Pluralism Vs Elitism

318 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Pluralism vs elitism

This essay defines the theory of “elitism” and “pluralism” and how these two theories compare. First, this essay describes the theory of “elitism”. Then, it provides some historical events that we’ve studied in class that support the theory of “elitism” in the political process. Next, this essay describes the theory of “pluralism”. Then, it provides some historical events that we’ve studied in class that support the theory of “pluralism” in the political process. Finally, this reading response explains how these two theories compare. Definition of “Elitism” Elitism is a theory that describes society being “divided into the few who have power, called elites, and the many who do not, called masses” (Schubert 4). It is described as a few elites

Show More
Related

  • Ames And Hedges

    1032 Words  | 3 Pages

    The articles bear similarity in that they both discuss matters relating to America’s political system. Both works address the apparent disinclination of Americans

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Rogers Smith's Ascriptive Inegalitarianism

    1555 Words  | 4 Pages

    Smith introduces the concept of ascriptive inegalitarianism, which effectively brings to light the conditions in which the reality of political ideologies exist due to social preconceptions that are passed from one generation to the next about the “natural” superiority of one race, gender, religion, etc. Liberalism and republicanism exist and function within this realm, not allowing for their respective ideological potentials to be fully realized. Hereditary burdens are placed on minorities because of clashing of democratic liberalism and republicanism along with these systematic and cyclical discriminatory practices. When seen through the eyes of society and government, these systems are completely inescapable. Americans, through these ascriptive systems of multiple political traditions, struggle with the contradictions each idea presents against the other and as a society attempt to embrace the best qualities of each. These outlooks help explain why liberalizing efforts have failed when countered with supporting a new racial or gender order. The ascriptive tradition allows for intellectual and psychological validation for Americans to believe their personal and hereditary characteristics express an identity that has inherent importance in regards to the government, religion, and nature. This provides those who are a part of the white elite to dictate which features are the most desirable and holy, giving head to social conceptions like “white wages”, which make them inherently superior to all other races and cultures. These ideologies are institutionalized within all facets of American life such as causing evils like mass incarceration, wage gaps, and rising suicide

    Read More

  • David Brook Persuasion

    885 Words  | 2 Pages

    In David Brook’s, “One Nation Slightly Divisible” and Jonathan Rauch’s, “In Defense Of Prejudice, both writers make valid points. Both authors also have a common technique; Brook’s and Rauch seem to have biased viewpoints towards the subject matter. But although these two authors share this similarity, one author stands out in how he uses the bias to his advantage or even to the advantage of the audience to better understand and be convinced by his ideology. Although both authors seem to have biased viewpoints, their bias fuels their arguments in efforts to successfully fulfill their purpose. David Brook’s appears to structure his biased viewpoint in a way that exhibits a more pervasive bias than Jonathan Rauch in how he uses the bias to incorporate

    Read More

  • The Big Sort Analysis

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bishop asserts that the American people are, consciously and unconsciously, segregating themselves into like-minded communities and losing any variety of thought, along with healthy debates or challenged beliefs; by doing so, these homogenously-forming groups are driving majorly divisive wedges in between one another. The amount of polarization that we are witnessing today in both the American government and public alike can be largely attributed to this communal and lifestyle segregation and it has been for a long time, though unknown to the mass public. Bishop notes that this pattern of cultural and population sorting mostly began in the 1960s, during that volatile period of riots, unrest, and revolution. Many people were dissatisfied from the conformity of the 1950s and wanted something different ...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Tyranny Of The Majority By Lani Guinier

    1351 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lani Guinier, in her essay titled “Tyranny of the Majority” (1944), justifies her political ideas and explains that as a result of these ideas, she has explored decisionmaking rules that prevent The Majority from “exercise[ing] power unfairly or tyrannically.” She supports her justification by incorporating childlike anecdotal stories, quoting loved American patriots, and creating conceptual analogies. Guinier’s purpose is to convince her opponents, as well as Americans with moderate political orientations, that her views and ideas aren’t too radical, in order to convince them that in order to make America a “true democracy,” they must consider her methods and strategies for desegregating The Majority. She adopts a patriotic, idealistic tone

    Read More

  • Ideal vs. Reality: Religious Pluralism vs. Religious Tolerance

    1288 Words  | 3 Pages

    Eck, Diana L. “What is Pluralism?” The Pluralism Project at Harvard University. Harvard University, 2011. Web. 10 Oct. 2011.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Radicalism Of The American Revolution

    815 Words  | 2 Pages

    Yet, the Republicans undercut their own plans for America. By using the idea of equality not as an equality of the people but as an “equality of opportunity” the Republicans opened the door for anyone with the proper education to hold office. This caused a distinct separation between members of society, one that would not last. As the people began to think and act according to their own self-interests they began to advocate for self-government. Given that they were trusted to determine the virtue of their leaders, individuals began to understand they could also determine virtue within themselves, leading them to believe that there was no reason to differentiate between and among men.

