What is the Difference Between Elitism and Pluralism?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Elitism and pluralism are two different theories that explain how power is distributed in society and how decisions are made in political systems. They are as follows:
- Elitism:
- Power is concentrated among a few groups or individuals, including the government.
- This theory suggests that only a few major pressure or interest groups have any influence, and even they struggle to gain power because it is concentrated in the hands of a few members.
- Elitism is closer to dictatorships.
- Pluralism:
- Power is distributed among different groups in society, and decisions are made through the pushing and pulling between these groups.
- Political power rests with competing interest groups who share influence in government.
- Pluralism is closer to democratic political systems.
Both theories have evidence to support them, and most theories use elements of these umbrella theories to explain how power is divided. In reality, government action and public policy are influenced by an ongoing series of trade-offs or compromises between different groups and interests, including both the elite and the people.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Elitism and Pluralism? Comparative Table: Elitism vs Pluralism
Comparative Table: Elitism vs Pluralism
| Feature | Elitism | Pluralism |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Elitism is a theory that posits power is concentrated in the hands of a few groups or individuals, such as the government. | Pluralism is a theory suggesting that power is spread amongst different groups in society, with various interest groups influencing decisions. |
| Power Distribution | Power is concentrated in the hands of a few elites, who hold significant influence and control over government actions. | Power is evenly distributed among multiple groups, and it is the ongoing competition between these groups that shapes government policy. |
| Interest Groups | Elitism implies that only a few major pressure/interest groups have any influence, and that even they struggle to gain power because it is concentrated in the hands of a few members. | Pluralism suggests that a multiplicity of interest groups exist, and they compete with one another to influence government policy. |
| Government Action | Government action is mostly influenced by the elite, who may prioritize their own interests over the needs of the general population. | Government action is shaped from the bottom up, as competing interest groups find themselves in conflict regarding important issues, leading to policy creation and compromise. |
| Popular Participation | Elitism argues that only a small set of economic and political elites have any influence over government actions. | Pluralism encourages citizen participation in various ways, with the United States having many different levels and branches of government that any citizen or organization can influence. |
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- Oligarchy vs Democracy
- Plurality vs Majority
- Collectivism vs Individualism
- Populism vs Progressivism
- Autocracy vs Oligarchy
- Culture vs Diversity
- Equality vs Diversity
- Pragmatism vs Progressivism
- Tribalism vs Cultism
- Capitalism vs Democracy
- Diversity vs Inclusion
- Egalitarian vs Ranked Societies
- Pragmatism vs Idealism
- Cultural Relativism vs Ethnocentrism