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Four Theories of Governing Elites Chapter 1, pp. 10-14 AP Government.

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Presentation on theme: "Four Theories of Governing Elites Chapter 1, pp. 10-14 AP Government."— Presentation transcript:

1 Four Theories of Governing Elites Chapter 1, pp. 10-14 AP Government

2 Pop Quiz 1 Log on to www.socrative.com and join room 917563. Log on to www.socrative.com and join room 917563.www.socrative.com Wait for the quiz to launch. Wait for the quiz to launch. You may use your notes that you took last night. You may use your notes that you took last night. Put away electronic device when you are finished with the quiz. Put away electronic device when you are finished with the quiz.

3 How is political power distributed? Majoritarian politics: Concept where nearly everyone has a say in making a decision (Will of the majority) Majoritarian politics: Concept where nearly everyone has a say in making a decision (Will of the majority) Elitist politics: Concept where decisions are made by groups with a disproportionate amount of some valuable resource Elitist politics: Concept where decisions are made by groups with a disproportionate amount of some valuable resource

4 How is political power wielded? When do majoritarian politics prevail? When do majoritarian politics prevail? –Why? When do elitist politics prevail? When do elitist politics prevail? –Why? Are there groups you feel have too much power? Are there groups you feel have too much power? –Examples? –Is their authority legitimate?

5 Explaining Influence of Elites Marxist or Class View (Karl Marx): Government is influenced by economic elites- those who control the economy, control the government. Government is influenced by economic elites- those who control the economy, control the government. “He who pays the piper, calls the tune.” “He who pays the piper, calls the tune.” In the U.S., capitalists dominate the economy and therefore government. In the U.S., capitalists dominate the economy and therefore government. Decisions benefit the business owners and capitalists. Decisions benefit the business owners and capitalists. Proof? Examples? Proof? Examples?

6 Model of Class Structure under Capitalism 99% versus the 1% Capitalist Class Upper Middle Class Middle Class Working Class Working Poor Underclass Upper Class Corporate Class Poverty Line Median Income Mean Income 12% 13% 30% 14% 1%

7 Explaining Influence of Elites Elitist Power (C Wright Mills): Tied to those in government making decisions based on political favors Tied to those in government making decisions based on political favors Coalition of corporations, military, and government officials dominate political power & make decisions on their behalf--iron triangles Coalition of corporations, military, and government officials dominate political power & make decisions on their behalf--iron triangles Many add media chiefs & labor officials to coalition—issues network Many add media chiefs & labor officials to coalition—issues network Proof? Examples? Links Proof? Examples? LinksLinks

8 Explaining Influence of Elites Bureaucratic (Max Weber): Government power is in the hands of a small group of bureaucrats (civil servants) who translate law into policy. Government power is in the hands of a small group of bureaucrats (civil servants) who translate law into policy. Bureaucrats enforce policies according to their own guidelines. Bureaucrats enforce policies according to their own guidelines. Bureaucrats are hired for expertise but rarely fired for incompetence. Bureaucrats are hired for expertise but rarely fired for incompetence. Proof? Examples? Proof? Examples?

9 Explaining Influence of Elites Pluralist: No single elite dominates politics; resources are too widely spread out; too many institutions No single elite dominates politics; resources are too widely spread out; too many institutions –Many groups compete with each other for control over policy –Policy is the outcome of political haggling, compromise, & shifting alliances among groups –Hyper-pluralism: “pluralism gone sour” There are so many groups that have power, that government is weakened and unable to act. Proof? Examples? Proof? Examples?

10 Is Democracy Driven by Self- Interest? Arguments for? Arguments for? Is capitalism necessary for democracies to be successful? Is capitalism necessary for democracies to be successful? Arguments against? Arguments against? Do elites ever act for common good? Do elites ever act for common good? Should we all be cynical or at least skeptical of politicians? Should we all be cynical or at least skeptical of politicians?

11 Summary ElitistPluralistMarxistBureaucratic Source of power Grouping of influential forces Clusters of societal interests capitalist mode of production Career civil servants Nature of power concentrateddispersedconcentrated

12 Who governs? To what ends? Structures of government Structures of government Forms of democracy Forms of democracy Majoritarian vs. Elitist decisions Majoritarian vs. Elitist decisions 4 theories of elitist power 4 theories of elitist power Greed, power, selfishness—oh my! Greed, power, selfishness—oh my!

13 Test Taking Tips for AP Success There are two sections to the AP Gov. test There are two sections to the AP Gov. test The first part is a multiple-choice section. The first part is a multiple-choice section. –Consists of 60 questions (My test are 50) –Answered in 45 minutes (My test is 40 min.) –Each question has five answer choices –Some include charts, graphs, tables, cartoons – No guessing penalty Go over hints & examples on sheet. Go over hints & examples on sheet.

14 Test Taking Tips for AP Success The 2 nd section consists of Free Response Questions (FRQ). The 2 nd section consists of Free Response Questions (FRQ). –There are 4 separate FRQ prompts (My test has 2) –Have 100 minutes to complete all 4 prompts (My test allows 40 minutes) –Always number, letter and label like the FRQ –These FRQs are NOT essay questions! –You do not need intro or conclusion—just answer each question Go over hints and examples on sheet. Go over hints and examples on sheet.

15 Assignments Study for your test on Tuesday, 9/3. Study for your test on Tuesday, 9/3. Notes will be collected at the end of the testing session. Notes will be collected at the end of the testing session. Assignments will be posted on board after test & on my website. Assignment will be due Thursday of next week. Assignments will be posted on board after test & on my website. Assignment will be due Thursday of next week. Blog due by midnight tomorrow. Blog due by midnight tomorrow. Test-taking tips are already posted on my website. Test-taking tips are already posted on my website.


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