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The 'political theory of pluralism' holds that political power in society does not lie with the electorate but is distributed between a wide number of groups. These groups may be Trade Unions, interest groups, business organisations, and any of a multitude of formal and informal coalitions.^[1]

Contents

Classical Pluralism

Elite pluralism

Neo-pluralism

Charles Lindblom

Corporatism

See also

Notes

References

Classical Pluralism

The belief that politics and decision making is located mostly in the governmental framework, but many non governmental groups are using their resources to exert influence. Lines of conflict are multiple and shifting. There may be inequalities but they tend to be distributed and even out. Any change under this view will be slow and incremental, as groups have different interests and may act as "veto groups" to destroy legislation that they do not agree with.
Robert A. Dahl wrote the seminal pluralist work, ''Who Governs?''.

Elite pluralism

There were some objections to this model of pluralism. However, Critics argue that groups need a high level of resources and the support of patrons to be able to contend for influence. This observation formed the basis for the theory of elite pluralism. This modified pluralism to take into account elements of elite theory and was advanced by writers such as Elmer Eric Schattschneider who wrote that “The flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent.”^[2]

Neo-pluralism

While Pluralism as a political theory of the state and policy formation gained its most traction during the 1950s and 1960s in America, some scholars argued that the theory was too simplistic (see Connolly (1969) ''The Challenge to Pluralist Theory'') - leading to the formulation of neo-pluralism.

Charles Lindblom

Charles E. Lindblom, who is seen as positing a strong neo-pluralist argument, still attributed primacy to the competition between interest groups in the policy process but recognized the disproportionate influence business interests have in the policy process.

Corporatism

Classical pluralism was criticised as it did not seem to apply to Westminster-style democracies or the European context. This led to the development of corporatist theories. Corporatism is the idea that a few select interest groups are actually (often formally) involved in the policy formulation process, to the exclusion of the myriad other 'interest groups'. For example, Trade Unions and major sectoral business associations are often consulted about (if not the drivers of) specific policies

See also

★ Elite theory

★ New institutionalism

★ Marxism

★ State autonomy theory

Notes

1. Socialstudieshelp.com, Pluralism
2. Schattschneider, E.E. 1960. ''The Semi-Sovereign People''. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, p. 35.

References

★ Socialstudieshelp.com, Pluralism. Accessed 13 February, 2007.

★ Schattschneider, E.E. (1960) ''The Semi-Sovereign People''. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

★ Gad Barzilai (2003) ''Communities and Law: Politics and Cultures of Legal Identities.'' Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.