Transcript Robert Dahl
Dahl, Who Governs?
Democracy and Power
in an American City
Introduced in Berndtson,
“Who Governs Today?”
Who governs?
Political parties
Interest groups or individuals
Social/economic elite
Mass society in symbiosis with a strong leader
…
Power in New Haven:
Definition of power: to get someone to do
something they would otherwise not do
How important are social and economic
inequalities? Is there a ruling elite?
Is democracy/pluralism real or just a façade?
“In a political system where nearly every adult
may vote…”?
Social groups of high status:
In the past: patricians (old rich families)
Since the late 19th century:
Social notables (broader category – high
social standing)
Economic notables (big companies, smaller
companies, bankers, real estate owners,
entrepreneurs)
Are elected politicians
handmaidens of the rich?
Key issue areas:
Party nominations
Urban development
Education
Findings:
Social notables are not very influential in any area.
Economic notables are just one of many groups
whose members can sporadically influence decisions
Little overlap between the two high-status groups
Weaknesses of the economic
notables:
Few in number (votes)
Divided
Participate little in politics
Hold authoritative views only on business-
related issues
Policies consistent with the
interests of the economic notables?
General faith in fiscal conservatism
No consciousness of class conflict
No public demand for policies detrimental to
them
Power shift in New Haven:
No ruling elite
From cumulative to dispersed inequalities
Genuine pluralism
Who governs?
Professional politicians have the greatest
influence, but within limits…
Berndtson’s analysis:
Fundamental division between elitists and
pluralists – processes vs. resources and
effects?
Machiavelli vs. Hobbes – plurality of values,
concentration of power?
Empiricism/behavioralism? Case study?
Recognition of democracy, acceptance of the
status quo?
Ideological hegemony?
Berndtson’s position:
Limitations of empiricism – yet attention to
definitions, taxonomies (3 forms, 4 aspects, 3
spheres, 4 merits, 3 levels of abstraction…)
Pluralism – more interesting, a wider perspective
(analogy: Berlin – foxes vs. hedgehogs)?
Need for intercultural comparison – universal
validity of American/Western theories (focus on
individual interests and rights)?
Need to study authority (legitimate power) – in
order to strengthen the positive aspects of power,
reduce domination?
Society as a mechanical system?