POLITICAL ELITES & POLITICAL LEADERS

1. The concept of Political Elite2. Theories of Political Elite3. Political leaders

1. The concept of Political Elite

An élite is a selected and small group of citizens and/or organizations that controls a large amount of power. Based on the social distinction with regard to other groups of lower strata, most of these selected

groups are constantly searching differentiation as well as separation from the rest of society. Normally the concept of élite is used to analyze the groups that

either control or are situated at the top of societies. The creation of an élite is also the result of their evolution throughout the history of humanity.

Elite are the most influential and prestigious stratum in a society. The ‘elite’ are those persons who are recognized as outstanding leaders in a given field. Thus,

there are political, religious, scientific, business, and artistic elite.

Pareto, Mosca, Wright Mills, Lasswell, Mannheim, Bottomore, etc., have given

different definitions.

Parry Geriant (1969) has defined elite as “small minorities who play an exceptionally influential part in

the affairs of society in specific fields”.

A political élite is a group of people, corporations, political parties who manage and organize government and all the manifestations

of political power: “elites may defined as persons who, by virtue of their strategic locations in large or otherwise pivotal

organizations and movements, are able to affect political outcomes regularly and

substantially” (Higley, 2008: 3).

Political elite is a group of individuals holding strategic positions within a

political system, which enables these individuals to influence political

decision making directly and regularly.

Political elites include members of the political leadership of a

country, those who represent the country abroad, those who discuss

and make the most important political decisions, policies and

laws.

Non-political elites are: military leadership, civil society and business community elites, intellectual elites and religious elites. These sub-elites

do have some limited influence in the political arena, but since they

lack the power to make policies and make decisions, they are not

considered as members of the political elite.

Power elites are the traditional decision makers. They have a strong hold on direct power, though has been shown through nonviolent conflict and the “paradox of

repression” (think of the dictators overthrown by popular movements) they nonetheless depend on a limited sort of

consent from those over whom they rule.

Political elite include those:(a) Who are elected/nominated to central and

state legislatures,(b) Who occupy important positions in national

or state-level political par ties,(c) Individuals who do not hold any formal

positions either in the government or in political parties but are still considered as

persons of great political prestige and power because they control power-exercisers.

The New ElitesThe new elites or the modern elites are products of the industrial society and

represents the forces of modernization and development.

The new elites are the elected elites. The bureaucracy as the main instrument of public administration has come to be a

very powerful group-an elite group, in all the states. Bureaucracy is a new elite, a

powerful elite at work in every state.

The political elites are popularly classified into three forms:

Traditional Elites - the elites who enjoy power, influence and

authority on the basis of traditions and traditional values. Customs, religion, land, and

family are the bases of their power and authority. Wealth, property and family status, are usually the important sources of power of

the traditional elites.Princes, religious leaders are the examples of traditional elites. Even in contemporary times,

when secularism has come to be universally accepted as a value, religious leaders continue to act as elite groups in almost all the societies.

Aristocratic or Noble ElitesIn almost all such societies as were in the past governed by Kings, aristocratic elites

or royal elites continue to wield power and influence even after the transformation of

monarchical regimes into democratic regimes. The House of Lords in England is an example of an aristocratic elite house within the democratic political system.

2. Theories of Political Elite

Classical Elite Theory

The existence of small, organized groups of individuals who control political power was considered a fact of life by scholars

including G. Mosca, V. Pareto and R. Michels (Michels, 2001; Mosca, 1939;

Pareto, 1935). These three authors used different terms (“ruling class,” “elites” and “oligarchy,” respectively) to refer to elites, but they discussed various aspects of the

same phenomenon.

Elite theory’s origins about a century ago in the writings of Gaetano Mosca (1858- 1941), Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923), and

Robert Michels (1876-1936). They analyze small, organized groups of individuals

who control political power. These three authors used different terms (“ruling

class,” “elites” and “oligarchy,” respectively) to refer to elites, but they discussed various aspects of the same

phenomenon.

Mosca emphasized the ways in which tiny minorities out-organize

and outwit large majorities, adding that “political classes” –

Mosca’s term for political elites – usually have “a certain material,

intellectual, or even moral superiority” over those they

govern.

There are two classes of people (according to Mosca), the Rulers and the Ruled.

Ruling Class-a. Fewb. Perform all political functions,c. Collects and enjoys power.

Ruled Class -a. Numerous b. Controlled by legal means c. Give power to Rulers (no choice

Pareto postulated that in a society with truly unrestricted social mobility, elites would consist of the most talented and

deserving individuals; but in actual societies elites are those most adept at using the two modes of political rule,

force and persuasion, and who usually enjoy important advantages such as

inherited wealth and family connections. Pareto sketched alternating types of governing elites, which he likened,

following Machiavelli, to lions and foxes.

Three major assumptions about social stratification: “individuals are physically, morally, and intellectually different…the

social classes are not entirely distinct, even in countries where a caste system prevails…in modern civilized countries circulation among the various classes is

exceedingly rapid” .

Elite are those who are the best at what they do – can be divided into governing (directly and indirectly affect government) and non-governing elite Special cases – some are governing elites though not entirely qualified, and different groups move in and out of elite status (circulation of the elites). Elites can circulate due to supply and demand considerationsElite class can be eroded as members of the lower class join it, or due to the shortcomings of its members

Michels rooted elites (“oligarchies”) in the need of large organizations for leaders

and experts in order to operate efficiently; as these individuals gain control of funds, information flows, promotions, and other

aspects of organizational functioning power becomes concentrated in their

hands. Emphasizing the inescapability and also the relative autonomy of elites, all three men characterized aspirations to

fully democratic and egalitarian societies as futile.

In his pioneer work, The Power Elite (1956), American radical

sociologist C.W. Mills identified three key institutions—the major corporations, the military and the government. Those who occupied

the command posts in these institu tions formed these ruling elites.

Mills termed them as power elite.

Mills argued that there are three types of elites:

The political elite,Military elite and

The Industrial elite.Together, these made up the power elite. ‘The

power elite are composed of men whose positions enable them to transcend the

ordinary environments of ordinary men and women; they are in positions to make decisions

having major consequences . They are in command of the major hierarchies and

organizations of the modern society.

Marx says that the political leaders from whatsoever class

they may be drawn will be representative of the dominant

class. The Marxian analysis indicates continuing and

increasing inaccessibility or polarization of the dominant and

subordinate classes.

3. Political leaders

A political leader, or a politician, can be anyone who has taken up the responsibility of governing a

party, city, state, region or even an entire nation.

A political leader may be identified as any occupant of an

established political position or as any person, in or out of such a

position, whose political activity has more influence upon a group's behavior than has the activity of

the average member.

Political leaders are not just people who govern nations during peace

times but also during times of crisis. They are people who are

responsible for making and implementing strategies and policies meant to better serve the interests

of the country they govern.

A look at the political leader’s hall of fame would reveal names like

Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Adolf Hitler, Winston

Churchill, Lenin, Stalin.

There are many roles for leaders to play-

leaders may be party organizers, legislators, judges, executives,

diplomats, or so on.

Qualities of Good Political Leaders

HonestyBeing honest can sometimes be difficult because it makes individuals vulnerable. It reveals who we really are and discloses

our mistakes, which gives others the opportunity to criticize or reject openly. Honesty develops character and builds

credibility and trust, which are the foundation to evoke confidence and

respect from those around you, and in the case of political leaders, teammates and

constituents.

CompassionCompassion is the humane quality of

understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something to alleviate that suffering. While many see compassion as

a weakness, true compassion is a characteristic that converts knowledge to

wisdom. Good political leaders use compassion to see the needs of those he or she leads and to determine the course

of action that would be of greatest benefit to all those involved.

IntegrityThe word integrity is defined as ‘the adherence to moral and ethical principles; the soundness

of moral character.’ It is a synonym for honesty and uprightness, and is a vital characteristic for

those in political leadership. Political leaders who possess integrity can be trusted because he or she never veers from inner values, even when it might benefit them to do so. A leader must have the trust of followers. This requires

the highest standard of integrity.

ConfidenceHaving confidence in a political leader is

about having faith or belief that he or she will act in a right, proper, or effective

way. A good political leader needs to be both confident in himself or herself as

well in their ability to lead. Leaders who possess this quality inspire others,

drawing on a level of trust which sparks the motivation to get others on board and

get the job done.

FlexibilityFlexibility for a political leader is about

understanding the give-and-take aspects of politics, and the ability to find the common

ground. Good politicians listen carefully to all sides, to not only hear their arguments but to

especially learn what it will take on behalf of all parties involved to reach a consensus. This

characteristic allows political leaders to recognize setbacks and criticism, to learn from

them and move forward.