PLURALISM VS. ELITISM OPINION PAPER

Pluralism vs. Elitism Opinion Paper

Pluralism vs. Elitism Opinion Paper



When we look at the basic premise behind our founding fathers design to create our government, we are looking at democracy. We can view democracy in many different ways. The most basic principle is that we have a government that requires many different people and groups with contrasting ideas to make the most important decisions. To study the backbone of our government, democracy, we must look at the theories that contrast how we view ourselves as a democracy.

As in any political debate, the two main theories, elitism and pluralism present numerous conflicts. Firstly, elitism defines all governments as systems that divide the people the few people that make the important decisions (the elite) and those who do not (the majority). Pluralism, on the other hand, defines democracy as a balanced system of government that is achieved by many well-organized large groups that individuals participate in the reach a compromise on issues. In elitism, no social organization can form with out elites to lead and make all the decisions for the organization. Contradictory, pluralism holds that majority will always prevail regardless of any leader's personal view.

In the pluralist model, power is divided such that individuals are free to join or form groups with common interests and oppose the government. The government in a pluralist model does not hold any significant account of power, and individuals can force the government out of office, this very interesting and unique feature of pluralism is invisible in the ruling elite model.

So if for example the government tries to enforce a law that is opposed by some, they can pressurise the government, this is complemented by Williams Gravy in his book 'eyes of the government' in which he writes that governments are multi pluralist only if they are segregated and they are only elitist, if they are concentrated' He further clarifies that governments do not posess the power in which they can claim to be elitist, In favour of pluralism. ( Page 112, the Carlo Text )

. The governments are then left with no way but to listen to the pressure groups. If they do not respond to pressure groups, they might loose popularity, which may eventually lead to be throw from office in the next general election The elitist power structure can be illustrated in the way a pyramid is shaped. The pyramid is divided into 3 unequal sections from top to bottom, the most powerful at the top, the least powerful at the bottom and the pyramid is assumed to be the whole population. The elite are amongst the area covered by the top most section, with maximum power. The middle section consists of the secondary elite, which covers a slightly larger section than the ruling elite and possesses less power. The third and the bottom most section of the pyramid are the mass. They possess absolutely no power but occupy the largest group of ...