According to Sorenson
(2004), elitism is a term that is often used to elaborate a state where power
concentration is in the hands of a few people in the society. Pluralism is the
opposite of elitism. This theory analyses the influence of the elite on the
political and social development of a state. The theory also refers to
developments whereby a few individuals in the society assume unique privileges
with a view that their assumed responsibilities will translate into benefits to
the society and themselves. According to
proponents of elitism, pluralism is a political theory that is utopian in
nature and its application does not apply in an ideal setup.
Political elites entail individuals who have the ability
to influence political outcomes. In addition, they are able to affect the
operations of political institutions on a regular basis. The aforementioned is
possible because they are strategically placed in the society i.e. they run
powerful organization or play a cardinal role in both the social and political
movements in a state. According to Cai (2004), these persons have climbed the
political ladder and they are neary or already at the peak of the power
pyramid. Put differently, these persons are responsible or are better placed to
stir political unrests at any point in time. Different societies posses
different political elites at any particular time.More often, political elites
are often divided into camps that are
frequently warring. One camp may be in the upper ladder of power, this
positions them well to oppress other camps which are below it.From the above,
it is apparent that these political elites are often disunited. On rare
occasions, political elites bond together tightly in a political pary or a
religious movement to showcase shared ideology . However, neither disunity or
unity of political elites is well aligned with the democracy of a state.
Globalization exposes modern states to quite a number of
challenges. In the contemporary society, qiuite a number of thinkers, policy
makers and political scholars are in agreement that the challenges of
globalization can not be understated. Although there there are some positives
asscoiated with it, it is apparent that the relevance of modern governments if
fast becoming extict. This is because due to globalization these states have
lost their influence both politically and economically.According to Hays (2004), globalization has tranforemed
not only the nature of modern states but also that of capitalism. For example, on one side, capitalism is
gaining momentam and it is becoming ungovernable as the disembedment of makets
from institutions is taking root. On the other hand, the power of the state
towwards the protection of its teritory is fast withering. The aforementioned
has lead to the sprouting of a unique kind of economy, that which is deprived
off its sovereignity, has a tend on its policy frameworks and has joined global
governance arrangements (Almond et al., 2000). In addition, the important locus
pertaining policy making and coordination of economic affairs has shifted from
the modern state courtesy of globalization. This hampers and erodes the gains
of democracy.
According to
Calvert (2002), the signing of Amsterdam treaty in the dying moments of
the 20th century increased the levels of immigrants to europe. These
immigration are exposing modern state to a lot of changes, this have therefore
neccesitated the formulation of stringent policies to address the issue. The
debates surrounding europeanisation are conceived around politics that seek to
dissect the issue in realtion to modern states and other emerging political
organizations.The sprouting of new actions both social and political, new
institutions together with the emmergence of new culture exposes modern states
to acute challenges. The aforementioned aspects does not only deplite the
sovereignity of states but also impacts its internal processes pertaining state
legitimacy on political matters. The increased levels of europenisation in the
late 1980s and 1990s could not be contained by national legislation. In
addition, both economic and political independence were jeophardised political powers of states
became obsolete.
New right is a term that is often used by quite a number
of states to ellaborate right wing policies. In addition, new right describes
the coming into being of estern europe political parties after the fall of
soviet union and the disbandment of systems that utilized communism. The
challenges of this form of theory is immense to modern states. This is largely
because the policies are not often intertwlined with the modern form of
policies which factor in the plight of all citizens while basing all policies
on democracy aspects (Almond et al., 2000).
According to Bellamy ( 2008), a liberal democracy is a
state or setup of governemnt whereby the representative democracy works under
the cardinal fundamentals of liberalism. Such a state is showcased by not only
free and fair elections but also competitive ones i.e. its elections brings
together a good number of political parties.In addition, governemnt branches are often independent as
their powers are often separated. Modern liberal democratic states are a
stigler to the rule of law. In addition, the rule of law often guides all
persons in the society as human rightts, freedoms and other liberties are
envisaged in it. On the political angle perse, modern liberal states are often
manned by the constitution that enshrines governemnts power by delienating its
powers. Liberal democracy captured momentum during the 20th century
and is now the most predominant sytem in the world.
Modern liberalism is a political view that seeks to
transform the politics, economics and social setup of the society to enhance
the development of individual citizens. According to Sorenson (2004),liberals assert that citizens
are rational individuals who ar eble to utilize their inteligence to improve
their welfare without necessarily distabilizing an already established
political structure. Modern liberalization ephasises the empowerment of
individuals so as to free them from government restrains. Modern liberalism has
done remarkably well in changing how persons view governemnts. For example, in
the past, governemnts were seen as bodies used to correct society abuses and
shortcomings in the society. However, in todays society, political governemnts
are not associated with the gagging of individual freedoms and rights.
In conclusion, it is apparent from the above discussion
that liberal democratic states play a cardinal role in vesting the real
political power in the hands of its citizens. This kind of a political systen
presupposes that individuals have the ability to make sound judgements and
decisions that are not only good for themselves but also for their nation. Another notable aspect from the above
discusion is that political systems will tend to change given the
disatisfaction of a group or a class of persons. For examle, in the case of
marxism theory, workers who sell their labour to capitalism when aggrived are
bound to rebel agains the rulling elite who control the capitalistic economy.
References
Almond, G., Bingham, P., Dalton, J., & Stom, K. (2000). Comparative
politics today: A world view. New York: Pearson Longman.
Axford, B. (2002). Politic: An introduction. London :
Routledge.
Bellamy, R. (2008). Citizenship: A very short
Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Cai, Y. (2004, October). Managed participation in china. Political
science Quartely, 119(3), 425-451.
Calvert, P. (2002). Comparative Politics: An introduction.
Harlow: Longman.
Chen, A. (2002). Capitalistic development entrepreneurial
class, and democratization in china. Political science Quartely, 117(3),
401-422.
Hays, P. (2004). China new nationalism: Pride,Politics and
Diplomacy. Berkeley: University of California.
Leftwich, A. (2004). What is politics? Cambridge:
Politry.
Solinger, D. (2002). Labour market reform and the plight of
the laid-off proletariat. China Quartely(70), 304-326.
Sorenson, G. (2004). The transformation of the state:
Beyond the myth of state retreat. London: Palgrave.
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