Political Inequities in America

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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of America’s democracy according to Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page?

Political decisions are made transparently and democratically.

It is primarily driven by citizen engagement.

Ordinary citizens achieve their desires solely when aligning with elite interests. (correct)

It ensures equal representation for all social classes.

According to Matt Taibbi, which social issue exemplifies the inequities generated by America's political establishment?

Environmental regulations

Healthcare access (correct)

Public education funding

Employment opportunities

Which political theory best describes the diversity of organized associations in early American politics?

Hyper-pluralism

Pluralism (correct)

Libertarianism

Authoritarianism

What major criticism does Matt Taibbi make regarding the treatment of different crimes in American society?

High-profile white-collar criminals often go unpunished. Signup and view all the answers

What principle did Alexis de Tocqueville observe that reflects the essence of pluralism in early America?

The principle of association among citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of war does Taibbi highlight when discussing societal inequities?

It disproportionately impacts lower-income families. Signup and view all the answers

Which political concept suggests that various interest groups compete for power in America?

Pluralism Signup and view all the answers

What outcome of debt forgiveness policy is criticized by Taibbi?

Wall Street banks are favored over individual citizens in financial distress. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that many organized interests compete on an equal basis with no single interest dominating policy for long?

Pluralism Signup and view all the answers

What term did Theodore Lowi use to describe the process where the government implements the wishes of all interest groups, leading to potential dysfunction?

Interest-Group Liberalism Signup and view all the answers

How do elite theorists critique pluralism and hyper-pluralism?

They argue that a small, wealthy class has disproportionate control over policy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common critique of hyper-pluralism regarding government policy?

It creates contradictory government policies reflecting conflicting interests. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of elite theory?

Vigorous competition among interest groups Signup and view all the answers

According to hyper-pluralism, what has happened to the nature of policymaking over time?

It has transformed from pluralism into chaos. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is considered as having a significant influence according to elite theory?

Wealthy individuals and corporate leaders Signup and view all the answers

What is the core idea of pluralism regarding the struggles among interest groups?

There is healthy competition leading to balanced outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between business interests and policy-making as per the elite theory?

Business interests often align to control political outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Democracy and Inequalities

Democracy in America is characterized as coincidental, often aligning with elite interests rather than genuine public consensus.
Vast inequities exist across various sectors:
- Criminal justice favors harsh punishment for street crime, while white-collar crimes often go unpunished.
- War disproportionately affects lower socio-economic classes, sparing the wealthy elite.
- Healthcare creates fears of financial ruin due to medical expenses.
- Economic policies, like bailouts, primarily benefit Wall Street, leaving individuals facing foreclosure and student debt abandoned.

Theories of American Politics

Political analysts are divided into three main theoretical systems: pluralism, hyper-pluralism, and elite theory.

Pluralism

Rooted in Alexis de Tocqueville's observations, pluralism celebrates the diversity of organized associations in American politics.
Ordinary citizens can form or join various interest groups, competing to influence policy.
No single group maintains long-term dominance due to the competitive nature of interest representation.

Hyper-Pluralism

Suggests that American politics has evolved from pluralism into hyper-pluralism, a state where the government caters excessively to numerous interest groups.
Leads to contradictory policies, such as fossil fuel subsidies alongside carbon emission regulations, indicating a lack of coherent competition.
Theodore Lowi terms this as interest-group liberalism, highlighting dysfunctional governance.

Elite Theory

Elite theory posits that a small, wealthy class (the power elite) significantly influences governmental decisions, overshadowing broader democratic engagement.
Elites can manipulate political outcomes through organized business and military interests.
The theory points to overlapping networks among elites, including corporate and educational board memberships, which solidify their control over political processes.

Historical Context

Noam Chomsky emphasizes the historical ongoing conflict between demands for greater freedoms and elite dominance in American society, showcasing a trend that has persisted throughout U.S. history.

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Description

Explore the insights of Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page on America's democracy and its underlying inequities. This quiz examines the disparity in how different classes face justice and the political establishment's role in shaping these outcomes.