Final answer:
The statement that democracies require elite leaders according to Marx is false. Marx critiqued the control of elites in capitalist societies, while democracy ideally empowers the masses. Elite theory, however, supports the idea that in practice, a small group of elites, or power elite, control government and society.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Marx, the assertion that democracies require elite leaders - politicians and bureaucrats who were trained in the business of government is false. Marx's ideas were more closely aligned with a critique of capitalist societies where a small group of elites hold the power rather than a democratic ideal. In a democracy, the power is supposed to rest in the hands of the people. However, elite theory, as described by C. Wright Mills and G. William Domhoff, aligns with the idea that a small group, often referred to as the power elite, maintain control over society, including governments, irrespective of the political system's democratic facade.
The distinction between a representative democracy and a direct democracy is significant. In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf, which is often criticized for not being a 'true democracy' because of the lack of direct involvement by citizens in decision-making. In contrast, in a direct democracy, people have the opportunity to participate directly in the governance process.
As for the form of government where a small group of elite hold political power, this can be described as an oligarchy, which might often masquerade as a democracy, but in practice, power is concentrated in the hands of a few. Notably, this critique can be applied to modern nations that are proclaimed democracies, but where the influence of the wealthy elite shapes policy in their favor, as highlighted by both Paul Krugman and Jeffrey A. Winters.