Both the Elite and Pluralist models of public policy deviate from the democratic principles advocated by our fore-fathers, advocating for government that is by and for the people. In the Elite model, a small group of wealthy white males holds power and dictates policy-making in our nation. Conversely, the Pluralist model suggests that power is spread among interest groups competing for control over public policy. Karl Marx (1883) and C. Wright Mills (1956) are renowned for their perspectives on the “rule by few” or the power elite, who exert significant influence over government elections, legislative processes, and day-to-day operations through their wealth and influence.
As stated by Dye, Zeigler, and Schubert (p. 79), the existence of apathetic voters in the United States poses a major risk to democracy. This indifference originates from a general lack of knowledge among the populace. Although some attribute this laziness or disinterest to lower and middle-class citizens, it is crucial to investigate whether the government has contributed to fostering such apathy. Throughout history, dating back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, money has consistently equated with influence.
According to Domhoff (p.55), individuals who possess wealth or “income producing land” have historically held political influence. Presently, these “landowners” encompass prominent political figures, corporate owners, and military leaders. This prompts the question of whether our nation genuinely upholds the democratic principles that we have long cherished or if we are progressing towards a plutocracy – a government controlled by the affluent (Krugman). By closely examining special interest groups, policy-making procedures, and candidate selection processes, it becomes evident how significantly the power elite influences our government compared to the general population.
Who are the Power Elite?
Understanding the concept of the power elite is crucial. Coined by Karl Marx (Anderson & Taylor, p.516), this term refers to individuals who represent the wealthiest 1% in society. These individuals earn an annual income of approximately $1,300,000 and possess about 36% of the nation’s privately held wealth (Domhoff, p.55). It is worth noting that the top 20%, earning over $225,000 per year, control a staggering 89% of our country’s wealth. This means that only 11% is left to be divided among the remaining 80% of the population (Domhoff, p.56).
The power elite, composed mainly of affluent white males, are not engaged in a conspiracy against the government. They are not autocrats or terrorists; instead, they are individuals who have acquired wealth through inheritance and embraced the elite theory, or those who have achieved success through hard work. This group encompasses several hundred political and military leaders as well as wealthy corporate owners such as General Electric and Boeing. While their primary focus lies on their businesses, they utilize their connections with the government to secure prosperity for their companies. How do they exert influence over government officials? By making financial contributions via PACs (Political Action Committees), companies like GE or Boeing exploit the power of money to sway political decisions.
The distribution of wealth in our country has become more unequal, with a greater concentration of wealth. In the past, income and wealth were distributed fairly evenly, especially during the “New Deal” programs and post-World War II era. Paul Krugman’s article “For Richer” suggests that America became a middle-class society during this period because of reduced income concentration. Government initiatives such as social security played an important role in assisting the less fortunate and promoting economic equality. These changing views on equality helped reduce the disparity between the wealthy and impoverished.
Since the 1970’s, income gaps have been widening and equality norms are fading away. In the past thirty years, our nation experienced significant economic growth, except for the poorest American families, who faced either a decrease in income or an increase in unemployment (Porter, para. 3). This inequality is primarily caused by large corporations outsourcing jobs to other countries. As a consequence of this income gap, there is a loss of hope for prosperity and consequent resentment towards democracy and political instability. The power elite has benefited from this situation as they have gained more political control while the masses have become disinterested and primarily focused on their day-to-day lives.
How do the Power Elite Influence Special Interest Groups
A special interest group is a group of individuals who share common interests and gather to influence public policy. These groups establish political action committees (PACs), which are organized to endorse candidates that align with their beliefs (Anderson & Taylor, p.516). Notable PACs include the American Medical Association and the National Auto Dealers Association. The size of a group’s membership directly correlates with its ability to exert influence over politicians.
Size and money are two powerful tools that interest groups can utilize to influence politicians. According to Anderson & Taylor (p.516), interest groups can impact political candidates through campaign contributions, lobbying, and propaganda. Pluralists argue that these special interest groups or PACs represent different public interests and compete against each other. However, the pluralist perspective overlooks the influential wealthy elite who not only control these groups but also manipulate candidates by using their abundance of money. This allows them to effectively “buy” a candidate and essentially have them act as a puppet. Additionally, lobbying is another tactic employed by interest groups to influence government officials and legislators without the exchange of finances, often leveraging their company’s high membership or influential position in society.
