Elitism in Australia
Introduction to Political Science
Research Essay
What does Elite Theory reveal about the Enterprise Migration Agreements for large mining companies? What are the strengths and limitations of this theory in relation to this particular case study?
It is questionable and difficult to prove whether a group of elites in a society exists. All that can really be done is to study the actions of powerful figures and assess their consequences on society. However, with the first Enterprise Migration Agreement (EMA) granted for Hancock Prospecting’s Roy Hill project, it is clear that politicians along with mining giants have final say, even after widespread backlash from unions. Therefore, the existence of government and corporate elites in Australia is highly reasonable considering Elite Theory and the decisions made surrounding the EMA. This essay will apply Elite theory (classical and Australian) to the decisions made leading up to granting the EMA for Roy Hill and assess that aftermath of the decision which will ultimately support the argument of an existing government and corporate elite in Australia. Furthermore, the strengths and limitations of Elite theory will be recognized after an analysis of the argument mentioned above.
The key researchers in Elitism have often differed in the definition of elites, however the main concepts overlap between these researchers and can be applied to EMAs for mining companies. C. Wright Mills defines elites as “men whose positions enable them to transcend the ordinary environments of ordinary men and women; they are in positions to make decisions having major consequences” (Mills 1959). Gaetano Mosca shares this idea by arguing there are two classes in every society “the rulers and the ruled”. The rulers are the elites, and the ruled are the masses. The elites control economic, social and political power while the masses, which Mosca describes as having the “minds of children”, are excluded, easily manipulated and perceived as
Research Essay
What does Elite Theory reveal about the Enterprise Migration Agreements for large mining companies? What are the strengths and limitations of this theory in relation to this particular case study?
It is questionable and difficult to prove whether a group of elites in a society exists. All that can really be done is to study the actions of powerful figures and assess their consequences on society. However, with the first Enterprise Migration Agreement (EMA) granted for Hancock Prospecting’s Roy Hill project, it is clear that politicians along with mining giants have final say, even after widespread backlash from unions. Therefore, the existence of government and corporate elites in Australia is highly reasonable considering Elite Theory and the decisions made surrounding the EMA. This essay will apply Elite theory (classical and Australian) to the decisions made leading up to granting the EMA for Roy Hill and assess that aftermath of the decision which will ultimately support the argument of an existing government and corporate elite in Australia. Furthermore, the strengths and limitations of Elite theory will be recognized after an analysis of the argument mentioned above.
The key researchers in Elitism have often differed in the definition of elites, however the main concepts overlap between these researchers and can be applied to EMAs for mining companies. C. Wright Mills defines elites as “men whose positions enable them to transcend the ordinary environments of ordinary men and women; they are in positions to make decisions having major consequences” (Mills 1959). Gaetano Mosca shares this idea by arguing there are two classes in every society “the rulers and the ruled”. The rulers are the elites, and the ruled are the masses. The elites control economic, social and political power while the masses, which Mosca describes as having the “minds of children”, are excluded, easily manipulated and perceived as
Bibliography: Pusey, M. 2003. The Experience of Middle Australia: The Dark Side of Economic Reform, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Comments on particular marking criteria: