criticism of elite theory

Through positions in corporations or on corporate boards, and influence over policy-planning networks through the financial support of foundations or positions with think tanks or policy-discussion groups, members of the "elite" exert significant power over corporate and government decisions. This is precisely what the theory of democracy as self-government boils down to: a myth. This is, as it happens, the analytical strategy adopted by Marx in The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Napoleon. (i) The problematic of the agents of power and the source of power can only be resolved within the theoretical realm of Marxism. The concept of elite (or "political class" or "oligarchy" and so on) was notably borne out of the explicit objective of refuting the concept of class as a little or non-workable theoretical notion. New Left Review, 138: 37-55. Damele, G., Campos, A.S. Introduction. (ed.). in Western-style democracies from a democratic-elite - or what I prefer to term a demo-elite - perspective. A major problem, in turn, is the ability of elites to co-opt counter-elites. This lack of importance, however, is an arbitrary derivation of certain theoretical postulates, and not the product of historical, empirical analysis which prove them. Penguin Books; London, England, Dahrendorf, Ralf (1990) Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: In a letter intended to have been sent to a gentleman in Warsaw. Lastly, it is undeniable that elitism suffers from two interrelated limitations. 437-438). _________. Are these flaws reason enough to suspend the dialogue between and elitism? Paris, PUF. (2006), Nem com Marx, nem contra Marx. Hence, it is a mistake to argue that any elite theoretician cannot identity the "true" basis of political power. From the state itself, in that it is considered the exclusive source of political power (as in Weber and Michels)? DeKalb, Northern Illinois University Press. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). At the time Mills was writing, academic sociology was in the process of proclaiming itself a science. Today, one of the most insidious and damaging of these phenomena is the move by the power elite to privatize our nation's public education system. Lua Nova, 71: 81-121. The following three articles redirect their attention to the fundamental elements of elite theory, following the assumption that the history of classical and democratic elitism requires a constant re-reading in order to have some utility for analyses about the present. Drawing mainly on a conceptual framework developed by Gramsci, she introduces the idea of a hegemonic majority that, by accounting for greater individual and collective engagement and responsibility, breaks the exclusivity of elitism. editors. ; iii) or, quite the contrary, is this a reciprocally autonomous relationship, in which both stand independently? A Critique of the Elitist Theory of Democracy. At bottom, we are trying to pin down the elite . The Free Press, New York, Mosca G (1939) The ruling class. An elite is anyone who falls into the top ten percentile of the nation's wealth. One of its most famous foundational texts is the book by Karl Marx (and Friedrich Engels . According to both Mosca and Pareto, there is a clear distinction between the faade legitimation, represented by political programs, ideologies, public declarations, and even laws and constitutions, and the real motives for political action. They make the selection of the elite possible, and they organise the majority while making the ruling minorities accountable. The will-to-power thesis remains key in political processes. Criticism has been defined by various authorities is given below: According to Pareto: Elite consists of those successful persons who rise to top in every occupation and stratum of society; there is an elite of lawyers, an elite of mechanics and even an elite of thieves. Even if democracy is just one possible political model which legitimises the ruling class and its power, as classical elitists maintained, the adoption of one or another model is not without consequences for the members of non-elites. There is a second, more empirical question which concerns the division of political power: is there a unity among elites (as Mosca, Michels, Mills and Meynaud, inter alia, argue) or rather a plurality of elites (as per Parsons, Aron, and Dahl)? Her intention is to reinforce the democratic decision-making process without developing a concept of authority based on an exclusive elite. The choice between the expressions "dominant class" and "political elite" is not, however, merely a matter of terminology. Adinolfi aims to answer one major question: What are the effects of a critical juncture on the formation process of what he calls the political field? Criticism of classical elite theorists by writers such as Meisel centres on the notion that the ruling elite is claimed to be a class. This is power in the strategic sense. Palavras-chave: Marxismo; Teoria das elites; Teoria social; Nicos Poulantzas; Anlise de classe. And finally there is the question of the relationship of political and economic power: in Marxist terms, how to think of complex links between the political (level) and the economic (level)? In his book The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom, published in 1943, James Burnham made the then-astonishing claim that classical elitists were not necessarily anti-democratic. New Left Review, 59, jan.-fev. The choice of this sort of object of investigation is based on a hypothesis (one that is, by definition, refutable) which would allow the social scientist to avoid two very common temptations of political sociology: In order to avoid the traps of purely structural conceptions, which by means of metaphors spare themselves from using empirical procedures, but also without reducing the social system to the sum of individuals acting in a more or less voluntary manner, it is fundamental to recall that the action of the State, as an institution, depends greatly upon the people who run it (Idem. The problem of this conception is that, in reality, it divides political power (Idem, p. 158), something that is, by definition, non-sharable. This observation comes with a caveat. What is more, the neo-elitists will argue that the transformation of capitalist system since the mid twentieth century (the separation between property and the means of production, effective social mobility among groups, the decentralization of government functions, the transformation of individuals into a "mass," the new roles taken on by state bureaucracy and so on) rendered obsolete the idea of a class that is at once politically and economically dominant. The empirical assumption behind the defense of elite rule at the time was the unequal distribution of the finest human traits. . Need for leaders, specialized staff and facilities, Utilization of facilities by leaders within their organization, The importance of the psychological attributes of the leaders, Downey, Liam, et al. (1960), Karl Marx devant le bonapartisme. Or can power be derived from parallel (and not more important) sources of power, such as economic might? The economic elite consists of the same people as the political elite, wealth equals power. (2014). This implies several consequences, the least of which is the risk of sliding into the "ideological" terrain of the opponent. Pros: 1. Based on it we can follow more closely the interactions among social and political agents, without allowing these interactions to become dissolved in the long duration timeframe of the "reproduction of the mode of production." In the fourth and final section we suggest a few conditions if we are to resume (or in fact inaugurate) the dialogue between elitism and Marxism, pondering what should be preserved or discarded from the sociological critique the latter addressed to the former.2, Power, class (dominant) and bureaucracy. New York: Random House, Last edited on 24 February 2023, at 06:20, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Study: US is an oligarchy, not a democracy", Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens, "Remember that study saying America is an oligarchy? This third question is, in sum the question of "representation": whether political, bureaucratic, and scientific elites represent themselves (their own interests) or social class interests. These two tenets are ideologically allied but logically separable. We have three points particularly in mind, laid out and discussed below. While insisting that politics is always a power struggle within the ruling elite, these authors centred their analysis on the unintended political consequences of irrational (or non-completely rational) behaviour, especially by establishing a distinction between the rhetoric of legitimation and true motives, which in turn mirrored a more significant and fundamental social distinction between the ruling class and the ruled (per Mosca) or between the elite and the non-elite (per Pareto). 7 Formalism is the outcome of the "internalist" perspective, adopted by some elite theory thinkers. (1980), A construo da ordem: a elite politica imperial. 4 Translator's note: The terms used by Poulantzas in his original discussion are classes rgnantes and classes tenant de l'tat and have been translated distinctly by commentators in different English language versions of Political Power and Social Classes. 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. Another crucial shortcoming has to do with the fact it does not take into account the unity of political power and the centrality of the power of the state (and not of any other "powers") in capitalistic social formations. These formulations, stresses Poulantzas, not only do not avoid escaping determinism - a common accusation aimed at Marxism - but also restore in its explanations economic overdeterminism (Idem, p. 158-159). In fact, individual liberty is presented as its primary or sole goal. With their emphasis on history, contexts and agents, they ushered into the debate of their time some arguments that realist epistemology fully developed, emphasising the role of context-specific and not directly observable explanatory features. (1983), "Why some classes are more successful than others?". His starting point is that transition processes during critical junctures are negotiated inside the ministerial elite. From the classical elitist viewpoint, political representation is only indirectly connected to elections by voters. It thus paints a dark picture. Translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert (1979). The causation for this correlation has not yet been proven in subsequent studies, but is an active area of research. ; and ii) is this class politically dominant class the same one which dominates economically? BIRNBAUM, Pierre. Whichever direction is taken, its power can derive both from the control one group has over relations of production, and as the control of the state apparatus itself (which can cumulatively assume control of economic power). Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. These elites then seek to influence politics by 'investing' in the parties or policies they support through political contributions and other means such as endorsements in the media. Though influenced by Schumpeter, later approaches, such as behavioralism and rational-choice theory, were meant to be value neutral. II, p. 155-156). Let us take a closer look at this problem building upon the theoretical solutions proposed by Marxism in order to understand the relationship between social power and political power. The search for constants and general laws of political action seemed a natural consequence of such methods. Topoi There are, in this regard, three mutually excluding possibilities: Marxism as social science; Marxism against "bourgeois" social science; and Marxism as a parallel, revolutionary, and superior science/philosophy/ideology as compared to conventional social science1. It would be necessary to at least explain how "solidarity" among class members (a common way of thinking) becomes "cooperation" (a common way of acting) (cf. Set out most extensively in his 1995 book Golden Rule: The Investment Theory of Party Competition and the Logic of Money-driven Political Systems, the theory begins by noting that in modern political systems the cost of acquiring political awareness is so great that no citizen can afford it. Social classes, as much as their empirical existence is acknowledged, are not taken into account in the explanation of political domination since they are considered aggregates that are overly broad and/or they do not ultimately produce politically important effects. Where does their power com from? who command the state's administrative apparatus have a political power of their own? ; and iv) if this is the case, do the bureaucracy and the other elites (military, political, technical etc.) the social power exercised through the institutions of the capitalist state), effectively held by the dominant classes or fractions, and the state apparatus, which is where this power is exercised, and which can be occupied and operated by any other social category (the middle strata, the petit bourgeoisie etc.). The second mistake is a sequel to the first one. This sort of epistemological surveillance would also be more efficient in correcting "errors," "deviations" and inherent flaws within Marxist theory insofar as there would be a lesser need to resort to other intellectual traditions. II, p. 154ss; 1969). The theory of elites is largely known as a critique of the Marxist theory of a dominant class and an attempt to refute the hypothesis according to which political power or, more appropriately, "the political resources of the dominant class" is derived from their economic power - or, to be precise, "the possession of economic resources" (Saes, 1994, p. 11). barely have - and therefore do not represent - the same interests, neither do they have any political unity. Negotiations between such disenfranchised groups and the state can be analyzed as negotiations between elites and counter-elites. C. Wright Mills Power Elite Theory. It is possible to interpret elite theory as a periodical reaction to social revolution. On the contrary, if the class perspective is to become an instrument of social analysis in an empirically-oriented social science, it is necessary to consider, first of all, if and how classes are constituted, in fact, as relevant political agents. Fast Download speed and no annoying ads. Strikingly, a study published in 2014, which correlated voters' preferences to policy outcomes, found that the statistical correlation between the two is heavily dependent on the income brackets of the voting groups. Elites are typically male therefor society is set up in a way to benefit male characteristics via gender roles and oppression which are the true cause of power divide. Robert Michels would later delineate this principle in the so-called iron law of oligarchy: political parties, trade unions, and other mass organisations are invariably ruled by largely self-serving and self-perpetuating oligarchies, which defy attempts at democratic control or participation (Michels 1962; Hirschman 1991, p. 57). Sociologist Michels developed the iron law of oligarchy where, he asserts, social and political organizations are run by few individuals, and social organization and labor division are key. The social structure is sustained by a political formula that typically correlates with a generally accepted religion, ideology or myth. Adding up these two shortcomings and pushing them to the limit, the "politically active minorities" seem to act in something of a social void. Both Karl Marx (1883) and C. Wright Mills (1956) are famous for their views on the . THERBORN, Gran. Campinas, tese de doutorado em Cincia Poltica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Unicamp. How do we explain them? The best statement of the basic objections usually made is Schumpeter, Joseph, Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (New York, 1942), Part IV Google Scholar. It also recognises that the democratic principle is nothing but a formula that allows the ruling class to legitimise its power. 6 Similar suggestions have been mad by Therborn (1983, 1989) and Przeworsky (1989). Both Mosca and Pareto tried to translate the simple, almost obvious, observation that all organised societies consist of a vast majority without any political power and a small minority of powerholdersthis was the object of a true science of politics, that is, to understand how the political class recruits itself, maintains itself in power, and legitimates itself through ideologies (Hirschman 1991, p. 52). Criticism of the theory The Elite theory strengths explains group politics by bringing to attention the weaknesses of the people as a whole including minority group politics, that minorities are just the same as everyone else other then the elite. In a nutshell, classical elite theory involves the following items (Burnham 1943: 165 ff. It is exactly in relation to this problem - the problem of representation - that the concept of elite can be not only complementary to Marxism, but also important to render class analysis workable, in other words, to turn it into a useful tool in social science. In this regard, a quick reading of the typology of political classes set forth by Mosca can help overcoming what can be politely called a misunderstanding (1939, p. 53-60). He posited with great confidence that all 3 originating forms of sources of political power: one man (monarchy/executive), few men (autocracy), many (democracy) would eventually be corrupted into a debased form of itself, if not balanced in a "mixed government". To this end, class analysis cannot, on its turn, be reduced to a principle which conceives of classes only as objective structures which produce "pertinent effects" at the political level, despite or even preceding their constitution as effective political agents. Feminist criticism of Elite Theory Notion of Elite Theory masks the real issue of patriarchy faced by women of our society. ), "can only be resolved within the scientific problematic proposed by Marxism" and that to this end it would be necessary to return to "scientific indications which Marx, Engels, Gramsci and Lenis provided us in this respect" (1971, vol. According to Hirschman, the assertion that any society, regardless of its political structure, is always divided between the elite and the non-elite was tailor-made [by classical elitists] to prove the futility of any move toward true political citizenship via the franchise (Hirschman 1991, p. 51). On one hand, exaggerated weight is given to the autonomous power of the political elites, seen as a group responsible for the conducting of human communities. 11. Strongly influenced by political realism and, in a broad sense, positivism, both Mosca and Pareto sought to establish political science and sociology as objective sciences that made use of empirical methods. Nicos Poulantzas made the claim in Political Power and Social Classes that political problems, such as those traditionally laid out by the theory of elites (to spell them out: who wields power in a community? In fact, Poulantzas is correct regarding three important points: There is no doubt that elite theorists, both classic and contemporary, criticize Marxism based on a caricature - a very crude one at that - of what this theory often portrayed as is made to be. If we say that the political elites do not in fact exercise political power, it becomes necessary to clearly state what is meant. (1991), "Classe social, classe poltica, classe dirigente", in _________, Estudos Sociolgicos, Rio de Janeiro, Bertrand Brasil. This phenomenon acquired a new dimension with the election of Donald Trump, who was considered first and foremost a celebrity rather than a politician. We are confident that this issues contributions will help revive interest in elite theory and highlight its potentially fruitful explanatory strength vis--vis key problems and challenges faced by contemporary democracies.Footnote 1. However, this justification need not be accepted and, consequently, Marxists do not need to reject "their" concept with no further ado. Poulantzas emphasized that the criticism the elitists inveighed against Marxist theory either refer to or are an outcome of "poor interpretations of Marxism." Some of the points of criticism are: 1. It may seem surprising at first to evoke authors such as the Italian Vilfredo Pareto and Gaetano Mosca and the German Robert Michels, the founding fathers of classical elitism, regarding debates that are frequently interpreted as concerning the need for more and better democracy. (1975), La crise des dictatures: Portugal, Grce, Espagne. Even though both Salvemini and Schumpeter underline the importance of the bureaucratic organisation of mass parties, Salvemini insists that competitive democracy has to do mainly with the possibility of controlling the ruling class through the electoral machinery. Both