Donald Trump or Bill Gates
Select an elite figure from any of Dye’s key sectors of
power. Utilizing a minimum of three sources, write a paper that addresses the following
points:
Dye’s key sectors of power are: a) industrial (nonfinancial)
corporations, b) banking, c)insurance, d) investments, e) mass media, f) law,
g) education, h) foundations, i) civic and cultural organizations, and j)
government
I would like to use Donald Trump or Bill Gates – PLEASE
WRITE ON ONE OR THE OTHER, NOT BOTH
i. What is the basis of the selected figure’s power? Is it
derived from wealth, influence over information distribution, immediate access
to policymakers, or any combination of the above?
ii. What strategies does the selected elite figure use to
maintain status and influence? Networking with other elites, business
practices, direct political participation?
iii. Provide specific examples of how the selected elite
figure has influenced public policy. What were the obstacles? How were they
overcome?
iv. Does your selected elite figure provide an apt example
of social mobility? Is the individual a self-made mogul, or was his or her
power largely inherited?
v. Do the activities of the elite you selected support how
elitist theorists explain wealth and power in America?
vi. Assess whether or not the power wielded by the selected
elite figure positively or negatively represents your interests.
