Elitism

1.

“Elites-not masses-govern the United States.” (Irony of Democracy, IoD, pg. 1). 402 pages after this statement is made, a student a simple student in American Government truly understand what Elitism is. I can speak for myself only in this regard, for a complete understanding of this “Elite Theory” in contrast with “Pluralism” is more than just knowing that “I” do not run the government, and “we” certainly don’t.

This contrasting understanding is at the heart of what the “Irony of Democracy” is. “We”, as in the masses, may be “represented” in the state capitol, but it is a small group of men and, more recently, women whom make the decision for us. “Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinions.” (Edmund Burke, IoD, pg 275). This statement, to me, sums up the need for Elitism in governing body, over the course of the next few pages, I will attempt to sway you, the readers, opinion to this line of thought.

The first thing I want to bring up is our Founding Fathers, the group of men whom laid down their allegiance to Great Britain in hope of forming a nation where all men may live free. Many of the Founding Fathers were wealthy plantation owners, lawyers, or shrewd businessmen. Far from the yeoman farmers that they hoped to create a nation for.

The reason I bring these men up is because they represent the first group of Elites to run our country. George Washington, our first president, was on of the richest men in America at the time of the revolutionary war (IoD pg. 26). Yet again, far detached from the farmers and laborers they represented. Washington was the rule not the exception in the census of delegates.

The Elites of that area set up the national government in such away that it would be balanced, amongst the elites. The so called “checks and balances” system that we enjoy today. This system may keep the powers at the national level...