power elite vs pluralist position

people power and powerful people

class consciousness

oppressed classes would eventually develop ____ which would allow them to mobilize and affect change

C wright mills

creator of the power elite perspective

power elite

The US is dominated by a military-industrial complex (corporate, political, and

military leaders

pluralist position

The US is divided among varying interest groups; whichever groups can form a

coalition of supporters wins

power is concentrated in institutions

three leadership circles increasingly overlap

this concentration developed historically

war and natl security draw the circles together

formal democracy does not guarantee effective public control

power elite main arguments

pluralist position

argues that power in the United States is dispersed rather than monopolized by one coherent ruling class

political outcomes reflect bargaining, competition, compromise, and coalition-building among multiple groups

pluralist CENTRAL CLAIM

pluralist core assumptions

•Competition limits domination

•Government is a mediator and arena

•Power is dispersed

•Interests organize politically

•Power is issue specific

power is dispersed

•Political resources are spread across many orgs rather than held entirely by a single elite

interests organize politcally

•People w/ common concerns from associations that present their views to elected officials and govt agencies

power is issue specific

•A groups influence varies across topics

competition limits domination

•When one group advances its interestns, opponents can organize, lobby, mobilize voters, bring publicity to the issue or form counter-coalitions

govt is a mediator and arena

•Govt is the institutional setting in which competing groups press claims, negotiate and reach compromises