The Elite Connection: Problems and Potential of Western Democracy Paperback / softback - 1993 - 1st Edition
by Amitai Etzioni
- New
- Paperback
Designed as a textbook for courses in political theory, political sociology, and comparative politics, and as a contribution in its own right, this book explores the role of elite relations as a key to understanding democracy.
Description
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Details
- Title The Elite Connection: Problems and Potential of Western Democracy
- Author Amitai Etzioni
- Binding Paperback / softback
- Edition number 1st
- Edition 1
- Condition New
- Pages 260
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Polity Press
- Date 1993-03-02
- Features Index, Table of Contents
- Bookseller's Inventory # B9780745610689
- ISBN 9780745610689 / 0745610684
- Weight 0.9 lbs (0.41 kg)
- Dimensions 9.04 x 4.74 x 0.67 in (22.96 x 12.04 x 1.70 cm)
- Library of Congress subjects Democracy, Social classes
- Library of Congress Catalog Number 92038690
- Dewey Decimal Code 321.8
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From the rear cover
Following a critical review of the literature on classes, democracy and elites, the author argues that although Western democracy is not `governed by the people' and has not created equality, it is unique in that (more than any other regime) it has generated a relative separation of power holders, or a relative autonomy of elites and sub-elites in the control of resources. Developing this argument the author discloses strengths and weaknesses in democracy's infrastructure.
The Elite Connection contains a warning that a major danger to democracy stems from the tendency of elites to make incursions into the autonomy of other elites, and to develop excessively close dependency relations, either in subjugation of them, or in collusion with them, which result in threats to civil liberties and to the very foundations of democracy. It argues, however, that democracy has the built-in potential to counter its own subversions. Although it focuses on elites, the book has an egalitarian perspective: it concludes with the argument that the separation of elites makes possible struggles for greater equality. The still relatively independent elites of social movements have the potential of pushing democracy towards greater participation and equality.
