Populist vs. Elite Forms of Democracy

Elite body politic in Mueller's (2, 177) view is cosmopolitan and is oriented toward prosperity, and characterized by widening class divisions and intense ethnic conflicts. Mueller (2, 177) also argues that the cross-national association between clement capital reflected in the activities of elites and democracy is quite strong. In his begin to understanding what drives democracy, Mueller (1, 3-4) maintains that elites formulate policies that support their interests and allow certain entitlements to pervade d sustain to the less fortunate.

In contrast, the popular representative present advanced by Loeb (1, 2) is pointed on the belief that mean(a) citizens are able to bring about enormous changes finished their activism. In his philosophy, this grassroots approach to governmental involvement generates a sense of freedom and personal dignity while a failure to be involved in politics is an apostasy of one's responsibility as a citizen in a democratic nation. Loeb (1, 2) claims that in a politically divided nation, "

Accessed online, December 1, 2008.

www.theamerican-interest.com. Accessed online, December 1,

Overall, the arguments advanced by Loeb in favor of an engaged citizenry are more obligate than those advanced by Mueller.

Elites in America do devote an enormous voice in shaping the American political system. Nevertheless, grassroots movements have proven enormously successful in bringing about change.

While: Hope in a Time of Fear." 2008. Available at

Insecurity." National Interest, 2008. Available at

This does not mean that Mueller (2, 60-64) is correct in his cynicism about the likelihood that the vast majority of people in a democracy will be focused solely on their own material well-being. There is a season during which people fetch or are likely to become political activists and for about Americans, activism gives way in mid-life to a very necessary focus on providing for one's family. It is possible to remain committed to the political help while not spending hours knocking on doors to master out the vote.

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