Political Power - Pluralism
Para Key Points Key Points
1 – What Level playing field + different groups compete with each Rather each group – experience degree of
do other – influence over gov. influence on gov. policy.
pluralists Gov. Western democracies – ‘honest brokers’ who act Power – dispersed evenly. (Quote A).
say? as ‘neutral arbiters’ or ‘Umpires’. ‘Rule by the many’ not ‘rule by the few’.
They will listen impartially + having listened to all parties Gov. of day – only remain in power if seen to
– act in best interests of society or for ‘greater good’. reflecting wishes + interests of a majority of
No single group or sectional interest gets it way all the electorate.
time/constantly dominates. Safeguards individual, individual alone hope to
have little impact on gov.
2 - What do Part of group = increased strength politically + gov. Specific fixed amount of power exists.
pluralists considering wants is enhanced. The gov. mediates, negotiates, bargains + tries to
say? Organised groups = legitimate channels of compromise – ensure variety of groups – ‘slice of
communication. the power pie’ without anyone going hungry or
Modern mass industrial societies make it impossible for feeding on crumbs.
individuals to have direct political role – only practical Acknowledge existence of divisions – class, age,
democratic alternative. gender, religion, + ethnicity – deny individuals
Groups to act effectively – complete freedom of access wishes completely dictated by any single division.
+ other basic freedoms. Individual - several interests covered by several
Able freely express themselves + organises – freedom of groups e.g. solicitor – professional interest by Law
speech, assembly + association are central features. Society, animal welfare – RSPCA + car owner –
Follow Weber – accept constant sum concept. Automobile Association.
3– Extension vote universal suffrage women, ethnic Hardly – token gestures to keep masses quiet.
Evidence to minorities, poor + young – now participants in political Have had real impact on quality of life.
support process. Advances employment laws - regulating working
theory? Election fraud – normally detected as elections – conditions, hours + minimal wage.
vigorously monitored. Opposed by big business reduced profits.
Ensure – open, free + fair elections with one person = Enforced by gov. regardless of protests.
one vote. (Quote C). Parties - mass membership = more democratic,
PR ensures gov. hears voices of minorities. representative, accountable, transparent +
Referendums – key issues + demonstrates those in accessible.
power allow direct form of democracy e.g. AV vote Growth pressure group membership + interest
system + Scottish Referendum. diversity - increased participation + greater
Extension – Welfare State after WW2 – NHS, influence levels. (Quote B).
unemployment benefit, DLA, single mothers benefit,
council housing, family tax credit + universal education.
4- Many groups compete - but not on level playing field. Degree of competition. May be spread across
Criticisms Major interest in capitalist society esp. big business - large number but no guarantee groups will
have resources to win. compete.
Everyone take part - winner nearly the same competitor Opposition develops groups recognise each
or group of competitors. other's areas of interest + accept mutual benefit
Critics - inevitable gov. side with most powerful avoiding 'trespass' + resultant competition.
interests in capitalist society. Underestimate secrecy - decision making process.
Relationship between gov. + powerful interest Radical theorists - Bachrach, Baratz + Steven
developed - corporatism. Lukes - pluralists = too optimistic gov. +
Means organised groups - esp. economic interests = bureaucracies overly secretive + varied
institutionalise + integrated part of politics. techniques:
Special privileged access e.g. CBI - 11 downing street Disclosure notices. cabinet secrecy, 30yr rule on
once a week. disclosure, agenda setting.
5- Underestimate hidden powers of wealth elitists e.g. Argues politicians, big business + military leaders
Criticisms MNC's + share holding dynasties. - 'pivotal positions' - USA + relationship mutually
Underestimate importance secrecy + hidden agendas. beneficial.
Also, pervasive nature psychological factors -dominant Use mass media direct public interests away -
ideology thesis, deference, need to conform, respect for concentrate on personal world.
authority + religious practices. Marxists criticise pluralist definition of power +
Marxists + radical elite - C.Wright Mills 1956 - business methods of determining distribution of power.
interest most powerful.
