copyright © allyn and bacon 2007 chapter 14 power and politics in conflict and order: understanding...

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007

Chapter 14Power and Politics

In Conflict and Order: Understanding Society, 11th edition

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Models of National Power Structure

• There are two basic views of the power structure—the elitist model of power and the pluralist model of power.– The elitist view of power is that there is a

pyramid of power.– The pluralists see power as dispersed rather

than concentrated.



• Pluralism I: Representative Democracy– This version of the pluralist model emphasizes

that the people have the ultimate power.– The people elect representatives who are

responsible to the people’s wishes.– It ignores the many instances in which the

people have been deliberately misled by their leaders, secrecy, and the undemocratic manner in which election campaigns are funded.


Figure 14.1 – Representative Democracy



• Pluralism II: Veto Groups– This version of the pluralist model recognizes

the existence of a number of organizations and special interest groups that vie for power.

– The groups tend to neutralize each other, resulting in a compromise.

– Critics of this view argue that it is an idealized version that ignores reality.

– The interest groups are not equal in power.



• Marxists assert that there is a ruling class.– The instrumentalist view is that the ruling class

does not govern but that it rules by controlling political officials and institutions.

– The structuralist view is that the state serves the interests of the capitalist class because whoever holds government office will make decisions that promote stability and a healthy business climate—both of which enhance the interests of the capitalist class.



• Power Elite I: The Thesis of C. Wright Mills– According to Mills there is a power elite

composed of the top people in the executive branch of the federal government, the military, and the corporate sector.

– The elite are a self-conscious cohesive unit based on: psychological similarity, social interaction, and coinciding interests.

– There is considerable evidence for linkages among these three sectors.


Figure 14.3 – Mill’s Pyramid of PowerLegend:

1= corporate rich

2= executive branch

3= military leaders

4= leaders of interest groups, legislative branch, local opinion leaders

5= unorganized masses



• Power Elite II: Domhoff’s “Governing Class” Theory– According to Domhoff, there is a dominant

class which is the uppermost social class.– The very rich control the nation’s assets,

control the corporations, are overrepresented in the key decision-making groups in society, and through contributions and activities control both major political parties.


Figure 14.4 – Domhoff’s View of the Structure of Power

Legend: Black line = control; blue line = influence. This model is based on our interpretation of Domhoff and is therefore subject to minor errors in emphasis.



• Power Elite III: Parenti’s “Bias of the System” Theory– According to Parenti, the powerful in society

(those who control the government and the largest corporations) tend to come from backgrounds of privilege and wealth.

– Their decisions tend to benefit the wealthy disproportionately, but the power elite is not organized and conspiratorial.


The Consequences of Concentrated Power

• Who benefits from how power is concentrated in the U.S.?– At times, most everyone does, but for the most

part, the decisions made tend to benefit the wealthy.

– Subsidies to Big Business– Trickle-Down Solutions– The Powerless Pay the Burden– Foreign Policy for Corporate Benefits


The Order and Conflict Perspectives on the Distribution of Power

• The pluralist model of power is congruent with the order model– People in powerful positions work for the

accomplishment of society’s objectives– The state works for the benefit of all– Power is diffused through competing interest

groups


The Order and Conflict Perspectives on the Distribution of Power

• The elitist model of power fits with the conflict model– People in powerful positions are motivated

largely be selfish interests– The state exists for the benefit of the ruling

class– Power is concentrated in a power elite

copyright © allyn and bacon 2007 chapter 14 power and politics in conflict and order: understanding...

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