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Elitism versus Populism

Elitism versus Populism

Elitism versus Populism

Experiments on the Dual Threat to American Democracy
Author:
Curtis Bram, University of Texas, Dallas
Published:
June 2025
Availability:
Available
Format:
Hardback
ISBN:
9781009546935

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    Critics of populism and advocates of elitist democracy often place greater confidence in political elites than in the general public. However, this trust may be misplaced. In five experiments with local politicians, state legislators, and members of the public, the author finds a similar willingness across all groups to entrench their party's power when given the opportunity – a self-serving majoritarianism that transcends partisan lines. This tendency is strongest among committed ideologues, politicians running in highly competitive districts, and those who perceive opponents as especially threatening. Local elected officials even appear more focused on securing their party's next presidential victory than on opposing bans against their political rivals. These findings challenge the conventional mass/elite dichotomy, revealing little differences in undemocratic attitudes. Safeguarding democracy likely requires shifting focus from those individual attitudes to strengthening institutional restraints against majority abuses. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

    Product details

    June 2025
    Hardback
    9781009546935
    74 pages
    229 × 152 × 6 mm
    0.233kg
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • 1. 'Use My Words against Me'
    • 2. Democratic Elitism versus Populism
    • 3. Elites are not more principled than the public
    • 4. How ideology, electoral competition, and perceived threat undermine politicians' principles
    • 5. Acquiescence to authoritarian policies
    • 6. Democrats and Republicans dislike each other, but are equally self-serving
    • 7. 'How did that happen?'
    • References.
    Resources for
    Type
    Appendix
    Size: 10.51 MB
    Type: application/pdf
      Author
    • Curtis Bram , University of Texas, Dallas