Para Key Points Key Points
1 – What Level playing field + different groups compete with each Rather each group – experience degree of
do other – influence over gov. influence on gov. policy.
pluralists Gov. Western democracies – ‘honest brokers’ who act Power – dispersed evenly. (Quote A).
say? as ‘neutral arbiters’ or ‘Umpires’. ‘Rule by the many’ not ‘rule by the few’.
They will listen impartially + having listened to all parties Gov. of day – only remain in power if seen to
– act in best interests of society or for ‘greater good’. reflecting wishes + interests of a majority of
No single group or sectional interest gets it way all the electorate.
time/constantly dominates. Safeguards individual, individual alone hope to
have little impact on gov.
2 - What do Part of group = increased strength politically + gov. Specific fixed amount of power exists.
pluralists considering wants is enhanced. The gov. mediates, negotiates, bargains + tries to
say? Organised groups = legitimate channels of compromise – ensure variety of groups – ‘slice of
communication. the power pie’ without anyone going hungry or
Modern mass industrial societies make it impossible for feeding on crumbs.
individuals to have direct political role – only practical Acknowledge existence of divisions – class, age,
democratic alternative. gender, religion, + ethnicity – deny individuals
Groups to act effectively – complete freedom of access wishes completely dictated by any single division.
+ other basic freedoms. Individual - several interests covered by several
Able freely express themselves + organises – freedom of groups e.g. solicitor – professional interest by Law
speech, assembly + association are central features. Society, animal welfare – RSPCA + car owner –
Follow Weber – accept constant sum concept. Automobile Association.
3– Extension vote universal suffrage women, ethnic Hardly – token gestures to keep masses quiet.
Evidence to minorities, poor + young – now participants in political Have had real impact on quality of life.
support process. Advances employment laws - regulating working
theory? Election fraud – normally detected as elections – conditions, hours + minimal wage.
vigorously monitored. Opposed by big business reduced profits.
Ensure – open, free + fair elections with one person = Enforced by gov. regardless of protests.
one vote. (Quote C). Parties - mass membership = more democratic,
PR ensures gov. hears voices of minorities. representative, accountable, transparent +
Referendums – key issues + demonstrates those in accessible.
power allow direct form of democracy e.g. AV vote Growth pressure group membership + interest
system + Scottish Referendum. diversity - increased participation + greater
Extension – Welfare State after WW2 – NHS, influence levels. (Quote B).
unemployment benefit, DLA, single mothers benefit,
council housing, family tax credit + universal education.
4- Many groups compete - but not on level playing field. Degree of competition. May be spread across
Criticisms Major interest in capitalist society esp. big business - large number but no guarantee groups will
have resources to win. compete.
Everyone take part - winner nearly the same competitor Opposition develops groups recognise each
or group of competitors. other's areas of interest + accept mutual benefit
Critics - inevitable gov. side with most powerful avoiding 'trespass' + resultant competition.
interests in capitalist society. Underestimate secrecy - decision making process.
Relationship between gov. + powerful interest Radical theorists - Bachrach, Baratz + Steven
developed - corporatism. Lukes - pluralists = too optimistic gov. +
Means organised groups - esp. economic interests = bureaucracies overly secretive + varied
institutionalise + integrated part of politics. techniques:
Special privileged access e.g. CBI - 11 downing street Disclosure notices. cabinet secrecy, 30yr rule on
once a week. disclosure, agenda setting.
5- Underestimate hidden powers of wealth elitists e.g. Argues politicians, big business + military leaders
Criticisms MNC's + share holding dynasties. - 'pivotal positions' - USA + relationship mutually
Underestimate importance secrecy + hidden agendas. beneficial.
Also, pervasive nature psychological factors -dominant Use mass media direct public interests away -
ideology thesis, deference, need to conform, respect for concentrate on personal world.
authority + religious practices. Marxists criticise pluralist definition of power +
Marxists + radical elite - C.Wright Mills 1956 - business methods of determining distribution of power.
interest most powerful.
