Corporate Elite
Elitist theory holds that the majority of political power is held by a relatively small and wealthy group of people, which share similar principles and interests. Most members of this group are born into affluent families. The majority of top leaders in the United States come from this privileged group. The power elite utilizes a variety of resources to dictate public policy. These individuals tend to hold top management positions within big corporations. These corporations are used as a powerful tool to dominate the political arena. Corporations are granted immense power, which they use, to protect their own interests, as well as, shape the interests of ordinary citizens. "The leadership role that business has in the economy gives executives of large corporations an unusual kind and degree of influence over governmental policy making." (Lindblom 1993:p91) The economic control of corporations plays an essential role in public policy. Depending on how they choose to play the game, large corporations dictate to economic conditions. Politicians must accommodate corporate interests to protect our sensitive economy. These accommodations can be called "corporatism". Big businesses receive a privileged position by donating hu
As already stated, corporations can choose to negatively impact the economy by decreasing productivity, mobilizing outside of the country, downsizing, and, in turn, lead the United States into a recession. Their access places them into a unique position, whereas, large corporations are able to browbeat government. The United States is admired for its' ideals of equality and opportunity. Free enterprise and public policy are indivisible. Choosing to disinvest, downsize, relocate, or, decrease production, often has a negative impact on the economy. It is true that the framework defended the rights of people, but rights were distributed, even more so, to people who owned property. 73) Corporations exercise their power to protect their own interests. This monetary support buys access into the system. According to Ralph Miliband," businesses control the key areas of economic life which makes it extremely difficult for governments to impose upon it policies to which it is firmly opposed. As long as this relationship continues, democratic policy-making will be an impossible goal to attain. It is the tightly woven relationship between big business and government that prevents true democracy. Whether they do or do not make such decisions is less important than the fact that they do occupy such pivotal positions; their failure to act, their failure to make decisions, is itself an act that is often of greater consequence than the decisions they do make. Out of fear, government is forced to share decision-making with corporate bullies.
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Acceptance Essays
