The Distribution of Power in the United States
The ability to command something or someone is defined as power. Power relations are concerned with how individual groups dominate or control other groups. In the United States, where different groups of people live, one group is likely to exert control over the other. Power dynamics can be crude, as in slavery, where one group of people ruled over the slaves. Some world power relations, however, have aided nations in their rise and development. In the United States, some theories are employed to describe power dynamics. State autonomy, Marxism, class dominance, and pluralism are among them. These methods demonstrate how power is distributed in the United States. One of the power theories is best suited to describe how power in the U.S is distributed. Power distribution in the U.S. is mostly based on class dominance. As such, the research question on what power theory best describes how power is distributed in the U.S. can be explained using the class-dominance approach.
The Role of Pluralism in Power Distribution
Pluralism is a theory that shows a situation where people from different religions, races, and social classes live together in society despite their differences. As such, pluralism is a belief that people with different ideologies, interests, or traditions should live together harmoniously in community. Therefore, pluralism is a state in a society where members of diverse ethnic, religious, and racial groups develop and maintain their own culture (Hirst, 2005). It is a state that can only exist within the confines of a civilized world. As such, democracy plays a crucial role in the practice of pluralism in the U.S. It is in the concept of promoting pluralism that dialogue is created whereby people can have an opinion in political, social, and economic spheres of the nation.
The Role of State Autonomy in Power Distribution
The second theory is state autonomy which describes how a state can act independently of capitalistic interests. State autonomy shows a state's ability to implement its interests against dominant groups or classes and other capitalist societal interests (Pratto, Sidanius, & Levin, 2006). State autonomy theorists argue that a state should not be reducible to class logic but rather act independently of class-based power. State autonomy in America is ambiguous because it is a country best looked at regarding class-based economic power. However, classes or class conflict is disregarded in the U.S, but this seems to be more of a form of pluralism working that state autonomy instead.
The Role of Marxism in Power Distribution
The Marxism theory also explains power relations in the United States. Marxism theory was developed by Karl Marx, where he suggested power is controlled by three levels of classes. Hence, Marxism is a social, economic, and political theory that observes the effect of capitalism on the development of society. It shows the struggle between social classes that exist in any society (Aronowitz, 2016). The social types can be grouped into three: the bourgeoisie (upper level), the proletariat (working class), and the ruling class. The oppressed proletariat struggle with the bourgeoisie economically and also politically. The bourgeoisie seeks to gain control over all the factors of production thus oppressing the proletariat.
The Role of Class-Domination Theory in Power Distribution
The class-domination theory of power also shows how power is divided into classes. The upper level or rich people hold power in the United States. The high class has held power for long and will continue doing so unless changes are made into the political, social, and economic system of governance (Damhoff, 2006). It is necessary to change the system because those who predominantly have power in the U.S are those who own income-producing businesses and land.
The Role of Elite Theory in Power Distribution
Additionally, power relations in the U.S can be explained using the elite theory. The elite theory posits that power belongs to a small minority group of members controlling other community's affairs. The small group of elites handles the issues of the other people because they are considered better fit in making decisions (Mills, 2000). Elite theory opposes pluralism where people have equal powers regardless of their different interests and traditions.
Conclusion
Power theories try to explain the distribution of power in society. At large, the study of the five approaches brings about a conclusion that a particular power relation exists in the United States. The best theory describing how power is distributed in the United States is the class-domination theory. Many theorists have tried to suggest how power is distributed in the U.S. Most of the theorists have proposed the pluralism theory, which is predominant in political power since America is a nation that upholds the various diverse cultures and traditions of people. However, class differences show that the pluralist perspective does not entirely hold much influence. Class differences have over the years confirmed that power distribution in the U.S is owned by a particular group of people (Domhoff, 2006). Class differences show that power is unequally distributed in society because a specific group controls the means of production in the U.S. The class-domination theory suggests that political power is claimed by the interests of the capitalist or upper class.
The Class Hierarchy and Power Dominion in the United States
The power dominance of the capitalist class in the U.S goes back to date from the economic history of the nation. It is from the financial account that the capitalism power hierarchy generates a business owning class and a working class. Business owners hire workers whom they can control, thus having power upon them. Hence, people working in factories, farms, and slaves were denied better wages and other social benefits. It created a class of working individuals who had to depend on the business owners for survival (Domhoff, 1967). It is from this history that the class hierarchy originated and manifested itself today in America. Most Americans differ regarding their social and income levels, but through democracy, they cease to be different. However, this does not change the fact that most power is dominated by the upper class who control most businesses and corporations. The constitutionalized government may seem to end the class difference, but the members of the high level still dominate the federal government.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, power theories are of utmost importance in explaining the distribution of power. In the United States, power is distributed from all spheres of the theories, but the most dominant is the class-domination theory. Pluralism theory shows how political power in the U.S is allocated because the state has a neutral system that allows the public opinion of different groups of people (Hirst, 2005). It is regardless of their race, religion, or class. The elite theory, on the other hand, shows political domination through a group of ruling elites. The minority group of elites makes decisions on behalf of other people. As such, power is mostly centralized and concentrated on only particular individuals who control social, political, and economic institutions. However, the class-dominance theory differs from the pluralist, elite, and other methods because it suggests power is controlled by the upper class. The upper class controls the economy through the corporate and business community. The high level also controls the political system with the assistance of their high-level employees in institutions, who can get them in governance (Damhoff, 2006). Hence, all power relations in the United States indicate the dominance of the upper class. They dominate almost all spheres of society, including the economic and political institutions.
Reference
Aronowitz, S. (2016). The crisis in historical materialism: Class, politics and culture in Marxist theory. Springer.
Domhoff, G. W. (2006). Who Rules America? Wealth, Income, and Power. Who Rules America: Wealth, Income, and Power? Mayfield Publishing Co.
Domhoff, G. W. (1967). Who Rules America? Mayfield Publishing Co.
Hirst, P. Q. (Ed.). (2005). The pluralist theory of the state: selected writings of GDH Cole, JN Figgis and HJ Laski. Routledge.
Mills, C. W. (2000). The power elite (Vol. 20). Oxford University Press.
Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., & Levin, S. (2006). Social dominance theory and the dynamics of intergroup relations: Taking stock and looking forward. European review of social psychology, 17(1), 271-320.
