Three Features of Pluralist Theory
Polyarchy:
Rule by the many.
Power is dispersed widely + evenly throughout society among a variety of groups.
Different agencies compete on level playing field – exert influence upon decision makers.
The gov, political parties, pressure groups, big business, electorate, media +courts – enjoy degree
of success of influence at some point.
Pluralists believe in ‘minorities rule’ not ‘minority rule’ as elitists do.
John Dewey 1859-1952 wrote about Participatory Ethic – active involvement helps develop
reflective + ethical powers.
Provides range of agencies appeal protecting one groups interests + rights.
Pluralists – proliferation of various types of pressure groups + increase in size of membership.
Decentralisation of power in democratic societies + devolved governments.
Referendum May 2011 – Westminster elections First Past the Post or Alternative Vote system +
Scottish referendum.
Pluralists argue willingness -major decisions to electorate rather than solely by ruling elite.
Pluralists – democracy is reality + not a façade as Elitists + Marxists believe.
Government acts as a neutral arbiter/honest broker/umpire:
Gov. approach major decision – no pre-determined agenda but willing to listen to all sides
impartially before making a decision.
Decision based on bargaining + compromise – serve greater good of society.
Government shares ‘norms + objectives’ + therefore act on behalf of people + not themselves
or monied interests.
2010 Belfast City Council pleased NIMBY pressure groups ‘Belfast City Airport Watch refusing to
grant permission to extend runway by Michael O’Leary’s (Ryan Air) request.
He then pulled his airline – losing council + central gov. revenues.
Pluralists argue proves big business does not dictate to gov. all the time.
Well organised resident groups - pressure politicians to insist upon JR.
Robert A. Dahl 1915 - Who Governs? 1963 concludes no one single group dominated decision
making + economic factors was one of empirical studies.
Lead him to conclude system of competitive elections prevents permanent elite from emerging
+ ensures wide, if imperfect to political process.
Dahl concludes - USA polyarchy existed. is 'rule by the many'.
Vertical divisions in society are more important than horizontal ones:
Pluralists don't deny existence of class or division based on age, gender, religion or ethnicity.
They do deny any single division dominates any individuals wishes or actions.
Pluralists think that Elitists + Marxists wrong to place so much emphasis on divisions based on
socio-economic backgrounds.
Pluralist view - each individual large number of different interests.
Male manual workers might not me working class, he might also be a car owner, mortgage
payer, avid reader of library books, church goer + father 2 children in HE.
Same said school teacher or High Court Judge differing social class + wealth.
Pluralists, think Elitists wrong to base theories on political power on horizontal divisions -
somewhat outdated + over simplistic.
Polyarchy:
Rule by the many.
Power is dispersed widely + evenly throughout society among a variety of groups.
Different agencies compete on level playing field – exert influence upon decision makers.
The gov, political parties, pressure groups, big business, electorate, media +courts – enjoy degree
of success of influence at some point.
Pluralists believe in ‘minorities rule’ not ‘minority rule’ as elitists do.
John Dewey 1859-1952 wrote about Participatory Ethic – active involvement helps develop
reflective + ethical powers.
Provides range of agencies appeal protecting one groups interests + rights.
Pluralists – proliferation of various types of pressure groups + increase in size of membership.
Decentralisation of power in democratic societies + devolved governments.
Referendum May 2011 – Westminster elections First Past the Post or Alternative Vote system +
Scottish referendum.
Pluralists argue willingness -major decisions to electorate rather than solely by ruling elite.
Pluralists – democracy is reality + not a façade as Elitists + Marxists believe.
Government acts as a neutral arbiter/honest broker/umpire:
Gov. approach major decision – no pre-determined agenda but willing to listen to all sides
impartially before making a decision.
Decision based on bargaining + compromise – serve greater good of society.
Government shares ‘norms + objectives’ + therefore act on behalf of people + not themselves
or monied interests.
2010 Belfast City Council pleased NIMBY pressure groups ‘Belfast City Airport Watch refusing to
grant permission to extend runway by Michael O’Leary’s (Ryan Air) request.
He then pulled his airline – losing council + central gov. revenues.
Pluralists argue proves big business does not dictate to gov. all the time.
Well organised resident groups - pressure politicians to insist upon JR.
Robert A. Dahl 1915 - Who Governs? 1963 concludes no one single group dominated decision
making + economic factors was one of empirical studies.
Lead him to conclude system of competitive elections prevents permanent elite from emerging
+ ensures wide, if imperfect to political process.
Dahl concludes - USA polyarchy existed. is 'rule by the many'.
Vertical divisions in society are more important than horizontal ones:
Pluralists don't deny existence of class or division based on age, gender, religion or ethnicity.
They do deny any single division dominates any individuals wishes or actions.
Pluralists think that Elitists + Marxists wrong to place so much emphasis on divisions based on
socio-economic backgrounds.
Pluralist view - each individual large number of different interests.
Male manual workers might not me working class, he might also be a car owner, mortgage
payer, avid reader of library books, church goer + father 2 children in HE.
Same said school teacher or High Court Judge differing social class + wealth.
Pluralists, think Elitists wrong to base theories on political power on horizontal divisions -
somewhat outdated + over simplistic.
