Elite Theory and Group Theory

Elite Theory and Group Theory

In this assignment, I pick up elite theory and group theory and show their strength and weakness. These theories are important in the history of political science. Although both of them are significant theories to explain various political systems and phenomenon over the world, there is a long dispute between the two sides. In my opinion, as Anderson (2014) claims, each theory provides different angles of policy formation, and both theories are more useful for comprehending some political incidents than others.

Firstly, according to elite theory, public policy is based on claims of the masses but the predominant opinions of the elite (Anderson, 2014). Anderson (2014) argues that elite theory features in leadership in policymaking and in governance by a few. Elite theory can be useful to suggest why a policy formed on the demands of a minority is selected over another that the majority of people hope (Gomez, 2009). For example, in the civil rights movement, the national policy made by white elite shaped white mass opinion on policy questions more than white masses form elite opinion (Dye, 2011). Though the white majority had a negative feeling against the civil rights movement, white elites including politicians and judges made an effort to give more opportunities to black people.

        On the other hand, it is difficult for elite theory to explain how the elite, which is a minority of voters and has less influence in democracy, is specified in each case and how the group controls the mass. For example, politicians as elites not only express their opinions based on their belief and parties, but also have to choose their political attitudes by many supporters. Politicians, the ‘elites’, are likely to agree with policies preferred by many supporters, a majority of people, even though they have a different opinion liked by a minority in mind. Elite theory cannot explain why the elite, who needs enough support from a majority to gather a lot of donation and win an election, shapes policies opposed by a majority.  

Secondly, according to group theory (Dye, 2011), “public policy at any given time is the equilibrium reached in the group struggle”. “This equilibrium is determined by the relative influence of various interest groups” (Dye, 2011). According to Anderson (2014), “a group is a collection of individuals that may, on the basis of shared attitudes or interests, make claims on other groups”. Group theory is more useful when we explain policy formation in pluralist societies including the US (Anderson, 2014). In the US, according to Bessette and Pitney (2013), interest groups have got more and more diverse, and the number of national nonprofit associations rose from 14,726 to 23,983 between 1980 and 2010. For example, there are some large labor unions such as AFL-CIO. They are against policies that would lower trade barriers, if not the barriers also make an improvement of wages and working conditions overseas (Bessette and Pitney, 2013). AFL-CIO activities have influence on American trade policy by lobbying congressmen and political parties.