lectam1

TReading:
D & Z Chapter 1

Three Theories

A philosophical/ theoretical debate exists at the core of any discussion of government, indeed at the core of what it means to be human. During the next few weeks we will be exploring these philosophical/ theoretical underpinnings in the context of the study of the roots of the American political system. There are some"great questions" which we will explore in the next section of the course. At this same time in some of your other classes you will be engaging in similar discussions. The reason for this is quite simple, along with education for career and personal objectives:

1) the University of Dayton is committed to having you explore fundamental issues that educated persons have explored for centuries (part of the structure of your general education at the University of Dayton involves "The Humanities Base", a series of courses which explore what it means to be human);

2) the nature of the social sciences revolves around the exploration of all aspects of the human condition; and

3) political science is the study of the relationship between individuals and governmental institutions.

The first thing we are going to examine (and the subject of Chapter One in the Dye and Zeigler text) are three general theoretical approaches to the study of government. As you will learn, all theories have a core assumption (or set of assumptions) called postulates and then ideas which flow logically from those assumptions called deductions. Each of these three theories has a core assumption which you may agree or disagree with. Each then has a set of ideas which flow logically from these assumptions. While reading Dye and Zeigler and exploring this site, ask yourself the following questions:

"Which theory's core assumption do I most agree with?".
"Are all of the deductions in each theory logical?"

Elite Theory

Core idea: Society is inevitably divided into the few who have power
and the many who don't.

1) Since society is inevitably divided into the few who have power and the many who don't, only a small number of persons allocate values for society. The masses do not decide public policy.

2) The few who govern are not typical of the masses who are governed. The elites are drawn disproportionately from the upper-socio-economic strata of modern societies.

3) The movement of non-elites to elite positions must be a slow and continuous process if stability is to be maintained and revolution avoided. Only non-elites who have accepted the basic elite consensus (see 4) are admitted to the governing circle.

4) Elites share a consensus on the basic values of the social system including the preservation of the system. They disagree only over a narrow range of issues.

5) Public policy does not reflect the demands of the masses but rather the prevailing values of the elite. Changes in public policy will be incremental rather than revolutionary.

6) Active elites are subject to relatively little direct influence from the apathetic masses. Elites influence the masses more than the masses influence the elites.

Democratic Theory

Core idea: If individuals are allowed to parrticipate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives, they are transformed.

1) Popular participation in the decisions that shape the lives of individuals transforms them.

2) Government is by majority rule with recognition of the rights of minorities to try to become majorities. These rights include freedom of speech, press, etc.

3) Individuals and society have a commitment to individual dignity and the preservation of the liberal values of life, liberty and (property).

4) There is a commitment to equal opportunity for all individuals to develop their own capacities.

Plural Theory

Core idea: Individual democratic rights are protected in a system of group competition.

1) Although individuals do not participate directly in decisionmaking, their many leaders do make decisions through a process of bargaining, accomodation, and compromise.

2) There is competition among leadership groups that helps to protect the interests of individuals. Countervailing centers of power can check each other and keep each interest from abusing its power and oppressing the individual.

3) Individuals can influence public policy by choosing among competing elites in elections. Elections and political parties allow individuals to hold leaders accountable for their actions.

4) Although individuals do not participate directly in decisionmaking, they can join organized groups and exert influence by participating in them.

5) Leadership groups are not closed; new groups can be formed and gain access to the political system.

6) Although political influence in society is inequitably distributed, power is widely dispersed. Access to decisionmaking is often determined by how much interest people have in a particular decision. And because leadership is fluid and mobile, power depends upon one's interest in public affairs, skills in leadership, information about issues, knowledge of democratic processes, and skill in organization and public relations.

7) There are multiple leadership groups in society. Those who exercise power in one kind of decision do not necessarily exercise power in others. No single elite dominates decisionmaking in all areas.

8) Public policy is not necessarily majority preference, but it is an equilibrium of interest interaction--that is, competing interest group influences are more or less balanced and the resultant policy is a reasonable approximation of the public interest.

Continue to scroll down this page until you come to the "Questions to Consider". Answer the questions (being sure that the answers remain visible within the box) then print a copy (specifying starting at page 3) and
bring it to class!

Questions to Consider:

1. Which core idea do you most agree with? Why?