The danger of super elite in political organizations is a topic that has been debated by many scholars and commentators. Some argue that the existence of a small group of powerful and influential individuals who dominate the political, economic, and social spheres of society is a threat to democracy, equality, and justice. Others contend that elites are inevitable and necessary for the functioning of complex and modern societies, and that they can be held accountable by the public through various mechanisms.
According to some elite theorists, such as Pareto, Mosca, Michels, Weber, and Schumpeter, democracy as rule by the people is an illusion, and that in reality, elites are always in charge of political decision-making. They claim that elites have certain advantages over the masses, such as superior talents, skills, resources, networks, and ideologies. They also suggest that elites tend to form cohesive and stable groups that protect their interests and privileges, and that they use various strategies to manipulate and control the public opinion and behavior1.
On the other hand, some democratic theorists, such as Dahl, Putnam, Habermas, and Rawls, challenge the pessimistic view of elites and democracy. They argue that elites are not monolithic or homogeneous entities, but rather diverse and pluralistic groups that compete and cooperate with each other. They also assert that elites are not immune or isolated from the pressures and demands of the public, but rather responsive and accountable to them. They propose that democracy can be enhanced by strengthening the institutions and practices that enable the participation and representation of the people2.
The debate between elite theorists and democratic theorists is not only academic, but also practical and relevant for the current political situation. In recent years, there has been a rise of populist movements and leaders around the world, who claim to represent the interests and grievances of the ordinary people against the corrupt and detached elites. Some examples are Donald Trump in the US, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Narendra Modi in India, Viktor Orban in Hungary, Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, and Boris Johnson in the UK. These populists often appeal to the emotions and identities of their supporters, while denouncing or dismissing the facts and arguments of their opponents. They also tend to undermine or disregard the norms and institutions of liberal democracy, such as human rights, rule of law, checks and balances, civil society, media freedom, and scientific expertise3.
The danger of super elite in political organizations is therefore a complex and controversial issue that requires careful analysis and evaluation. It is not enough to simply accept or reject the existence or role of elites in society. Rather, it is important to examine who are the elites, how they are formed and selected, what they do and why they do it, how they interact with each other and with the public, how they are influenced and challenged by various factors and forces, and how they can be made more responsible and responsive to the common good.
Dr Joseph Lee 