By Alexander Perepechko
Published on April 16, 2012
Elections and political equality in a modern state facilitate access to membership in the ruling class to people with specialized knowledge and a scientific education. However, Mosca observed that hereditary mechanisms obstructed the access of intellectually superior individuals to elites. All things being equal, candidates who have political influence (often hereditary) and candidates whose leadership qualities were formed in the milieu of wealth, social and residential segregation and in their particular upbringing are successful in democratic elections.
At the same time, when the infrastructure of elites and the infrastructure of the masses become disconnected, these elites lose the support of ordinary citizens (Mosca, 1939: 111-113). Life in an exclusive infrastructure is to a significant extent accountable for the ignorance of the ruling class. Elites endure and permit practices that can ruin the rulers and the ruled. For example, rulers increasingly turn elections from a tool of representation into a tool by which certain political forces are enabled to control and limit the activity of other political forces (Democrats vs. Republicans, open system elites vs. closed system elites, etc.).
Unable to join the highest stratum in the ruling class using electoral procedures, many ambitious individuals join federal, state, local or corporate bureaucracies, a second stratum in the ruling class. Mosca (1939: 408) noted that an intelligent person devotes only a part of his activity and talent to his office, and often it is not the best part. In search of a cure for social ills, this public servant frequently turns to radical doctrines, myths and beliefs and seeks to use the state apparatus to put these ideas into practice. Consequently, in some cases intelligence and professionalism can be converted into an anti-systemic force (Schedler, 1996).
Decline of the representative system becomes more noticeable with rampant growth of bureaucratic organizations (Mosca, 1939: 143, 152). Social stratification becomes rigid and social mobility slows down or even stops. Due to huge number of offices and contracts for public works, bureaucratic and elective bodies absorb and distribute great amounts of wealth. Public administration has significant control over independent activities and initiatives. To control the electoral process, politicians develop “machines” and other technologies.
According to Mosca (1939: 154), only candidates championed by organized minorities can win elections. Groups, committees and organizations have the will and the moral, material and intellectual means to force each voter to limit his choice to several selected candidates. In America, friends and neighbors play a significant role in the selection procedure and a single caucus or electoral committee decides the fate of nominees.
Mosca, G. (1939) The Ruling Class (Elementi di Scienza Politica). New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Schedler, A. (1996) Anti-Political-Establishment Parties. Party Politics. Vol. 2, No. 3: 291-312.