1. The Study of American Government
Chapter1:
The Study of American Government

2. Democratic Centralism
A form of democracy in which the true interests of the masses were discovered through discussion within the Communist party, and then decisions were made under central leadership to serve those interests.

3. THOUGHTS ABOUT POLITICAL ELITES

4. Karl Marx
government is a reflection of economic forces, primarily ownership of the means of production. The economic structure of a society shapes its politics and determines political outcomes.
Proletariat v. Bourgeoise

5. Elitist
C. Wright Mills
Power Elite View
elite - An identifiable group of persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource
elitist theory - A theory that a few top leaders make the key decisions without reference to popular desires.

6. Bureaucratic View
Max Weber
bureaucrats - Appointed officials who operate government agencies and large corporations

7. Bureaucratic View
bureaucratic theory - A theory that bureaucrats make the key governing decisions. According to this theory the influence of government bureaucracies has become so great that elected officials are almost powerless to affect policy.

8. Pluralist View
pluralist theory - A theory that holds that political resources are divided among different kinds of elites, giving relevant interest the chance to influence the outcome of decisions. Policies are made by conflict and bargaining among organizations that represent affected groups.

9. THE END