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Elitism and Institutional Power

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Submitted By Derjarca
Words 687
Pages 3
Running Head: Elitism and Institutional Power Play

University of Phoenix
Arnella Trent
Pol / 443
July 23, 2008 WORD COUNT (646)

The Washington Post is the most read paper in the Washington Metropolitan area. The paper is a voice in the City which has a significant level of power that shapes public opinion and attitudes. The attitudes are form during, and after reading a topic which can have a range which includes sports, metro, style, business and the obituaries. Katherine Graham was once known as the most powerful woman in America. She was the daughter of bank owner, Eugene Meyer who purchase the Washington Post in 1933 for $1 Million dollars. Katherine worked at the Washington Post during her summers learning to be a reporter, until she joined the editorial staff of the Post. In 1940, she married Philip L. Graham and during the course of their marriage Katherine’s father sold the paper to the Grahams for one dollar. Under the tenure of Mr. Graham the Washington Post purchase other competitive newspaper companies. In 1963 Mr. Graham committed suicide and Katherine took over the reigns of the Washington post. The Washington post paper cost only .50 cents and generates revenues for each newspaper anywhere from $5000 to $7000 for each paper from the advertisements which include the obituaries, employment section and store advertisements. The basis for Katherine Graham’s power was being the CEO of the Washington Post, which some considered the most powerful information sources in the United States.

“Kay Graham manages to overcome many of her life's obstacles -- and privileges -- to become a powerful and effective leader. She doesn't always make sound choices; she clings to her corrosive and philandering husband through thick and thin, and she overturns her Republican father's desire to create an unbiased-newspaper by making The Post a mouthpiece for the Democrats. But it is her mistakes that make Graham most interesting and accessible to readers.” ( Serenaaah "serenaaah")

The Washington Post can print a story on the Washington Redskins playing the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon and the Redskins lose the game to Dallas. The attitude in the Washington Metropolitan area is a feeling disappointment which is reflected by a great deal of fans. The fans that are frustrated by the loss to the Dallas Cowboys will seek out a motorist and take their frustrations out on the individual in the form of road rage. The Washington Post can have a story in the paper which shares information on a free concert in the city, and a great deal of Washington residents will ascend to the location to be a part of the event advertised in the newspaper. The Strategies which Katherine used to maintain the status and influence were to buy Newsweek magazine and five television networks and several pulp and paper companies, these purchases over time has proven to be very solid. Katherine used the Washington post to run reports on the Watergate and keeping the story in the newspaper. The Washington Post would printed reports on Watergate and kept the topic in the newspapers, while other major newspapers reported on other issues. The Washington Post influenced public policy by keeping the stories in the newspaper, to produce the effect and outcome which led to the resignation of then President Richard Nixon. Katherine Graham social mobility was forged during her time working as a reporter, and solidified when she became the CEO of the Washington Post. Katherine Graham was not a self-made mogul, because her power which was largely inherited by birthright. The wealth and power explained by elitist theorists are supported by the legacy and status which was attained by Katherine Graham as the owner of the Washington Post. Katherine Graham figures positively by the selected elite and represent my interest in reading the Washington Post newspaper.

In Conclusion, this paper has covered the selected figure’s power; the strategies use to maintain status and influence. It also provide a specific example how the selected influenced public policy. (Serenaaah "serenaaah")

Reference:
Retrieved on July 23, 2008 from http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0375701044?filterBy=addThreeStar ( Pg.2, 3)

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