The fairness of the process can differ depending on the group or issue involved. One widely observed aspect of influence is the use of propaganda by the Power Elite, which is particularly noticed by the general public. This refers to the numerous television advertisements that viewers are exposed to in the media, and these ads greatly shape voters’ perceptions of a specific candidate. Typically financed by interest groups, these ads aim to portray an opposing candidate negatively. The larger interest groups have a stronger presence and impact on candidates and the general population due to their association with the Power Elite, who possess both numerical strength and financial resources. This creates an uneven playing field that contradicts pluralist theory principles.
How do the Power Elite Influence Policy Making?
Public policy is a government’s response to a problem or issue in the country. Although public policy is often confused with laws, they are actually established by various groups other than lawmakers. The usual process of creating public policy involves recognizing the problem, setting the agenda, formulating the policy, adopting it, and implementing it (Independence Hall Association, para 1).
The government typically becomes aware of a problem through interest groups, political parties, media, or branches of government. Except during times of war or immediately after a president’s election, priority is given to influential interest groups with power and money (Independence Hall Association, para. 2). At this stage, the government acknowledges the problem and recognizes the need for a solution. Subsequently, special task forces, research groups, and legislators are assigned to address the problem by formulating new policies. This process involves congress and “administrative agencies in the executive branch” (Reynolds, para. 2). Lastly, the policy undergoes evaluation to ensure its effectiveness in achieving its initial goals.
Even though policy making is distributed among various entities, the power elite still significantly influence the selection and consideration of problems. The power elite leverage pressure from interest groups, employing tactics such as bribes and monetary incentives to garner attention from policy makers. Additionally, lobbyists play a crucial role in advocating for specific issues among policy makers. One illustrative case involves the influence of interest groups in promoting awareness of smoking-related concerns. Tobacco companies have been portrayed negatively in the media, while surprisingly, alcohol companies face far less scrutiny despite causing more fatalities annually. This stark contrast can be attributed to agenda setting, wherein the media—overseen and managed by the power elite—exerts influence on the government. Consequently, this influence culminated in the implementation of legislation prohibiting smoking in nearly all public spaces.
How do the Power Elite Influence the Candidate Selection Process?
Running for Presidential or Vice-Presidential office requires significant funding, often obtained from special interest groups and PAC’s. The selection of candidates is influenced by the elite, who organize elections through political parties supported by them. The mass-public relies on the elite-controlled mass media for information about the social and political world, which then influences their voting choices. Throughout the entire process, the elite exert control over candidate selection, campaign platforms, and public perception. The masses have limited involvement in real political participation and are essentially seen as pawns in a supposedly democratic system. Their input in choosing candidates or impacting policy-making is minimal. In reality, their importance to the government is primarily centered around election day.
Once elected officials are in office, their continued tenure relies on their service to the individuals or groups who financially supported their campaigns. This service entails adopting and implementing the policies advocated by influential interest groups, which may have provided financial contributions during the election process. Consequently, even after assuming office, elected officials remain under the control of the elite.
Throughout our nation’s history, significant changes have taken place, both in terms of growth and progress since the Declaration of Independence was signed. The democratic society we once were has evolved into a technologically advanced and capitalist society that we currently reside in. The interconnection between corporations and government has become so intricate that distinguishing their boundaries is a complex task; they are interdependent for their survival. Undoubtedly, the elite theory extends beyond mere speculation. Assessing the extent of the elite’s influence is a challenging question to answer. Checks and balances exist to prevent any single group or individual from overpowering others. Although they may not govern the nation directly, their influence can be seen as comparable to a branch of government.
References
- Anderson, Margaret L. & Taylor, Howard Francis. (2008). Sociology: Understanding a diverse society. (4th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth
- Domhoff, G. William. (2005). The class domination theory of power. Retrieved August 27, 2013, from http://www2.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/class_domination.html
- Dye, T.R. & Zeigler, H. (2012). The irony of democracy: An uncommon introduction to American politics. (15th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth
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Independence Hall Association. (2008-2013). American government: policy making: political interactions. Retrieved August 27, 2013, from http://www.ushistory.org/gov/
11.asp - Krugman, Paul. (2002, October 20). For richer. The New York Times. Retrieved from www. nytimes.com/2002/10/20/magazine/for-richer.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
- Porter, Eduardo. (2012, March 20). Inequality undermines democracy. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/business/economy/tolerance- for-income-gap-may-be-ebbing-economic-scene.html?_r=0
- Reynolds, H.T. (1996). The power elite. Retrieved August 27, 2013, from http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/apgov_power_elite_htm
