The elite theory of democracy is a theory that explains the extent of the influence of power in the present society in running the affairs of the state. Essentially the crux of the theory emphasizes the influence and role of a small elite percentage of the total population of a country in holding immense power in running the affairs of that state irrespective of the results of the elections in a democratic set up. This influence is primarily the result of the financial support of various foundations and political funding of different political parties by these elite individuals or corporate houses which renders them with lot of authority and say in the political, economic and policy matters of the government in power. In this way these elitist groups are able to exercise immense power over decisions made by the government and corporations (BottomoreT, 1993). The elitist theory of democracy is opposed to the concept of pluralism and theory of state autonomy because such theorists believe that democracy is primarily in the nature of going as per utopian ideals.
The classical elite theory is the aristocratic version of elite theory in that it advocates that in important political and economic institutions people in authority enjoy maximum power, and that the basic factor differentiating this theory from the others is the fact of immense personal resources of the elitists who hold the power. Amongst the theorists of this theory, Pareto explained the concept by theorizing that such elites were those in any given society who were very competent and had accomplished in extraordinary terms than others, which render them with the elitist powers. According to Mosca, it is the organized group of people in any society who are able to wield the maximum power as elitists due to the propensity of majority of the people to remain unorganized. He had classified the world in two distinct groups; those that ruled, and those that are ruled, and that the elitists in any society are superior due to their high moral, intellectual and wealth capabilities and positions. A noted economist, Robert Michels has advocated the Iron Law of Oligarchy whereby elite groups run political and social institutions, and that organizations play a very important role in facilitating the bureaucratic structures in political organizations.
Amongst the modern elite theorists, C Wright Mills came out with a different perspective on power systems by identifying that it were the elite power groups in the economic, political and military set ups in the country who command the maximum authority and power in making decisions as per their reasoning and consensus in most cases. His book ‘The Power Elite’ was very specific in explaining the evolvement of the concept of an elite democracy due to the gradual generation by way of rationalization of the industrial societies so that the mechanics of power enabled its concentration in a few hands, which came to be called the elite group. He described such developments as the degradation of democratic practices in advanced countries since the power and authority mostly lies with people who are not elected representatives of the people, thus jeopardizing the purpose of a democracy. Floyd Hunter did similar studies but on a micro scale whereby he thoroughly studied the patterns of power relationships in a regional city in search for the actual holders of power in running the administration in the city. By mapping the different hierarchies and the administrative working in the city he adopted a cross functional approach in concluding that there was no concept of a truly democratic framework operating in the city and instead it was a system of representative democracy in which the politicians, businessmen and clergy held the strings of power. The noted theorist M Schwarz used a similar strategy to examine the power structure comprising of the corporate elite in a democratic set up. James Burnham wrote a book The Managerial Revolution in which he stressed the importance of managers in having most functional powers in their hands instead of the businessmen and politicians. Robert D Putnam conveyed that it was the technological expertise and knowledge of administrators that enabled them to form specialist groups so that they wield maximum power in making strategic decisions (Berry J, 1999).
In view of the foregoing narration it is clear in the combination of different insights from the point of view of theories pertaining to different classes and organizations, that the economies of capitalist countries derive most of their strength from corporate communities. Capitalism has a strong role in the creation of a class of ownership, which wields immense political power and economic resources. This class has great influence in generating conflicts relating to government regulations, taxes, wages and working rules. In due course the capitalist class has been able to form several organizations, which give them the leverage to legitimize their class positions and thus have hold over conflicts amongst different classes. It is the consequent accrual of indispensable roles for this class that enables them to dominate the functioning of the government institutions as also of the business organizations (Mills C W, 1956). In this light it is correct to say that elite rule is inevitable in most democracies.
References
- Berry J. The New Liberalism, 1999, Washington: Brookings Institution Press.
- Bottomore T, Elites and Society (2nd Edition) 1993. London: Routledge.
- Mills C W, The Power Elite. 1956, New York: Oxford University Press.