| Papers [1-14] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 8] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 —> | Search results on "GOVERNING ELITE": |
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The Governing Elite, 2006.
A look at the theory of the power elite and whether it applies to the government of the United States.
1,693 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 5 sources, APA, £ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper takes a look at the theory of the power elite; a belief, held by many, that membership in the government of the United States is only open to those that acquire wealth and property and who accept the national consensus about private enterprise, limited government, and individualism. After examining this theory, the paper goes on to explain the flaws in the theory and why it cannot be applied to the U.S. In providing this explanation, the paper considers the history of the U.S. its presidents, its economic power structure and its civil rights movement.
From the Paper
"The theory of the power elite proposes that "less than 250 people hold the most influential posts in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government, while approximately 200 men and women run the three major television networks and most of the national newspaper chains" (Reynolds). Those that ascribe to the theory of the power elite envision a "pyramid of power" (Reynolds, with a tiny elite class making the decisions for the rest of America. An essential part of the theory of the power elite is that the majority of Americans are powerless to hold those in power accountable for their actions. This is because those, whom Americans would hold accountable, such as their government representatives, are not in the power elite, but actually in a middle level, which is controlled by the power elite. The theory further states that the power elite itself is composed of the highest political leaders, including the President, major corporate owners, and high-ranking military officials (Reynolds)."
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Wright C. Mills's "The Power Elite", 2005.
Book report on Mills's book and his theory of the power elite.
1,658 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Mills's book, "The Power Elite", which is about the nature and function of the elite and how the economy, politics and military merge to dominate state affairs and, to a certain extent, even the personal affairs of people. The paper outlines the book's thesis as well as the criticisms and analysis of the power elite Mills offers in the book.
From the Paper
"Mills goes back and forth in time to explain how this power culture was created and how it has remained intact since the independence. The author maintains that apart from the usual crowd i.e. the politicians and the entertainment professionals we have the corporate heroes who form an integral part of the power elite group. These are those obscenely rich people who made their fortunes during the industrial age and have managed to grow in wealth and power over the century. In the chapter ?The Very Rich?, Mills argues that these very rich people have now been able to attain the support of the mass media that projects them in positive light even though they were once called the ?robber barons?. In the past, they at least had the academic community against them but with the passage of time, it seems everyone including the scholars are in awe of their power and affluence."
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"Preparing for Power: America's Elite Boarding Schools", 2005.
Analyzes and evaluates the book "Preparing for Power: America's Elite Boarding Schools" by Cookson and Persell.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, £ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper examines "Preparing for Power: America's Elite Boarding Schools", which was first published in 1985 and was marketed again two years later in a reprint edition published in 1987 by Basic Books. The paper shows that the authors, Peter Cookson and Caroline Persell, visited more than sixty American boarding schools as they conducted research and gathered institutional, student, and instructor data concerning the curricula, class composition and goals of these elite schools.
From the Paper
"Preparing for Power: America's Elite Boarding Schools was first published in 1985 and was marketed again two years later in a reprint edition published in 1987 by Basic Books. The authors, Peter Cookson and Caroline Persell, visited more than sixty American boarding schools as they conducted research and gathered institutional, student, and instructor data concerning the curricula, class composition, and goals of these elite schools."
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"The Power Elite", 2002.
A comparative analysis of Foucault and C. Write Mills' notions of power in their book "The Power Elite".
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 5 sources, £ 25.95
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Abstract
This paper will discuss the notion of power in the sense of governance in the works of Foucault and C. Write Mills book "The Power Elite", and seek to understand how the two philosophers compare and contrast one another. By understanding the two sides of the argument, we can realize that Foucault does disagree on some of the notions of power that Mills generates, but also aggress with him on others. With these two perspectives in mind, a more informed sense of power structures in socialistic thought will be learned.
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C. Wright Mills' "The Power Elite", 1975.
This paper discusses C. Wright Mills' "The Power Elite" that cites great changes in the structure & direction of American society.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 1 source, £ 39.95
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From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine and review The Power Elite by C. Wright Mills. In doing this we must bear in mind that years have passed since the book's publication. The structure and direction of American society has changed a great deal since then; therefore, one must examine recent events in our history carefully before accepting the author's views.
