Elites3315w12-3
ElitesWhat they are, generically
◦People who occupy top positions in society, politics, business, sports, etc
Why they interest us◦Have the most influence◦Often thought the best at what they
do
Political elitesWho counts?
◦Elected politicians? Party officials, unelected?
◦Top bureaucrats?Who else has enough influence – ability
to shape outcomes – to be included?◦Media? Business? Movements? Military?
Other countries?How many? About 1/100th of 1% of pop.
◦So about 3000 in Canada nationally
Why they interest us: 2 reasons◦As with any elite – they matter
What groups/interests are represented, overrepresented or underrepresented?
◦Do they keep up with the times? Do elites changes as fast as society?
◦What if they don’t? Why does that matter?
Big issue in LALiving museum!
◦Especially to late 20th century◦So is everyplace else, to some
extent.If elites can block others’ access
to positions of power, what happens?
Thinking about elites: 3 waysStandard PS, descriptive &
positional◦Top officials of the moments◦Recognized influentials◦Snapshot – ahistorical◦Miss rising and falling stars
Power elite◦Small group of people with
interlocking interests; e.g., military, corporate, state
◦Each retains own interests◦Can compete and disagree◦Could even be several, competing
power elites, at least in principle Different issues or different levels
Ruling class◦The class that controls the economy
controls society◦Historically the most accurate
Describes more of history than others◦Relatively easy to apply
If you can define and identify the dominant economic class
Power elite v. Ruling classPower elite: Emphasizes intra-
elite diversity; possible clashesRuling class: Emphasizes unity;
divisions often overlooked by analysts
Power elite more useful for PS◦Internal conflict◦Opportunities for change
We want to knowWho’s in the political eliteHow it influences governmentWhat its values are
◦Self-interested or public-regarding?◦Publicly accountable?◦Unified or divided? Over what
issues?◦Do they have outside allies?
How a different elite would change govt
In Latin AmericaHistorically, independence to late
20th c.An “Iron Triangle” or a
TriumvirateChurch, Wealthy (especially
landed elites), Military◦One represents physical power +
one for the power of money + one embodying moral power
◦Covers the bases.A quick look at each
ChurchBack to Reconquest and
Conquest of AmericaChurch has central role
◦Inquisition◦Evangelizing◦Educating◦Legitimating state/social system
Had wealth economic influence; moral power political and social influence◦Sometimes protected poor,
especially indigenousOften target of liberal, anticlerical
reformsAllied with conservatives
ultramontanes◦To protect self & retain/regain
position
20th century revolutions (Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua)◦Anticlerical due to links between
church and other elitesChanging times: 1960s on
◦Protestantism grows 1916 ~ 125K in all; infinitesimal Now between 60-65m, about 12% Pluralism
Liberation Theology, 1960s through 1980s◦Important in Brazil, El Salvador,
NicaraguaContent
◦Social action + political engagement Leftist tilt
◦Christian Base CommunitiesQuashed by Vatican, JPII +
Ratzinger/BXVI
OverallStill influential in some countriesNot the force it was even 60
years agoThere will generally be moral or
religious leaders among political elites
In LA the make-up of the moral elite is changing
How does this compare to other places?
USA?Israel?Egypt?Iran?Does religion matter in politics?
MilitarySpecialists in violenceAgain historical trajectory
◦Conquest + Independence + Caudillo era
End of caudillo era professional militaries around 1870◦Brings new style military
intervention
Institutional coups◦Military as institution
Not individual leader◦Why?
Bureaucratic Authoritarians, 1964-89◦New style military govt◦Long-term, transformational◦Some left disgraced; all left on own
terms
Currently◦Coup, Honduras 2009◦Attempted police coup, Ecuador,
2010◦The rest
Pressure groups As in USA, so still matter But in a different way
ElsewherePakistan?Egypt?N. Korea?Ivory Coast?Military’s place in political elite
changing worldwide
WealthyInvest, hire, shape economy,
often focus of economic policyUsually from several sectors
◦Finance◦Resource◦Manufacturing◦Commerce or trade◦One may dominate
In LA big landowners, latifundistas, dominate well into 20th, even 21st C.
Why?◦Ag ex sector importance◦Historic ties to other elites◦Have money; enter new fields
Losing influence since 1990◦Some rebound currently
How?◦Co-opt◦Ally◦Repress some; exclude others
Implications◦Economic change: Fast? Slow?◦Political change?
Elsewhere?UK?NL?USA?Russia?South Africa?Is LA and outlier?
New elites◦Economics?◦Power/ force?
Less important?◦Moral?
Why it matters in LAOld elite non-/anti-democraticWas able to stay on top longer
than mostDid it retard economic and
political change?Or did slow economic and
political change keep the Three in power longer?
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