Pluralism, Majoritarian and Elite Theories
The question whether Madison’s brilliant solution to bringing competing groups into relative harmony succeeded also brings us to our third concept: the plualist, majoritarian and elite models political scientists use to explain the American political system and how it works.
Spoiler alert: Only around half of the US population’s eligible voters actually vote. And if voters aren’t voting who runs the show? (The 2020 presidential election was an exception with 66 percent of eligible voters voting.)
Pluralists realize most people don’t vote, but, in our high school example, they would argue that as long as each group from popular kids to nerds is represented before student government and school administration, good and fair decisions can result. This approach updates Madison’s original solution for the modern era.
Followers of Elite theory argue that since many don’t vote, those with power (i.e. money) rule. In our high school example popularity rules, so more cheerleaders and jocks get into power and call the shots.
There is also a second version of elite theory that says education and wisdom rather than money should equal power. This view, which was also held by some of our founders, says people often don’t vote because they are ignorant so decisions should be made by those better able to deal with differing ideas and points of view. In our example, teachers and principals are wiser and should rule because they know what’s best for the students.
Those subscribing to majoritarianism argue that those left out in society would have more power if barriers to voting (time, money, feeling empowered) were lifted so more voices could be heard than just elites. In our example, nerds would be better off if everyone voted and had a say because the popular kids are outnumbered by other groups if they joined together rather than being divided.
