Congressional Black Caucus

HYPOTHESIS: It Is hypothesized that the effectiveness of CBC is limited because it is perceived as a manifestation of interest group politics, as opposed to a competing political elite.

THEORY: This examination is based in eliteplural political theory. The elite pluralist model recognizes the presence in society of elites, and posits that classical democracy, as that ideal is embraced in the concept of pluralism, does not exist. The elite pluralist model, however, holds that democratic values are preserved through a system of multiple, competing elites. Within the concept of the elite pluralist model, competing elites determine public policy through bargaining and compromise, while the voting rights of the masses enable new elites to gain a share of the power within the social and political systems. Elite theory holds that an elite is comprised of a relatively few people within a society who have and exercise power within that social system. By contrast, the masses are the many people who cannot wield power within a social system.

CONCEPTS: A concept that is relevant to an examination of the effectiveness of the CBC is the Self Interest Model. The self interest model posits that particular legislation and pol

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ation, and economic parity for Black Americans. Other issues in this category include the Family Medical Leave Act, grants to minority students to study science, foreign aid to African and Caribbean countries, and rural hospital development. The CBC support of the Family Medical Leave Act did not lead to the enactment of the legislation. Similarly, legislation to provide grants to minority students to study science, foreign aid to African and Caribbean countries, and funds for rural hospital development has not been enacted. Slavery reparations and ancestral preservation legislation likely will not be enacted by the Congress during the lifetimes of any of the current CBC members. Statehood for the District of Columbia, the recognition of the politics of crime, dealing with the concept of environmental racism, and seeking economic parity through an equality of outcomes in employment and education regardless of competence are all contentious issues that will not likely be resolved to the satisfaction of the CBC in the near future. Health care reform and the problem of AIDS among Black youths are issues that are receiving increased attention from the Clinton Administration. The CBC should be able to have a positive impact
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Approximate Word count = 4378
Approximate Pages = 18 (250 words per page)

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