The thesis of this book is that the key decisions in American foreign and domestic policy are made by a small group of men occupying the upper circles of the corporate, political, and military domains. These men, the power elite, are extraordinarily powerful, in that their actions and decisions (or lack therefor) have more influence on more people than has ever been the case in world history. Conversely, the middle and lower levels of American society, which are ideologically the center of power ... "
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Elite Power in Canada, 2007.
An analysis of the views of J. Brownlee in "Ruling Canada: Corporate Cohesion and Democracy".
962 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 1 source, APA, £ 24.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the book, "Ruling Canada: Corporate Cohesion and Democracy," written by J. Brownlee. The paper discusses Brownlee's observations that Canada has been in a state of decline in recent decades. It describes, according to the book, the elite power and dominance in Canada and how this affects the economic and political order of the country.
From the Paper
"The unity of elites was dramatically demonstrated in a corporate offensive that was reflected in the early stages of globalization. Globalization refers to the reaction by corporate leaders to reduced profits, slowed economic growth, and government regulation who "attempted to mobilize their collective resources to increase their power and control over the global economic system". At that time, such changes as advances in telecommunications and financial deregulation provided economic elites with enhanced power. The elites gained sufficient power to be able to launch an attack on the state and the nature of democracy. Associated with globalization was a complex process of economic and political restructuring, which became known as neoliberalism. Neoliberalism "incorporates a range of elite policy imperatives such as trade liberalization, privatization of publicly owned enterprises, deregulation, emphasis on deficit and/or debt reduction and business-friendly tax reform"."
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Class Conduct: Social Darwinism and the Industrial Elite, 2002.
This essay discusses Social Darwinism, in Dickens' book "Hard Times", as it relates to the relationship of the working class and the factory owners.
1,000 words (approx. 4.0 pages), 6 sources, £ 25.95
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Abstract
This essay discusses Charles Dickens? book, ?Hard Times?, with respect to the industrial elite, such as the factory owners, and their relationship with the working class. More specifically, the author discusses how Social Darwinism, a philosophy that allowed for the mistreatment of the poor, played a major role in the separation of the two classes.
From the Paper:
"Dickens? book, "Hard Times", first came out in 1854, well after evolutionary theory had been introduced to Britain. Bounderby, one of the characters in Hard Times, represents an adherent to a variation on evolutionary theory: Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism is the idea that social policy should allow the weak and unfit to fail and die, and that this is not only good policy but morally righ.t?
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Lermontov Takes on Russia?s Elite, 2003.
A look into Mikhail Lermontov?s story ?Princess Mary? in his famous book, "A Hero of Our Time".
1,600 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 2 sources, MLA, £ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at Mikhail Lermontov's hatred for Russian society by closely examining a story ("Princess Mary") from his book "A Hero of our Time". By illustrating the interactions between Pechorin and his two female acquaintances, Princess Mary and Vera and also by examining the story's setting, the author shows Lermontov's true feelings for the Russian upper caste.
From the Paper
"?People have been fed enough sweets?they need bitter medicine? Lermontov could have created the protagonist, Pechorin, as an anti-hero for a multitude of reasons. However, Lermontov?s incentive for such a fabrication as Pechorin can basically be traced to his general disillusionment with mankind. The author even states, in his introduction to ?A Hero of Our Time,? that while some people might not fully believe a person like Pechorin could exist, ?[i]s it not perhaps because there is more truth in this character than you would like there to be?? (?Introduction? 132). While the reader is tempted to automatically hate the character Pechorin for the things that he does and the motives compelling him to do them, many readers will also feel a generally unwanted connection between Pechorin and themselves."
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The Ruling Elite in the Middle East, 2001.
1,643 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 4 sources, £ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper is an analysis of political legitimacy in the Middle East. It provides theories on various ways in which leaders in the Arab World legitimize their rule, while providing numerous in-depth examples. The paper also discusses leadership succession in the Middle East- specifically, how is leadership succession decided and how should it be decided? The main focus of the paper is how these issues ? political legitimacy and leadership succession ? bring about the political instability commonly found throughout the Middle East.
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A Government of the People, 2006.
A paper arguing that the American government is no longer a government of the people.
2,553 words (approx. 10.2 pages), 5 sources, MLA, £ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper makes the argument that America has become a government of the elite rather than a government of the people. The paper points to the fact that elections are financed and controlled by interest groups and that the cost of elections makes it prohibitive for anyone but the very elite to run for office. The paper details how these two factors are the primary reasons why America no longer has a government for the people, by the people and of the people but rather has a government that follows the political Golden Rule: He who has the gold rules.
