Elitism and Pluralism in a Democracy

Contrasting views of power and influence in a democracy

America is one of the oldest democracies in the world which went through several transitions. From a collection of 13 colonies (with a weak congress and a rubber stamp president) to a superpower with huge consolidation of power under president (who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the most powerful army in the world). The basic structure of American democracy, however, has stayed in place throughout this journey.

An ideal democracy is a form of government in which the power is vested in the hands of people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Based on the structure of Government, democracies can either be Parliamentary or Presidential:

• Parliamentary democracy: In this form of democracy, citizens cast their votes to choose the Legislative body (which makes laws for the country). This Legislature subsequently selects a leader, typically from the largest elected political party, who becomes the Prime minister or Chancellor and is responsible for executing the laws made by the legislature. This fusion of legislative and executive powers often results in streamlined policy-making, although it reduces the checks and balances within the government. Notable examples of this type of democracy are India and the United Kingdom.
• Presidential democracy: A key illustration of this is the American democratic system, where citizens elect the legislature (i.e. Congress and Senate). They separately elect the president as the executive authority to enforce the laws made by legislature. This separation of the legislative and executive branches generates checks and balances, although it can sometimes lead to a deadlock when disagreements arise between the executive body (responsible for signing bills into laws) and the legislature (tasked with proposing and passing bills).

In many Western democracies, where political parties are weak, Special Interest Groups (SIGs) act as intermediaries between citizens and their elected representatives. These groups strive to shape public policy and influence all government branches — executive, legislative, and judiciary — by mobilizing members and securing funds to promote their cause. SIGs actively recruit supporters and members to advance their political goals. The United States has the highest number of SIGs globally, with the United Kingdom and Germany following closely behind. One should also note that the United States has weak political parties compared to countries like India where the party chooses a candidate instead of the candidate choosing a party. For example, President Harry Truman in 1952 wanted General Dwight Eisenhower to succeed him by running as a Democratic candidate. Instead, he chose to run as a Republican and swept 442 out of 531 electoral votes. This type of feat is unimaginable in Indian democracy where political parties are extremely strong. The point is that when political parties are weak, SIGs gain more importance.

In a perfect scenario, Special Interest Groups (SIGs) can play positive roles in a democracy by:

1. Uniting individuals with common interests under one umbrella organization and representing their collective voice Eg. Labor union associations.
2. Contributing valuable expertise and knowledge to policy-makers and also providing them with alternate perspectives.
3. Acting as a check on government power by opposing policies that negatively affect their interests.
4. Promoting pluralism and ensuring that multiple voices shape public policy, preventing any single group from dominating the process.

On the note of Pluralism, political science scholars are not unanimous whether Pluralist democracy is really possible. Many of them believe that all democracies eventually devolve into Elitist democracies.

The founders of all democratic countries start with the ideal view of a democracy that it will represent the will of the people. However, in practice, when the rubber meets the road, things are not so ideal.

Pluralism and elitism are two contrasting views of democracy that explain how power and influence are distributed and exercised within democratic societies.

It is important to recognize that while a mix of pluralism and elitism is typically observed in domestic policy making within a country, foreign policy tends to be overwhelmingly dominated by elitism. …… This also means that in order for a community or Special Interest Group (SIG) to significantly influence a country’s foreign policy, it must amass considerable resources, as this is the primary avenue for affecting change in this elite-driven domain.

Pluralism in a Democracy

Definition: Pluralism is the belief that power in a democracy is dispersed among a wide array of diverse and competing entities and no single group dominates the political process. The various groups compete and cooperate in policy-making.

Proponent of this view believe that democracy has following key features:

1. Diverse Interests: Which represents different segments of society like labor unions, business associations, environmental organizations, and advocacy groups
2. Active Participation: These groups actively participate in the political process by lobbying, engaging in public debates, and mobilizing supporters.
3. Negotiation and Compromise: Policy outcomes are the result of negotiation and compromise among different groups, ensuring that multiple perspectives are considered.
4. Dynamic Power Structure: Power is not static; different groups may gain or lose influence over time based on their ability to mobilize support and resources.

Benefits:

• Inclusivity: Allows a variety of population segments to participate in policy making through consolidated groups like SIGs.
• Checks and Balances: The competition promotes a healthy balance of power.
• Responsive Governance: Government, in this view will better respond to the needs of various segments of society.

Criticisms:

• Inequality of Resources: Not all groups have equal access to resources, which can lead to disproportionate influence by wealthier or more organized groups leading to Elitism.
• Fragmentation: The presence of many competing groups can lead to fragmented and inconsistent policies.
• Potential for Gridlock: Too much competition among groups can result in policy gridlock, where no decisions are made.

Elitism in a Democracy

Definition: Elitism is the belief that a small, select group of individuals — elites — possess the most power and influence in democratic society. These elites, due to their wealth, education, social status, expertise or unusually highly-resourced SIGs will dominate the political process and make decisions on behalf of the larger population.

Key Features:

1. Concentration of Power: Power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups who hold significant influence over political and economic decisions.
2. Limited Participation: The general public has limited influence on policy decisions, which are often made by the elite class.
3. Top-Down Decision-Making: Policies are typically formulated and implemented by elites or under the influence of powerful SIGs, with limited input from the broader population.
4. Stability and Expertise: Elitism argues that elites are more capable of making informed and rational decisions due to their expertise and experience.

Benefits:

• Efficient Decision-Making: Elitism can lead to more efficient and decisive policy-making, as decisions are made by a small, cohesive group.
• Expert Governance: Elites are often seen as more knowledgeable and capable of handling complex issues.
• Political Stability: The concentration of power among elites can contribute to political stability and continuity.

Criticisms:

• Undemocratic: Elitism undermines the democratic principle of equal participation and representation.
• Disconnect from the Public: Elites may become disconnected from the needs and desires of the general population, leading to policies that favor the elite at the expense of the majority.
• Potential for Corruption: The concentration of power can lead to corruption and self-serving behavior among elites.

Interaction in a Democracy

Practically, democratic systems typically showcase a blend of pluralist and elitist characteristics. Political elites frequently engage with diverse interest groups, which can impact policy-making processes through lobbying and other forms of advocacy. Although elites may wield considerable influence, regular elections offer opportunities for wider public involvement and accountability in the political process.

It is important to recognize that while a mix of pluralism and elitism is typically observed in domestic policy making within a country, foreign policy tends to be overwhelmingly dominated by elitism. This is evident in the role of the United States in conflicts such as the ongoing war on Gaza, the Iraq War, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War. The primary reason for this is that foreign policies often do not have immediate or apparent implications for the general population of a country, as opposed to domestic policies, which directly impact the masses.

This also means that in order for a community or Special Interest Group (SIG) to significantly influence a country’s foreign policy, it must amass considerable resources, as this is the primary avenue for affecting change in this elite-driven domain.

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