Theories of political elitism and an inquiry on the model of strong democratic elitism

The theory of elitism argues that throughout history elites ruled all societies. The theory of elitism has both democratic and undemocratic versions in the literature. Besides classical elitism, normative elitism and democratic elitism, this study examines the model of Strong Democratic Elitism, which is a new model within the context of democratic elitism and put forth in the journal of Turkish Studies . After introducing, by reference to elitism theories, the "normative elitism" which endows the right to rule to only elites; "classical elitism" which gives weight to the elites and acknowledges the right to participate in the elections; and "democratic elitism" which broadly supports the people's participation into democratic processes, and mentioning the distinctive characteristics of these elitism theories, this thesis compares Dr. Kurtbaş's model with the other models of elitism and critically examines the mentioned model by putting forth its original aspects as well as its dimensions that need to be developed further. It is observed that the model of Strong Democratic Elitism which is essentially formulated by utilizing Mannheim's view of partial and pluralist elites and grounded on an institutional basis through check and balance systems, differ from other models of elitism by supporting the necessity of strong, partial, patriotic, populist and virtuous elites on the one hand and strong, fully participatory people on the other. Although the emphasis on virtuous elites might possibly remind Platon or authoritarian republican elitists to some people, the model of Strong Democratic Elitism suggests (re-)including the political virtues into democratic elitism. The model of Strong democratic Elitism which differs from Rousseau, who puts forward participation, by arguing the necessity of strong elites and the necessity of protecting individual rights and liberties without falling into monism, differs from Habermas' deliberative democracy by arguing that without economic democracy deliberative democracy would be unviable. Considering that economic equality got quite hurt in recent years around the world, it is seen that the model of Strong Democratic Elitism's emphasis on economic democracy has been put forth as a result of an up to date necessity and as a response to the social justice needs of the post-modern societies. In the study, the qualities which might be predicted to be necessary for the model of Strong Democratic Elitism to have a functionality in the practical world are also included. In this context, a special emphasis is made on the necessity of a quite special civic education as well as civic virtues in order for model of Strong Democratic Elitism to be viable in the political world. How much the civic education and virtues are up to date and important for contemporary liberal democratic socities is obvious and therefore we believe that these aspects of the model of Strong Democratic Elitism could be further developed in the future studies. As a result of all these, it is concluded in the thesis that the model of Strong Democratic Elitism, being a synthesis of republican, politically liberal and socially egalitarian views, is an original model of democratic elitism.