Chapter 14
Power 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.
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007
Models of National
Power Structure
• 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.
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Figure 14.1 – Representative Democracy
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Models of National
Power Structure
• 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.
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007
Models of National
Power Structure
• 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.
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007
Models of National
Power Structure
• 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.
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Figure 14.3 – Mill’s Pyramid of Power
Legend:
1= corporate rich
2= executive
branch
3= military leaders
4= leaders of
interest groups,
legislative branch,
local opinion
leaders
5= unorganized
masses
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007
Models of National
Power Structure
• 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.
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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.
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007
Models of National
Power Structure
• 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.
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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
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007
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
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007
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
Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2007