    Read More

  • America's Democracy

    1078 Words  | 3 Pages

    The political culture that defines American politics shows that despite this compromise, America is still very much a democratic society. The very history of the country, a major contributor to the evolution of its political culture, shows a legacy of democracy that reaches from the Declaration of Independence through over two hundred years to today’s society. The formation of the country as a reaction to the tyrannical rule of a monarchy marks the first unique feature of America’s democratic political culture. It was this reactionary mindset that greatly affected many of the decisions over how to set up the new governmental system. A fear of simply creating a new, but just as tyrannic... ...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of 'In Defense Of Elitism'

    1211 Words  | 3 Pages

    Elitism is the behavior of a person or group who see them as superior to the rest of the society in being able to do something. In Defense of Elitism by William A. Henry III it was an interesting short story to read. This short story was very eye opening to me because I am living exactly what In Defense of Elitism is talking about I could say many students in community college are as well. When leaving high school everyone is faced with the option of getting a part time job and going to college whether it is a two-year or a four year or, getting a full time job making the best money you can to make a living. The question is what will be worth doing to make your life better in the future. I work a part time job (graveyard)

    Read More

  • In Defense of Elitism

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Defense of Elitism. Summary The dominant theme in this essay appears to be this: post war social changes such as offering increased university admission promote the view of egalitarianism in education. The author’s main issue with “secondary” education is the sheer numbers of our population that the United States as a whole educates. According to Mr. Henry, the United States educates nearly thirty percent of high school graduates who go on to a four-year bachelor’s degree. He believes that the increased number of graduates has led to a workforce of mediocrity.

    Read More

  • Social Mobility in The Great Gatsby

    595 Words  | 2 Pages

    The highest social class cannot be reached by outsiders. This is a class that you must belong to or marry in to, you cannot work your way up to it. Works Cited Bourdieu, Pierre. A. Distinction- A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste(Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1984).

    Read More

  • Pluralistic Ignorance: Misinterpreted Firsthand Information

    1593 Words  | 4 Pages

    As human beings, we have a strong desire to be accepted by others. We engage in behavior based on what we assume those around us are engaging. We misinterpret the firsthand information we gain from observing other people’s behavior. People’s behavior sometimes spring from a desire to create an impression that is not a true reflection one’s own beliefs, which may lead to errors in judgment. When a majority of group members privately reject a norm but assume that most others accept it, they are engaging in pluralistic ignorance. (Gilovich, Keltner, Chen & Nisbett, 2013, p. 112) Pluralistic ignorance occurs whenever people act in ways that conflict with their private beliefs because of a concern for the social consequences.

    Read More

  • Army Design Methodology

    1263 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shapiro, Ian, Rogers M. Smith, and Tarek E. Masoud, eds. Problems and Methods in the Study of Politics. Cambridge ; Cambridge University Press, 2004.

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Power Elite

    1055 Words  | 3 Pages

    People think of the members of the higher levels in terms of what they own and what they have, their possessions. The elite however are not defined only by those who have an abundance because if it were not for their stature they would not have these possessions that people speak of.

    Read More

  • Pluralism with Multiple Methods of Adaptation

    580 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gould and Lewontin present an argument criticizing the way evolutionary science solely relies on adaptations in the current environment. Their argument, known as pluralism, asserts that evolutionary biology continues on the path adaptationism without ever exploring other methods. Gould and Lewontin propose several alternative approaches, the fourth of which states that an identical trade into different organisms of the same species can be led to in different ways that have the same result. They assert that organisms that do this are a product of selection even though they used one method instead of another does not enhance the fitness of the organism. To demonstrate this, suppose there are two foxes. The first is able to dig the burrow using its front paws and snout while the second uses its hind legs followed by the front paws. In this scenario both of these foxes dig equally sufficient burrows at the same speed and both are able to remain and live comfortably inside of them. The foxes come to the same result by utilizing different meth...

    Read More

More about Pluralism Vs Elitism

Open Document