Elitist Theory and Policy Making

Abstract

One of the core assumptions of the elitist theory is that a small number of elite groups run the government and other power institutions in the United States. If one is to analyze the policy process based on that assumption, it is inevitable to say that policies are then determined by those elite groups, thus reflecting their interests1. In this paper, I will try to analyze that relationship and demonstrate through example how elitist theory can be used to capture important elements of our political system, including the common background of members of the power elite. In addition, I will address some of the limitations associated with the theory.

Keywords: Elitism, elitist theory, policy making, democracy