Final answer:
Political elites commonly claim to uphold the values of liberty, equality, peace, and tradition. These ideals are important in democratic systems and conservative ideologies, however, elite theory suggests that, despite these claimed values, elites may still prioritize their power and status.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Four Main Values Political Elites Claim to Uphold
The question about the values political elites claim to uphold is related to understanding different ideologies and their associated values. In the political realm, the four main values often upheld by elites include liberty, equality, peace, and tradition. Liberty and equality form the foundation of many democratic political systems, promoting individual freedom while maintaining social order. Peace is often justified by conservative elements as a key value bringing stability within and between nations, whereas tradition secures one's belief in maintaining practices that have stood the test of time and supported the status quo.
Elite theory, supported by sociologists such as C. Wright Mills, holds that a small group of educated and wealthy individuals have a disproportionate influence over public policy. These elites claim that they are better suited to govern and justify their power through ideas of merit and superiority over ordinary citizens. While they maintain that their governance upholds common values, it often serves to reinforce their own power and status.
In summary, despite the claimed adherence to these values, the implication is that, in practice, elites may prioritize these values differently to maintain their own positions of power. Understanding these values as claimed by political elites provides insight into their actions and the political climate they foster.