INTRODUCTION
The elitist theory of democracy is a political theory that asserts that democracy is not based on the rule of the majority, but rather on the rule of an elite group of individuals who hold power and make decisions on behalf of society. According to this theory, ordinary citizens do not have the capacity, interest, or knowledge to actively participate in the political process, so power is instead held by a small group of educated and wealthy individuals who make decisions based on their own interests and perspectives.
THE ELITIST THEORY OF DEMOCRACY IS CHARACTERISED BY SEVERAL KEY FEATURES, INCLUDING:
- RULE OF AN ELITE : The theory asserts that democracy is ruled by an elite group of individuals who hold power and make decisions on behalf of society. This group is typically composed of the wealthy, educated, and powerful members of society.
- LIMITED POLITICAL PARTICIPATION : According to the elitist theory, ordinary citizens do not have the capacity, interest, or knowledge to actively participate in the political process. As a result, they play a limited role in the decision-making process.
- CONCENTRATION OF POWER : The elitist theory suggests that power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals, rather than being dispersed among the masses. This allows the elite to make decisions and set policies without being held accountable to the general public.
- EXPERTISE AND ABILITY TO GOVERN : The elitist theory asserts that the individuals who hold power are chosen because of their expertise and ability to govern effectively. It is believed that these individuals are better equipped to make decisions for society than the general public.
- PROTECTION OF ELITE INTERESTS : The elitist theory suggests that the decisions made by the elite are motivated by their own self-interest, rather than the interests of the general public. As a result, policies and decisions are often designed to protect the interests of the elite, rather than promoting the general welfare of society.
Critics of the elitist theory argue that it undermines the principles of democracy, as it suggests that the voices and perspectives of ordinary citizens are not important and that power should be concentrated in the hands of a few. Proponents argue that it recognizes the limitations of the masses and acknowledges that decision-making power must be placed in the hands of those who have the ability and expertise to govern effectively.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the elitist theory of democracy is a controversial idea that is often criticised for ignoring the diversity of opinions and perspectives of all members of society. Despite this, it continues to play a role in shaping the political discourse and serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates about the nature of democracy and the role of the masses in the political process.
The elitist theory of democracy is a controversial idea and is seen by many as an unsatisfactory explanation of the workings of democracy, as it does not take into account the diversity of opinions and perspectives of all members of society.
MARXIAN THEORY
INTRODUCTION
Marxist theory views democracy as a form of political system that is dominated by the ruling class and used to maintain their power and control over the working class. Marxists believe that true democracy can only be achieved when the means of production are controlled democratically by the working class, and not by a small group of capitalists who control the economy.
In Marxist theory, bourgeois democracy, also known as capitalist democracy, is seen as a façade for the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie (the ruling class of capitalists). According to Marxists, the ruling class uses the institutions of democratic government to maintain their power and control over society.
Marxists argue that the political system is merely a reflection of the underlying economic system, and that true democracy can only be achieved in a socialist society where the means of production are controlled democratically by the working class. In such a society, the state would serve the interests of the working class and be subordinate to their democratic control.
The Marxist theory of democracy features the following key elements:
- CLASS DOMINATION : The Marxist theory views democracy as a form of political system dominated by the ruling class. In capitalist societies, the ruling class is composed of the capitalists who control the means of production and use the institutions of democracy to maintain their power and control over society.
- ECONOMIC BASE DETERMINES POLITICAL SUPERSTRUCTURE : According to Marxist theory, the political system is merely a reflection of the underlying economic system. Therefore, the political and legal institutions of a society are shaped by the economic relations that exist within it.
- CRITIQUE OF BOURGEOIS DEMOCRACY : Marxists critique the existing form of democracy under capitalism, also known as bourgeois democracy, as a façade for the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. They argue that the institutions of democracy are used to maintain the power and control of the ruling class over the working class.
- SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY : Marxists believe that true democracy can only be achieved in a socialist society where the means of production are controlled democratically by the working class. In such a society, the state would serve the interests of the working class and be subordinate to their democratic control.
- PROLETARIAN DICTATORSHIP : The Marxist theory also advocates for a temporary dictatorship of the proletariat, which is the working class, as a necessary step towards the establishment of a socialist society. This dictatorship would be used to overthrow the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie and dismantle the existing capitalist system.
- WORKERS' CONTROL : The Marxist theory of democracy emphasises the importance of workers' control over the means of production and the need for the working class to democratically control the political and economic institutions of society.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, both elite and Marxian theories of democracy share the view that political power is unequally distributed in society. Elite theory suggests that a small group of elites hold the most power, while Marxian theory emphasizes the role of economic elites in dominating the political system. While both theories are critical of the democratic process, Marxian theory also suggests potential solutions through collective action and worker ownership of the means of production to address unequal power relations in society.