Theories of Political Power: Elite, Group, and Systems Theories

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key scholars and concepts from Elite Theory, Group Theory, and Political Systems Theory as presented in the lecture notes.

Vilfredo Pareto

A key scholar of Elite Theory who argued that elites emerge naturally due to their abilities.

Gaetano Mosca

A scholar who proposed that society is always ruled by a minority, a concept known as Oligarchy.

Thomas Dye and Harmon Zeigler

Scholars who argued that policies reflect elite interests and that elites control decision-making while the majority have little influence.

Elite Consensus

The principle that sustains stability by limiting access to elite circles to only those who accept core elite values.

Earl Latham (1965)

A scholar who characterized public policy as a temporary equilibrium in group struggles.

Robert A. Dahl (1997)

An advocate for pluralism who argued that no single group monopolizes power; instead, coalitions and compromises shape policy.

Pluralism

The theory that policy outcomes are shaped by conflicts, compromises, and coalitions among various groups rather than a single dominant entity.

Enemuo (1999)

A scholar who stated that a group's ability to dominate policy decisions depends on wealth, leadership, bargaining skills, and access to decision-makers.

BRICS

An example of group theory in action, functioning as a collective interest group of emerging economies that created the New Development Bank.

David Easton (1953)

A scholar who conceptualized politics as a structured system of interactions responding to society.

Behaviorism (Varma)

In systems theory, the study of how people actually behave politically rather than focusing solely on ideas or institutions.

Dlakwa (2004)

A scholar who discussed how supra-systems (global societies and economies) impact the political system and its internal sub-systems.

Feedback Loops

A concept highlighted by Anderson (1997) where political systems must constantly respond to public pressure to ensure their survival.

Inputs (Systems Theory)

The demands and environmental pressures, such as student protests or national mobilization, that enter the political system.

Outputs (Systems Theory)

The policy results of the political system, such as a $0\%$ fee increase or expanded student funding like NSFAS.

Black Box

A criticism of political systems theory, referring to the lack of detail regarding the internal decision-making processes within the system.

Oligarchy

A form of governance where power is concentrated in the hands of a small minority.

Supra-systems

External global structures, such as the global economy, that shape and impact political systems and policy-making.