect the decision makers. |
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Term
| What is the PLURALIST MODEL OF POWER? |
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Definition
| The representative-democracy version of pluralism emphasizes that the people have ultimate power. The people elect representatives who are responsive to the people's wishes. This version ignores the many instances in which the people have been deliberately misled by their leaders, secrecy, and the undemocratic manner in which election campaigns are funded. |
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Term
| What is the VETO GROUPS VERSION OF PLURALISM? |
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Definition
| The veto-groups version of pluralism recognizes the existence of a number of organizations and special interest groups that vie for power. There is a balance of power, however, with no one sector getting its way. The groups tend to neutralize each other, resulting in compromise. Critics of this view of power argue that it is an idealized version that ignores reality. The interests groups are not equal in power. Power does not shift from issue to issue. Also at the apex of each of the competing groups are members of the upper class, suggesting the possibility of a power elite. |
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Term
| Marxists assert that there is a ruling class. What are 2 variations on this theme? |
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Definition
| Marxists assert that there is a ruling class. There are 2 variations on this theme. 1. The INSTRUMENTALIST VIEW is the ruling class(capitalists) does not govern (that is, hold office) but that it rules by controlling political officials and institutions. The STRUCTURALIST VIEW is that the state serves the interests of the capitalist class because whoever holds government office will make decisions that promote stability and a healthy business climate-both of which enhance the interests of the capitalist group. |
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Term
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Definition
| In C. Wright Mill's view of power, there is a power elite composed of the top people in the executive branch of the federal government, the military, and the corporate sector. Although these people represent different interests, they tend to perceive the world in a like manner because of their similar social class backgrounds and similar role expectations, because they interact socially, because their children go to the same schools and intermarry, and because they share similar interests. There is considerable evidence for the linkages among these 3 sectors. There are some problems with this view, however. The equality of these three groups is not a fact. There is conflict among the 3 sectors. Other sectors of power are ignored. |
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