CUET PG 2025 Political Science - Elite Theory Notes PDF

# CUET PG 2025 - Political Science ## Elite Theory of Power **Unit:** Comparative Politics **Brain Booster Series** ### Features: - Static + Current Coverage - 5 Days Class - Free Weekly Test on App - Saturday Test Discussion on YT - Sunday Marathons - Get Class PDF on App Community ### For b...

# CUET PG 2025 - Political Science ## Elite Theory of Power **Unit:** Comparative Politics **Brain Booster Series** ### Features: - Static + Current Coverage - 5 Days Class - Free Weekly Test on App - Saturday Test Discussion on YT - Sunday Marathons - Get Class PDF on App Community ### For best Mentorship Contact: [email protected] ### Daily YouTube Class: 3:00pm **Brain Booster Series Time Table** | Day | Date | Topic | |---|---|---| | Monday | November 18, 2024 | Approaches of Comparative Politics | | Tuesday | November 19, 2024 | Elite Theory of Power | | Wednesday | November 20, 2024 | Dependency Theory | | Thursday | November 21, 2024 | System Theory | | Friday | November 22, 2024 | Weekly Test | | Saturday | November 23, 2024 | Test Analysis | **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## Swati Yadav Mam - B.A. Political Science (H) from Delhi University - M.A. Political Science from Delhi University - Qualified UGC NET in Political Science multiple times - 4 years of experience in Teaching - Mentoring NEEV batch for CUET PG Political Science **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## Who are Elites? - Minorities - Powerful group of people - Domination-Natural and desirable - Elite theory is a theory of the state that seeks to describe and explain power relations in contemporary society. - Elite theory asserts: - Democracy is a utopian folly - Democracy in its idealized form cannot function in a capitalist system **Famous Sociologist - Pareto, Mosca, Robert Michels** **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## Key Features of Elite Theory **Power Concentration:** - Power is not equally distributed in society but concentrated in the hands of a minority or elite group. - This group controls political, economic, and social institutions **Characteristics of the Elite:** - Elites are a small, cohesive, and privileged class with shared interests - They operate through networks of influence, often behind the scenes. - Elites may derive power from wealth, education, social status, or positions in key institutions **Control Over Resources:** - The elite control key resources like wealth, knowledge, or media. - This control reinforces their dominance and ability to shape public opinion and policies. **Circulation of Elites:** - Elites are not static; new elites emerge and replace old ones. - This process, called the "circulation of elites," ensures the continuity of elite dominance while maintaining an illusion of change. **Limited Accountability:** - The elite are often insulated from accountability by their control over decision-making processes. - Democracies, while appearing inclusive, are often guided by elite interests. **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## 1. Vilfredo Pareto - **Concept:** Circulation of Elites - Argued that society is always governed by elites, who rise to power due to their abilities (termed "foxes" for cunning or "lions" for strength). - Elites eventually lose their vitality and are replaced by new groups. **He discussed the existence of two types of elites**: - Governing Elites - Non-governing Elites **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## 2. Gaetano Mosca - **Concept:** Ruling Class - Elites are an organized minority - Elites have intellectual, moral, and material superiority - Stated that society is always divided into two groups: the ruling minority (elites) and the ruled majority. - The ruling class uses organizational and intellectual superiority to govern. **a) Political Class:** Active in Politics **b) Non-Political Class:** Non-Active **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## 3. Robert Michels - **Concept:** Iron Law of Oligarchy - Observed that democratic organizations inevitably develop oligarchic tendencies. - Leadership centralization occurs as organizations grow, making power less accessible to the masses. **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## 4. C. Wright Mills - **Concept:** The Power Elite - Focused on the U.S., identifying three key elite groups: corporate leaders, military leaders, and political leaders- triumvirate of power groups - These groups form a tightly interconnected "power elite" that controls major decisions, often bypassing democratic institutions. **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## 5. James Burnham - In his book, **The Managerial Revolution (1941)**: - Burnham talks about how the real functional power is in the hands of the managers rather than the political representative or businessman with respect to control and ownership. **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## Elite Theory in Modern Contexts - **1. Economic Elites:** - Wealthy individuals and corporations influence policy through lobbying, funding political campaigns, and media ownership. - **2. Political Elites:** - Politicians and bureaucrats with access to state power shape governance, often prioritizing elite interests. - **3. Cultural Elites:** - Intellectuals, media figures, and academics shape societal values and opinions, often reinforcing elite ideologies. - **4. Global Elites:** - In globalization, multinational corporations, international organizations (e.g., IMF, World Bank), and transnational elites play a dominant role in shaping global policies. **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## Criticisms of Elite Theory - **1. Determinism:** - Critics argue that elite theory is overly deterministic and dismisses the potential for genuine democratic participation. - **2. Neglect of Social Movements:** - It underestimates the role of grassroots organizations and mass movements in challenging elite dominance. - **3. Overemphasis on Stability:** - Elite theory tends to focus on maintaining hierarchies and may not adequately account for revolutionary changes or democratization. - **4. Simplistic Dichotomy:** - The binary division between elites and masses oversimplifies complex power structures in society. **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## Elite Theory vs. Pluralism | Aspect | Elite Theory | Pluralism | |---|---|---| | Power Distribution | Concentrated among elites | Dispersed among various interest groups. | | Decision-Making | Dominated by a cohesive minority | Involves competition among groups. | | Public Participation | Limited; elites control major institutions | High; multiple groups influence decisions. | | Change | Gradual and controlled by elite circulation | More dynamic due to group competition | **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## **CUET PG 2025 - Political Science - NEEV 2.0 Batch - October Batch** **USE CODE: SWATI30** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## MAHAPACK - Double Validity - Access to all courses - Access to Crash Courses - Mock Tests Set - Adda CUET PG Book **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## ADDA TEACHERS **CUET PG ASPIRANTS** **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30** ## For best Mentorship and Batch Enrollment **[email protected]** **JOIN TELEGRAM FOR PDFS, QUIZZES: @CUETPGADDA247** **For maximum discount USE CODE: SWATI30**