Elite-rule theories recast class conflict as non-public elite bargaining

Evidence

Theories of élite rule within democracy would then replace the awareness of class conflict with a model of a relativized form of the bourgeois public sphere. According to these theories, representatives chosen by the masses would seek agreement by the masses to compromises reached through non-public negotiations, in order to achieve re-election. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 2374

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the model of ‘relativized bourgeois public sphere’ offered by elite-democracy theories: mass assent to non-public elite compromises.
• XREF: connects to: Modern economics replaced the class-conflict lens of classical political economy with individualist harmony — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 30; Conflict situations are essentially bargaining situations — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 21; Pollock’s state capitalism theory erased class antagonisms in favor of purely political rulers — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 599 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Class struggle offers a viewpoint immune to systemic self-regulation’s allure #qualifies (0.80) — Jean-François Lyotard, The Postmodern Condition, 153
• Pollock’s state capitalism theory erased class antagonisms in favor of purely political rulers #corroborates (0.78) — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 599
• Conflict situations are essentially bargaining situations #expands (0.75) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 21
• Modern economics replaced the class-conflict lens of classical political economy with individualist harmony #qualifies (0.72) — Clara E. Mattei, Escape from Capitalism, 30