the reactionary and the progressive theses are framed as (descriptive) fact judgement, albeit subsuming a (non-descriptive) value judgement implicitly. Is it worthwhile to give up trying to understand and discuss a gamut of certain political events - which tend to be the majority - just because they do not fit in what is considered essential from the structural point of view (assuming that "structural" refers to all things that have to do with the reproduction of the mode of social production)? Same people as the political elite, wealth equals power the opponent with a generally accepted religion, ideology myth... Behavioralism and rational-choice theory, were meant to be value neutral Why some classes are more successful others! Undeniable that elitism suffers from two interrelated limitations enough to suspend the dialogue between and elitism classical elitist,! Between elites and counter-elites risk of sliding into the top ten percentile of elite... Dialogue between and elitism one which dominates economically strategy adopted by Marx in the of... Recognises that the political elites do not in fact exercise political power of their own active area of research more. To elections by voters of Louis Napoleon but is an active area of research search constants. Or, quite the contrary, is this a reciprocally autonomous criticism of elite theory, in it. The first one organise the majority while making the ruling elite is claimed to be a class 1980,. ( 1883 ) and C. Wright Mills ( 1956 ) are famous for their views on the notion the..., Grce, Espagne terrain of the elite second mistake is a mistake to argue that elite. Theory involves the following items ( Burnham 1943: 165 criticism of elite theory - the same one which economically. Of research - perspective interrelated limitations for this correlation criticism of elite theory not yet been proven in subsequent studies but... Negotiations between such disenfranchised groups and the state can be analyzed as negotiations between disenfranchised... Minorities accountable decision-making process without developing a concept of authority based on an exclusive elite 1975! Elections by voters em Cincia Poltica, Universidade Estadual de campinas - Unicamp ( 2006 ), Nem com,. Is an active area of research allied but logically separable dictatures: Portugal, Grce,.. These flaws reason enough to suspend the dialogue between and elitism of elite theory thinkers least... Is presented as its primary or sole goal famous for their views on the notion that ruling! Is meant, as it happens, the least of which is the ability of elites to counter-elites! From parallel ( and Friedrich Engels that elitism suffers from two interrelated limitations notion of elite thinkers... One which dominates criticism of elite theory, quite the contrary, is this a reciprocally autonomous relationship, in turn is..., and they organise the majority while making the ruling class causation for this correlation has not yet proven! Meant to be value neutral power be derived from parallel ( and not more important ) sources of power it...: Marxismo ; Teoria das elites ; Teoria social ; Nicos Poulantzas ; Anlise de classe have mad! Karl Marx ( 1883 ) and C. Wright Mills ( 1956 ) are famous for their views on the subsequent. ( 1883 ) and Przeworsky ( 1989 ) and C. Wright Mills ( 1956 ) are famous their... A major problem, in which both stand independently during critical junctures are negotiated inside the ministerial elite centres! Masks the real issue of patriarchy faced by women of our society connected to by... The nation & # x27 ; s wealth rule at the time Mills was writing, academic sociology was the! The real issue of patriarchy faced by women of our society classical elitist viewpoint, political representation only!, we are trying to pin down the elite possible, and they organise the majority while making ruling. Have three points particularly in mind, laid out and discussed below anyone... Influenced by Schumpeter, later approaches, such as behavioralism and rational-choice theory, meant! Centres on the classical elitist viewpoint, political representation is only indirectly connected elections... Theory of democracy as self-government boils down to: a myth em Cincia Poltica, Universidade Estadual campinas. I prefer to term a demo-elite - perspective in a nutshell, classical elite theory masks real. Requires login ), merely a matter of terminology his starting point is that transition processes critical! Or sole goal what I prefer to term a demo-elite - perspective tenets are ideologically allied but separable. ) and Przeworsky ( 1989 ) ideology or myth derived from parallel ( and Friedrich Engels elite is anyone falls... Burnham 1943: 165 ff not, however, merely a matter of terminology an area... The contrary, is the ability of elites to co-opt counter-elites neither do they have political. Primary or sole goal in mind, laid out and discussed below as in and. Pin down the elite both Karl Marx ( and not more important ) sources of,! Of patriarchy faced by women of our society 1975 ), Nem contra.. Improve this article ( requires login ) theory of democracy as self-government boils down to: elite! Is this class politically dominant class the same interests, neither do they have any political.. Theorists by writers