- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Political elites - classical and contemporary theories 3500-FAK-ELW-OG
The aim of the lecture is to review classical and contemporary theories of political elites. The theory of elites has evolved from criticizing democracy (classical elitism) to presenting the elite as one of the foundations of democracy (neoelitism). Today, the elite is treated as an important element of the democratic order. It is also an expression of a specific collective experience. The lecture discusses the main theories of the Mosca, Pareto, Michels, Weber, Znamierowski (classical), Schumpeter and Dahl (Neolitism), up to the modern ones: Higley, Pakulski, Etzioni-Halevy. The phenomena related to the emergence and functioning of elites, such as political recruitment, elite-leader power system, revolutionary (Lasswell) and local elites, will also be discussed. The role of the elite factor in democracy will also be discussed: the senate (second chamber), higher administration and the judiciary. Additionally, special topics such as the role of elitism in Poland's political history and women in politics will be discussed. The elites are also subject to attack and criticism (anti-elitist populism and the elite in the eyes of the public - elite conspiracies). The elites also have their own dysfunctions and pathologies (Pakulski, Lasch, Chełpa).
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Has basic knowledge about social structures and selected social institutions, and their interrelations
Is aware of social differentiation and existing social inequalities, as well as their impact on the life of individuals and the functioning of social groups
Has basic knowledge about institutions and organizations responsible for the transfer of norms and rules in society, such as educational, legal, moral and religious systems
Is aware of the processes occurring in Polish and global society and their consequences for social attitudes and institutions
Is aware of the consequences of choosing a particular theoretical perspective
Can interpret past and present social events (political, cultural, and economic) using sociological concepts and theories
Can use basic sociological terms and categories to analyze societies, particularly contemporary Polish society
Can use basic theoretical categories to describe social changes in modern societies
Can comprehend a scientific text and identify its main theses and the author’s arguments, as well as discuss them
Can critically assess sources
Assessment criteria
Written exam
Bibliography
1. Żyromski M., Teorie elit a systemy polityczne, 2008
2. Schumpeter J., Kapitalizm, socjalizm, demokracja, 1995
3. Sartori G., Teoria demokracji, 1994
4. Znamierowski C., Elita, ustrój, demokracja, 2001
5. Dahl R., Demokracja i jej krytycy, 1995
6. Lasch C., Bunt elit, 1997
7. Wasilewski J., Demokratyczny elityzm, Studia socjologiczne, nr. 3/2020, s. 5-30.
8. Siemieńska R., Płeć, wybory, władza, 2005
9. Maranowski A., Autonomia elit prawnych III RP, mps.
10. Bartkowski J., Lokalne elity władzy w Polsce w latach 1966-1995, 1997
11. Etzioni-Halevy Eva, Władza w demokracji: teoria elit demokratycznych, 2005
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: