Elitism Flashcards
Where is power found
> Power is concentrated in the hands of a minority “elite”.
> The majority “ruled class” is exploited by the “elite” to suit its own interests and maintain its position.
> The Elite form a united front allowing them to rule in their own interests while the masses are apathetic and fragmented (Elitists differ on what the united front is however).
The State
> The state is not neutral; it acts in the interest of the elite.
> However who the elite and how they control the state differs:
- Social and Educational (UK)
- Dynastic (USA, Syria)
- Religious (Iran)
- Military-Industrial (USA, Israel)
- Organisational (Political organisations)
- Racial (Apartheid South Africa)
Democracy
> Democracy is a façade, as ultimately the citizens while having a choice, can only really choose between parties that are in effect elites.
> Democracy distracts citizens with minor concessions and promoting the pluralist idea of the state being an “honest broker” when in reality a system to benefit the elites exists.
> “It is democracy in name only”-Steve Hilton, Cameron’s Chief Advisor.
C.W. Mills 1950s study
P>ower distribution in the USA found that members of 3 areas (Corporations, Federal Government and the military, all whose power had been concentrated since 1900) were from the same socio-economic background, WASPs and male.
> Mills called this the “Power Elite”.
> This “Power Elite” was the united front of the elites Mills found in the 3 areas, and “command posts” in each elite were “crossed-over” to the same “Power Elite” members.
Donald Trump cabinet
> The composition is reminiscent of Mills’ “Power Elite”: 10 members are from business and finance, while 9% are ex-generals.
UK Parliament
> A third of MPs in the UK Parliament are privately educated while less than a tenth of the UK is privately educated.
> Over half of Conservative party members and over 20% of Labour party members are privately educated.
“The Media Establishment”
> In his book Owen Jones identifies that during the 1992 General Election, the Labour Party was ahead in the polls yet still lost.
> He analyses and proves that it was the influence of the mass media, particularly Rupert Murdoch’s papers that heavily skewed the result against Labour.
> Jones uses this to discuss the Overton Window and uses this to justify Henry Fairlie’s description of “The Establishment”.
