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?