Elitist Perspective: The Room Where It Happens

Understanding Policies (10700193-90)

Yue Hu

Tsinghua University

Where are we now

Starting from rational choice theory….

Problem solved:

Goal & Preference order

  • System theory
  • Structural functionalism

Problem to solve:

Decision Makers

  • Elitism
  • Group theory

Overview

  • Classic elitism theory
  • Adjusted elitism theory
  • Application

Classic Elitism

What Can You Learn from the Video

Question

Are YOU elites?

Who are the Elites

  • Vilfredo Pareto: Governing elites; non-elites; masses

  • Gaetano Mosca: Political class; non-~

  • Robert Michels: A few individuals → social organizations → masses

The key for defining elites

  • Organization
  • Construct a binary social structure
  • Set the criteria to separate elites and masses

The room where it happens: Organized elites

Keypoints in the Classic Elitism

Why elites rule

Elites have better skills and resources;

Masses are unorganized;

Elite governance is inevitable.

How to rule

Elites have the power;

Elites make the rule;

Masses follow the rule;

Elites get benefits; masses suffer.

One phrase for the relationship between
the elites and masses?

Applying elitism

Adjusted Elitism

Who are the Elites (Adjusted)

E.E. Schattschneider: The most educated and highest-income members of society

So……you?

How to rule

C. Wright Mills: A triumvirate of power groups—political, economic and military

Classic

Elites have the power;

Elites make the rule;

Masses follow the rule;

Elites get benefits; masses suffer.

Adjusted

Elites have the power;

Elites lead the rule;

Masses participate;

Elites get benefits; masses satisfy.

What’s the primary difference?

Focus Adjusted

What can you see?

Being engaged does not mean being better

How Do Elites Influence: Individual and Collective

Voting

Voting

Contact

Contact

Campaign

Campaign

Communal

Communal

Critique of Elitism

Take-Home Points

  • Basis of elitism
    • Who are the elites
    • How to rule
    • Elite-masses relationship
  • Classic elitism
    • Elites rule, masses suffer
  • Adjusted elitism
    • Elites rule, masses follow

Reference

Bonus: Examining Elitism

Who can wake the poor?

In the context of inequality

Exposure to higher levels of local income inequality

↓

Low-income people to view the United States as divided;
Low-income people identify themselves as the “have-not”

→

Class consciousness

Class consciousness

Alternative Explanations

Social Psychology (Verba-Nie)

Social Psychology (Verba-Nie)

SES → civic orientation → participation

Relative Power (Goodin-Dryzek)

Relative Power (Goodin-Dryzek)

Pr(participation) ∝ Pr(win)1 × Payoff

Empirical Examination (Solt, Hu, Hudson, Song, Yu, 2017)