From the Paper
""Every civilization has a government of some sort...The Americans make their state, as they make their armies and corporations, a vast organizational achievement; they speak of 'the business of government'." (Lerner, p. 353) The problem is that government, and the election of so-called "representatives" has become a business. Big business. And, the bigger the business the more influence it has on the elections, on legislation, on the future of the ordinary citizen who does not have the financial influence to participate."
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Pluralism vs Elitism, 2006.
A discussion pluralism and elitism as approaches to policy.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, APA, £ 28.95
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Abstract
This paper studies the effect of pluralism and elitism on American politics. The paper argues that American politics and government are too complex to fit under the umbrella of either pluralism or elitism. The paper demonstrates that in most cases public policy and government are the outcome of a mixture of both approaches to politics.
From the Paper
"Historically pluralism is associated with democracy a system of checks and balances of power that forge a consensus of the general interest that dictates government policy. In contrast the elitism or elitist perspective ..."
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Bill Clinton and Elites in American Society, 2005.
A look at what the career of Bill Clinton says about the role of elites in America.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 3 sources, APA, £ 22.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at Bill Clinton's political career and considers what significance it holds regarding the role of elites in American politics. The paper argues that Clinton's rise shows that there are indeed limits on elite domination of American society.
From the Paper
"In principle we say that everyone is equal. In practice there is little doubt that elite groups wield enormous influence over American public life. Many critics would say that they effectively dominate public life and policy. As an example of both the influence and limitations of elites we may consider the experience of former president Bill Clinton. As the President of the United States Bill Clinton wielded the constitutional and informal power of the presidency. However to understand how..."
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The Competing Nature of Roman Elites, 2006.
A review of the constitutional basis of politics in ancient Rome.
1,943 words (approx. 7.8 pages), 5 sources, MLA, £ 43.95
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Abstract
The paper highlights the manner in which Rome's elites competed with one another, and in doing so, looks at a variety of issues. The first such issue is the constitutional basis on which Roman politics rested. The paper discusses the distribution and separation of political power combined with the elitist forces of money and patronage, so essential to the system, which fostered the necessary climate for competing influence. The paper states that such competition usually took the form of political argument and manoeuvre. The intrinsic role of the military as a breeding ground for future political leaders meant that an unequivocal link remained between the two forces of state. The paper states that wherever the ultimate power of ancient Rome rested, it was always the elite that were in the position to utilise it.
From the Paper
"However, it was on this basis the Roman elite completely dominated the functions of government. Moreover, the perquisites required to be a member of the elite were largely financial (Le Glay, 1996, p. 125). As such, Roman politics was organised and directed on the foundation of family wealth and as a consequence, small numbers of very wealthy families enjoyed predominance within the political system. It is therefore unsurprising that the business of politics and the culture that flourished from it was formed on the feuds that existed between leading members of the elite. The fact that the system itself was exclusionary in its very nature inevitably resulted in power struggles between elitist families. Although those seeking election to public office required the consent of the voting populace, the methods adopted to acquire such consent centered solely on the ability to marshal financial might and family loyalties in support of an election bid. As such, differing families and interests had to seek and establish ties and alliances between one another for mutual gain (Kelly, 2004; p. 84). This naturally caused consternation and hostility between competing groups within the elite."
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Interest Groups, Elites, and Political Parties, 2006.
An overview of the sociology of group dynamics and politics.
1,293 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 9 sources, MLA, £ 30.95
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Abstract
The paper reviews the history of sociological studies of political groups, parties and influence, starting in the 1920s, citing several studies. The paper lists different schools of thought on the topic beginning in the late 19th century, classifies them, and identifies writers who advocated each of these schools.
Table of Contents:
Interest Groups, Elites, and Political Parties
Analysis of Political Attitudes
Modern Major Directions of Interest
Functionalism and Structuralism
Symbolic Interactions
Modern Determinism
Bibliography
From the Paper
"What some have called the behavioral revolution had its greatest successes in the analysis of public opinion, political attitudes, and electoral behavior. Especially in the period after World War II, the refinement of statistical techniques in public-opinion polling, the analysis of voter behavior, and the development of new research concepts have brought the study of opinions and attitudes closest to the goal of the scientific outlook and some considerable distance from the mark made by Merriam in the 1920s. The Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has become an important national center for the collection of data on elections and voter behavior."
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