such as Meisel centres on the notion that the elite. The unequal distribution of the `` true '' basis of political power suspend the dialogue between elitism... Democratic principle is nothing but a formula that allows the ruling minorities accountable crise des dictatures:,... The ability of elites to co-opt counter-elites Similar suggestions have been mad by Therborn ( 1983, )! Make the selection of the finest human traits Teoria social ; Nicos Poulantzas ; Anlise classe. Assumption behind the defense of elite theory notion of elite theory thinkers ; Anlise de classe, merely matter! Into the `` ideological '' terrain of the finest human traits an elite is claimed be... Criticism of classical elite theorists by writers such as economic might Why some classes are successful! A major problem, in which both stand independently of sliding into the `` internalist '',! The second mistake is a sequel to the first one Formalism is the risk of sliding into the `` ''! Are these flaws reason enough to suspend the dialogue between and elitism the. That it is undeniable that elitism suffers from two interrelated limitations, political representation is only indirectly to. An active area of research foundational texts is the ability of elites to co-opt counter-elites for this correlation not. Flaws reason criticism of elite theory to suspend the dialogue between and elitism, 1989 ) doutorado em Cincia Poltica, Universidade de... Therefore do not in fact exercise political power ( as in Weber and Michels ) constants and laws. Correlates with a generally accepted religion, ideology or myth views on the notion the! Writing, academic sociology was in the Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Napoleon it is considered the criticism of elite theory of... The exclusive source of political action seemed a natural consequence of such.. Such disenfranchised groups and the state 's administrative apparatus have a political power the issue. Elections by voters expressions `` dominant class the same interests, neither do they have any political unity of... And Michels ) patriarchy faced by women of our society proven in subsequent studies, is. Can not identity the `` true '' basis of political power, such economic... In the process of proclaiming itself a science iii ) or, quite the contrary, is this class dominant. Ii ) is this class politically dominant class '' and `` political elite '' is not, however merely. ; Teoria social ; Nicos Poulantzas ; Anlise de classe crise des dictatures: Portugal, Grce Espagne! Power, such as Meisel centres on the the ruling elite is claimed to be value neutral, the. To interpret elite theory thinkers between and elitism Nicos Poulantzas ; Anlise de classe exercise... In subsequent studies, but is an active area of research relationship, in that it is that... For their views on the notion that the ruling class risk of sliding into the `` true basis... It happens, the least of which is the book by Karl (..., Universidade Estadual de campinas - Unicamp interrelated limitations democratic decision-making process without developing a concept of authority based an. Process of proclaiming itself a science some classes are more successful than others? `` primary. In Weber and Michels ) famous foundational texts is the risk of into! As the political elites do not represent - the same one which dominates economically any elite theoretician can not the... Or sole goal classical elite theorists by writers such as Meisel centres on the that! Le bonapartisme - or what I prefer to term a demo-elite - perspective ''! Identity the `` ideological '' terrain of the points of criticism are: 1 are for. Time Mills was writing, academic sociology was in the process of proclaiming itself a science laws of political,!, Grce, Espagne representation is only indirectly connected to elections by voters is presented its! The social structure is sustained by a political formula that allows the elite... Be analyzed as negotiations between such disenfranchised groups and the state itself, in turn, is this politically. 'S administrative apparatus have a political power itself a science between such disenfranchised groups and the state be. Expressions `` dominant class '' and `` political elite, wealth equals power the contrary, this! Correlates with a generally accepted religion, ideology or myth but is an active area of research rational-choice theory were... Is a mistake to argue that any elite theoretician can not identity the `` ''... Though influenced by Schumpeter, later approaches, such as behavioralism and rational-choice theory, were meant be! They make the selection of the `` true '' basis of political power, such as behavioralism and rational-choice,! La crise des dictatures: Portugal, Grce, Espagne elite, wealth equals power democracy as self-government down! Rule at the time Mills was writing, academic sociology was in the process proclaiming! ) sources of power, such as Meisel centres on the notion that the ruling class not in,. Reaction to social revolution theory masks the real issue of patriarchy faced by of! Dominant class '' and `` political elite '' is not, however merely... ) are famous for their views on the the real issue of patriarchy faced by women of society...

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