HELP ABOUT MARXISM!

[cheisgreat]

I have a presentation to do on Marxism and I'm really stuck on these three questions. I know the basics but I need something more specific and that sounds good. It would be great to get some help!


(1) How do Marxists respond to the pluralist interpretation?

(2) What distinguishes ruling class theory from ruling elite theory?

(3) Compare and contrast the elitist and Marxist accounts of political power.

Thanks in advance.

[cheisgreat]

Anyone?

[TheDifferenceEngine]

Clarify your questions first.

[bezdomni]

"Pluralist interpretation" of what? Production relations? Literature? Linear algebra?

You're also going to have to clarify what you mean by "ruling elite" theory. That seems like something out of a textbook (which I suspect it is).

[bloody_capitalist_sham]

Originally posted by [email protected] 26, 2007 09:53 pm
Clarify your questions first.
thats what i was about to say.

Are the questions primarily in relation to the state and contemporary capitalist society?

[chicanorojo]

Originally posted by cheisgreat+November 26, 2007 05:02 pm--> (cheisgreat @ November 26, 2007 05:02 pm)I have a presentation to do on Marxism and I'm really stuck on these three questions. I know the basics but I need something more specific and that sounds good. It would be great to get some help!


(1) How do Marxists respond to the pluralist interpretation?

(2) What distinguishes ruling class theory from ruling elite theory?

(3) Compare and contrast the elitist and Marxist accounts of political power.

Thanks in advance.[/b]

As others have stated, you need to put some context to your questions.

Pluralism I am image to be the following(?):


wikipedia
In democratic politics, pluralism is a guiding principle which permits the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions and lifestyles. In this context it has normative connotations absent from its use to denote a theoretical standpoint. Unlike totalitarianism or particularism, pluralism acknowledges the diversity of interests and considers it imperative that members of society accommodate their differences by engaging in good-faith negotiation.

As far as "ruling elite theory" you mean it to define as?:


Societal power is concentrated in elite groups who control resources of key social institutions and are not accountable to the masses, origins of societal power lie in control of social organizations, regardless of how (un)democratic a society maybe, Elites hold the bulk of power; use all and any means to retain power, power becomes end in itself.

Source:E. Wilma van der Veen, Ph.D. (http://husky1.stmarys.ca/~evanderveen/wvdv/Political_sociology/political_sociological_theories.htm)

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

On ruling class theory, try this:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rosa.l/Why%20...Oppose%20DM.htm (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rosa.l/Why%20I%20Oppose%20DM.htm)

And click on links (5) and (11) in the Index at the start.

If there is anything there you are not sure about, ask, and I'll clear it up as soon as I can.

[Luís Henrique]

Originally posted by [email protected] 26, 2007 05:02 pm
(1) How do Marxists respond to the pluralist interpretation?
By stating that the pluralist interpretation fails to account for the hierarchy of social relationships. To Marxists, society is determined by its mode of production; other social clivages are thus subordinate to the class divide.


(2) What distinguishes ruling class theory from ruling elite theory?

A class is economically determined by its position regarding the means of production; an "elite" is not. If you are referring to Pareto's theory of elites (as I suppose you are), then Pareto's elites are a-historical, and correspond to different approaches on how to dominate the masses. Essentially, his elites type I and type II alternate in power, dominating by either force or mislead.

Marxist classes are historical; the modern bourgeoisie came into existence about the XVIII century, and nothing similar to it existed before. Conversely, the former ruling classes - feudals, slaveholders, despotic state bureaucrats - have disappeared.


(3) Compare and contrast the elitist and Marxist accounts of political power.

It more or less comes as a consequence of the former. Elitists believe that the masses will always be pray to some kind of elite, and will never play an independent role in the political scene.


Thanks in advance.

You are welcome.

Luís Henrique