Understanding Elite Theory, Political Ideology, and State Power
Elite Theory: Power Dynamics in Society
In political science and sociology, elite theory describes and explains power relationships in contemporary society. It posits that a small minority, comprising the economic elite and policy-planning networks, holds the most power, independent of democratic elections. Through positions in corporations or on corporate boards, and influence over policy-planning networks via financial support of foundations or positions with think tanks or policy-discussion groups, members of the “elite” exert significant power over corporate and governmental policy decisions.
Gaetano Mosca and Wilfredo Pareto (circulation of elites) argued that government always falls into the hands of a few. Robert Michels argued that any organization, regardless of its democratic intent, will be run by a small elite (Iron Law of Oligarchy).
- Elite theory argues that key policy decisions are made by a tiny minority because issues are too complex, and elites supposedly know what is better for people than the people themselves.
- Elite theorists consider elite rule unfair and undemocratic, arguing that decisions benefit the powerful and wealthy.
Lipset and Rokkan’s ‘freezing hypothesis,’ writing in 1967, argued that contemporary party systems had become ‘frozen’ around the social cleavages dominant when mass suffrage was introduced in the 1920s.
Political Ideology: Shaping Social Order
Many political parties base their political action and programs on an ideology. In social studies, a political ideology is a set of ethical ideals, principles, doctrines, myths, or symbols of a social movement, institution, class, or large group that explains how society should work and offers a political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order. A political ideology largely concerns itself with how to allocate power and to what ends it should be used. Some parties closely follow a certain ideology, while others draw broad inspiration from related ideologies without specifically embracing any one.
The State: Structures of Governance
The state is a governmental structure, usually sovereign and powerful enough to enforce its rule over a specific territory.
Types of States:
- Effective states control and tax their entire territory, ensuring laws are obeyed, and corruption is minor. Examples: US, Japan, Western Europe.
- Weak states experience crime penetrating politics; the government is unable to fight lawlessness, corruption, and breakaway movements; justice is bought, and elections are often rigged; most revenue disappears into private pockets. Examples: Mexico, Nigeria, much of Africa, Asia, Latin America.
- Failed states have no real national government with little if any control of territory; warlords and criminal cartels are free to do what they want and are threatened with territorial breakup.
Polyarchy: Rule by Many
In modern political science, polyarchy, a term used by Robert A. Dahl, describes a form of government in which power is vested in three or more persons (very identified elites). This form of government was first implemented in the United States and France and was gradually adopted by many other countries. According to Dahl, the fundamental democratic principle is that when it comes to binding collective decisions, each individual’s interests are considered equally. A polyarchy is a state that has certain procedures that are necessary conditions for following the democratic principle.
In semblance, the word polycracy describes the same form of government, although from a slightly different premise: A polycracy is a state ruled by more than one person, as opposed to monocracy.