Explain briefly the elite theory of democracy. (2025, 10 Marks)
Elite theory holds that every society, democratic or not, is governed by an organised minority. Democratic procedures change how that minority is chosen and legitimised, not the fact of minority rule. It emerged around 1900 as an empirical rival both to classical democratic theory and to Marxism.
Core Propositions
- Society divides into a small elite and the unorganised masses; the division is universal and permanent.
- Power comes from organisation, ability and institutional position. It is concentrated and seldom filters down.
- Elections and parties mainly legitimise elite control rather than transfer power to the people.
Normative elitism is older: Plato‘s rule of philosopher-guardians, Aristotle‘s remark that some are marked from birth to rule and others to be ruled, the varna ideal reserving kingship for the Kshatriya. Modern theory turns this ought into an is.
Classical and Radical Elitists
- Vilfredo Pareto: governing elites of cunning foxes and forceful lions replace one another in a circulation of elites that bypasses the masses.
- Gaetano Mosca: a ruling class prevails because it is organised, and justifies itself through a political formula.
- Robert Michels (Political Parties, 1911): the iron law of oligarchy makes every large organisation, even a socialist party, a rule of the few.
- C. Wright Mills (The Power Elite, 1956): corporate, military and political chiefs jointly take America’s history-making decisions.
Democratic Elitism
Joseph A. Schumpeter (Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, 1942) reconciled the theory with democracy by redefining democracy as a competitive struggle for the people’s vote. Raymond Aron found freedom in a divided elite, and Giovanni Sartori in open competition among elites. The people choose and remove their rulers but do not rule.
Not the Same as Marxism
Both see minority rule, but:
| Elite theory | Marxism | |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of power | Organisation, skill, position | Ownership of the means of production |
| Duration | Permanent | Ends with a classless society |
| Ruling group | Plural elites (Mills avoided “ruling class”) | One economic class |
Contribution and Limits
The theory brought realism to democratic theory and still explains high-command parties: ADR and National Election Watch data (September 2025) show that 31% of Lok Sabha members come from political families. Robert A. Dahl‘s pluralism answered that power is dispersed among competing groups. Carole Pateman argued that apathy results from exclusion rather than incapacity.
Conclusion
Elite theory describes power in contemporary societies accurately but offers a weak guide to what democracy should be. Whether elite rule counts as democratic depends on whether elites stay open, competitive and removable.