Pluralism works in the way that groups and coalitions are constantly fighting for power within the government to fit their agendas and the people they are vying for. This can be seen with the bike rack debate that has been presented in Sierra Vista’s city council. The special interest group is offering an award of being a bike friendly city to Sierra Vista in hopes of making people healthier, however public opinion support of the bike racks has been dismal at best. This is a local example but the NRA is an example of a larger special interest group where a lot more wealth comes into play as in a biased pluralism only adding fuel to the ruling elite…
A pluralist government is much like the opposite of the elitist government. In a pluralist government the power of decision making and policy making are based more on the wants and needs of many rather than just a few. It is said to be a government of the people, by the people, for the people.Everyones views are valued regardless of ones position in society. This is similar to the type of government we have…
It is much easier to contrast the four contemporary theories of American democracy than to compare them, as pluralist, hyperpluralist, elite and class, and traditional theory each highlights the competitive foundation of politics. Each contemporary theory investigates the underlying question "Who governs our nation" yielding significantly different conclusions. While the pluralist theory emphasizes that politics is merely a competition among groups - a competition overwhelmingly controlled by the wealthy according to elite and class theory - hyperpluralism contends that these groups weaken the political backbone rather than support it. Pluralism and hyperpluralism are similar in that both agree that groups indelibly impact society and therefore the government by pressing their concerns through organized efforts, however they differ as to whether the impact is positive or negative, respectively. Hyperpluralism also contrasts with elite and class theory stating that many groups - not just the elite ones - are so strong that the government is unable to act. It asserts that there are too many ways for groups to control policy, regardless of their organization, topic, or funding. Traditional democratic theory is composed of key principles that an ideal democratic process should consist of: voting must be representative, a population must participate, civic understanding, citizen control of agenda, and inclusion. The majority rule - in which the will of over half the voters is followed - guarantees equality, control, and inclusion, guaranteeing rights to those subject to the laws that follow the policy making process. A key aspect to the theory is equal representation from each citizen, which under hyperpluralist and elite and class theory is thought of as endangered or nullified by the power of groups and the wealthy, respectively. Pluralism suggests that democratic theory is successful because…
Pluralist democracy works with numerous organised groups who all have some political power in the decision-making setting. It assumes that it’s ‘neutral’ government who listens to, and acts on the outcomes of these competing interests. Thus the large number and operation of pressure groups is considered to be a vital element in the promotion of pluralist democracy.…
1. Which of the following is NOT an element of the pluralist group theory of politics?…
Pluralism: idea that citizens should be informed and should participate in democratic decision making to ensure the health and vitality of the system…
Dye and Zeigler’s Elite Theory claims that representative democracy is not really based on the will of the people, but a small elite class that governs the masses. “Only one branch of the new government, the House of Representatives, was to be elected by popular vote. The other three controlling bodies-the president, the Senate, and the Supreme Court–were removed from direct voter participation” (2009). According to Dye and Zeigler none of the delegates showed any enthusiasm for mass participation in democracy. The two chamber split appears to support Dye and Zeigler’s argument on Elite Theory…
A group of people with shared feelings or attitudes that try to influence government policy making. Pluralism leads to interest groups.…
In the United States there are many different power relations. Many people argue that one of these political theories are better than the other one. In politics political participation, political institutions and public policy is a big part in politics. The political theories that are presented are Pluralism, State Autonomy, Elite Theory, Marxism, and Class Domination. Pluralism Theory is a center of how power is distributed between many groups. In State Autonomy there are two clear opposition sides between the states and they act in their own interests. Elite Theory is the theory of the states who describe the power relationships in the economy. Marxism Theory is the transition from capitalist to socialism. Class Domination…
Significantly, the U.S Constitution established a new legal system in the United States with new fundamental laws and a national government in order for the country to remain stable. The document guaranteed certain basic rights for Americans as it was signed by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in September 17, 1787. In particular, the Founding Fathers wanted a Republic U.S. government instead of a democracy for the federal and state governments. The seven figures chose this because they believe in preserving a stable government that protects the rights and liberties of all citizens. To point out, keeping a republic secure the rights to individuals and the government is constitutionally or legally limited. The Founding Father believed in a republic because even if sovereign power is held by the people, there is still a limit to that capability.…
Interest groups are a key aspect of American politics in the world today. An interest group is an organization of people with shared policy goals that enter the policy making process at several points to try and influence the policy. The development of interest groups has led to the creation of three theories used to describe them: pluralism, hyperpluralism, and elitism. Pluralism states that interest groups bring representation to all the people. Elitism is when there is an unbalance of power towards certain interest groups. Hyperpluralism states that the government is differential to interests groups and creates conflicting regulations. Hyperpluralists believe that iron triangles greatly influence the policy. Iron triangles are known…
Introduction: To analyse the compatibility of democracy with elitism it is first important to define both the terms democracy and elitism. Democracy is in its simplest form is the rule for the people by politicians etc, and elitism is most simply known as ‘a class that rules and a class that is ruled’. This therefore opens up the question, do those in higher positions effectively rule those lower down, democracy within elitism, and the effects if elitism was not around. ‘a minority which monopolises the effective exercise of power’. P69, schwarzmantel.…
-According to the pluralist theory of American democracy, politics is a contest among various. Interest groups…
10. Pluralist Theory - An analysis of politics emphasizing the role of diverse and competing interest groups in preventing too much power being accumulated in the hands of political and economic elites.…
The pluralist view the state as a mechanism that represents the interests of every member of the state. The pluralist theory goes a step further stating that no certain powers control the social contract as everyone has an equal state in it. The elitist on the other stress material power. Meaning that those who have the most resources should be more successful, have a higher mental capacity, and be rightful rulers, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten into their possession. Both elitist and pluralist agree that interest groups have the ability to participate in the U.S. political system. However, this is only their extent in similarity. Pluralism as Steven Luke's mentions could be portrayed by the one dimensional system in its view of power,…