who rules america?. “we the people…” i ask you…

31
Who Rules America?

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Page 2: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

“We the People…”

I ask you….

Page 3: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

The Irony of DemocracyThomas R. Dye and L. Harmon Zeigler

American political life is based on an ELITE theory of Democracy. They challenge the PLURALISTIC view of

democracy in our standard textbooks.

“The Power Elite Theory”

Page 4: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Two Basic Themes….

• Who rules America? ELITES do, not the masses.• In order for DEMOCRACY to

survive, elites must govern, not the masses.

Page 5: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Basic Definitions of Democracy

• Government by the PEOPLE• MAJORITY Rule• The principle of equality of rights,

equal OPPORTUNITY and equal treatment.

Is it TRULY this way?

Page 6: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Who are the “Elites?”

• W_____ and E_______ are the prestigious and socially prominent, or “elite”.

Who are the “Masses?”

•Those who lack wealth and education are less prestigious and are not socially prominent. Large Middle Class….who

is this today? ME? YOU?

Page 7: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Specifically, the Elites are:

•Military• Corporate Leaders• Politicians

Page 8: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

The “Masses” median incomes (’05 #’s)

• 9th grade or less: $17K annually!• HS: 26K• Bachelor’s: 43K (75% college drop out rate; 72% more $ lifetime

with degree)• Master’s: 52K• Professional: 82K

Page 9: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Average Salary 2010

$41, 673

Page 10: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

How do individuals and companies concentrate their power?

• Own huge blocks of stocks of other companies• Through INTERLOCKING

DIRECTORATES• Alliances• Massive Conglomerates

Page 13: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Massive Conglomerates

• Large companies that consist of seemingly unrelated business sections. • Business selling products in more

than one market, therefore not c____________ with each other.

Page 14: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Conglomerates

Page 15: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Conglomerates

Page 16: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

“THE” Media Conglomerate

Page 17: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Other Media Conglomerates

Page 18: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

How else do individuals and companies concentrate their power?

• The M________ - I_________ Complex• The US Military along with:

Boeing, Lockheed, General Dynamics, McDonnell-Douglas, Grumman

Page 19: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Conspiracy Theory??

• Increase defense spending at the detriment of social programs; to promote a war threat to acquire a stranglehold on the national economy.

Page 20: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Participants:

• M________ leaders• D________ contractors• C_____________ with bases in their

districts• L______ U_______• U______________ engaged in

military r_______

Page 21: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

If the masses don’t REALLY run America, (according to Dye and

Ziegler) what about Elections?

Hmm….what do you think?

Page 22: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

“If democracy is to survive, elites must govern. Masses are apathetic, ill-informed,

….and have a weak commitment to e_____ rights.”

Before we look @ elections, let’s look at the attitudes of the masses:

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Page 26: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Do you believe this?

Masses don’t necessarily believe in right to dissent, freedom of speech and press, religious toleration, and

due process of law.

Page 28: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Elections give the masses a satisfying feeling of p____.

Do voters order troops overseas or pass new

tax laws?

Page 29: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Elections and parties are important only for their

s______ value.

It gives the masses a role to play on election day.

Page 30: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

Elections encourage the elites to consider the w______ of the

masses

Elitism contends that the masses have (at best) only an indirect

influence on the decision making of the elites.

Page 31: Who Rules America?. “We the People…” I ask you…

TRUE? Somewhat? Not at all?

Where will YOUR influence more likely prevail in politics?

???????