Political Power Is Concentrated in an Elite Group - Essay Example

Critically Discuss the View that Modern s, Political Power is Concentrated in an Elite Group Table of Contents Critically Discuss the View thatModern States, Political Power is Concentrated in an Elite Group 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Thesis Statement 3 3 Understanding the Related Power Theories 4 Discussion and Analysis 5 Conclusion 9 Works Cited 10 Introduction There is found to remain a particular view stating that that political power with regard to the modern states is believed to remain concentrated in the hands of an elite group. It becomes necessary in this regard to gain a lucid comprehension regarding the various theories related to power distribution in order to ascertain the actuality of the mentioned view. Certain theories in relation to political science also need to be explored for the reason of validating or opposing the particular view. Thesis Statement The paper would intend to explore the different theories related to power and political science in order to ascertain the actuality of the statement that whether political power of the modern states does actually remain concentrated in the hands of an elite group or not. The paper would also aim to critically discuss the various aspects related to the mentioned view in order to decipher the actual reality of the made statement or the perceived view and the reasons supporting it. Understanding the Related Power Theories The relevant theories in relation to power which would aid in order to affirm or contend the statement that political power is usually found to be concentrated within an elite group need to be adequately explored. The fundamental theory that needs to be discussed in this regard is the pluralist theory of power. According to this particular theory, power is perceived to be possessed by quite some form of groups present in the society and which are believed to contend with one another. It has been stated in this regard that as no specific group is known to control and rule over the other existing groups so, a ‘plurality’ with regard to the contending interest in relative to the fraction of collective individuals as well as the political parties is viewed to typify the democratic form of societies (Sociology.org, “A Level Sociology: A Resource-Based Learning Approach”). The other theory that requires to be mentioned with regard to the stated form of groups in the above mentioned ‘theory of power’ is the elite theory. This specific theory entails the notion that the existence of an uncomplicated plurality with regard to the competing groups present in the society is rather replaced by a succession of contending forms of elites. These mentioned forms of elites have been explained to be the group of powerful individuals who are considered to be competent enough to enforce their personal interests and desires on the overall society (Goertzel, “Theoretical Models in Political Sociology”). The elite theory with regard to the field of political sociology is supposed to be quite highly developed in reply to Marxism. The early theorists in relation to the elite theory were known to be quite traditional who were believed to be resisted not just in terms of socialism but even in relation to the liberal form of democracy as stated by any kind of movement which made efforts to provide the mass population with a larger degree of manipulation on the aspect of political affairs. It was argued by the mentioned theorists that the elites were regarded as quite imperative and unavoidable. It was even stated in the relevant context that any form of revolutionary movement which imagined to get rid of the elites was believed to come to an end and find a solution by just merely reinstating one elite group with the other ones. The theorists in relation to this specific theory have been found to make use of two different primary aspects of argument. In the initial place, it has been disputed by them that few definite facets with regard to the human character make elites predictable. The other aspect is that it has been disputed by the theorists regarding the fact that elites are considered to be required for the effectual functioning and operation for any form of a social organization (Goertzel, “Theoretical Models in Political Sociology”). Discussion and Analysis The elite theorists have frequently been found to stress on the disparities in the innate competencies which could be regarded as the source in relation to the elites. Each and every individual is not created uniformly owing to which few are increasingly intelligent, stronger and even increasingly artistic. The individuals who are known to possess majority of a definite form of competency is known to represent a particular form of elite, for instance the elite who forms a section of the grand masters of chess and or concert pianists. It can be well comprehended from the mentioned instance that not every kind of competency would aid in gaining economic prosperity or even political power. However, the individuals who are regarded to possess the largest amount of certain specific competencies which are further recognized and rewarded by a particular society turn out to be to be political elite. In few of the societies, an aptitude towards dishonesty might be considered as a precondition for being qualified or recognized as elite. The capabilities are known to be spread continuously and on a flat curve which makes it tough to differentiate between the elites at the top and bottom with regard to the possession of certain competencies. Power is perceived to be a social form of resource similar to any other prevailing form of resource with regard to the society. Thus, power in the mentioned logic is found to depict the competence of assembling and making use of the general resources for the reason of achieving the social objectives of a society. Power is supposed to be implemented or rather made use of for the common interests with regard to the society on the whole. This unequal distribution of power is considered to be required as the attainment of the collective intentions of the society is known to call for the requirement of co-operation. In order to trigger co-operation, organization is deemed to be a necessary element or factor. The facet of organization would entail the need of command as, control or rather management would help in effectually organizing the required form of resources. It was recognised in this respect that the skill to dominate or rather command would further call for the requirement of power (Goertzel, “Theoretical Models in Political Sociology”). Therefore, it could be well deciphered from the above provided explanation that the elite theories in relation to power state the actuality that the societal power remains concentrated within the elite groups. This is owing to the fact that they are believed to command a strong management of the resources with regard to the chief social institutions. The elites are also considered not to be answerable to the mass people as the sources of the societal power is known to be under the command of the social organizations irrespective of the degree of democracy with regard to a specific society. The elites are assumed to possess most of the power and also put it into use in order to keep hold of the gained power. The elites were considered to form an integral part of the society, who were needed for the effective functioning of the social organizations. The economic development is observed to be the basic and primary condition that adds to the progress of a nation as well as social development. The sustained and long-term development is observed to take place only with regard to the steady and effectual states which are found to practice suitable policies with the help of locally discussed institutions as well organizations entailing adequate governance. It has been additionally mentioned in this respect that these factors are not viewed to be attainable without the vital activity in relation to effectual leadership among the public as well as private sectors. The leaders are known to be the ones who institute and maintain locally pertinent as well as effective organizations, settle, create and combine the primary institutions with time in relation to an effectual state (Sociology.org, “A Level Sociology: A Resource-Based Learning Approach”). The leaders are referred to be the ones who are measured to give up the rules as well as the practices with regard to the political as well as economic supremacy. They are also supposed to structure and make certain of the implementation of adequate and proper guiding principles triggering overall social development. It was further identified in this regard that the leaders in every individual field are known to entail the elites. Therefore, it can be well comprehended that the key to the efficient management of resources of the social organizations rests on the competencies and power of the elites. The elites are regarded to be that group of individuals who are responsible for shaping the overall social as well as political condition of a particular state. Thus, with the possession of such imperative powers, it could be truly inferred that with regard to the modern states, the political power remains concentrated within an elite group. Conclusion The above discussion lucidly helps in affirming the statement that with regard to the view of the modern states, the political power is learnt to be limited within an elite group. The ‘theory of pluralism’ states down that the societal power requires to be broadly distributed amid the diverse groups present in a particular society. The elite theory is observed to narrow down the definition of the various groups into elite group and states that the political power remains concentrated within an elite group. The elites have been considered to be an imperative necessary factor for the smooth and effective functioning of the social organizations which makes them the possessors of the societal power which further leads to the concentration of political power within this group as well. Works Cited Goertzel, Ted. Theoretical Models in Political Sociology. Rutgers, 2012. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. Sociology.org. “A Level Sociology: A Resource-Based Learning Approach”. Power and Politics (2012): 1-18. Print. Read More