Pluralism

Question 1

What is the pluralist view of power?

Answer 1

Power is diffused amongst citizens of the state in Liberal Democracies.

Question 2

What do Pluralists think of the state?

Answer 2

• The state is an “honest broker”.

- It is neutral, with the opinions of each interest group and party involved able to effect a will on the decision.

Question 3

what do Pluralists think of Democracy?

Answer 3

• Democracies, especially in the Western World are by far the most fair and advanced systems devised.
• The citizens of the state will have differences of opinion on organising society.
• These views can be expressed via interest groups and parties.
• Parties must represent a variety of interests to win; if they fail to do so they will be replaced by a party that does achieve this.

Question 4

Example of Robert Dahl’s study

Answer 4

• 1961; Robert Dahl conducted a study in New Haven, examining 3 politicaal issues.
• He found that the politically privileged and economically powerful did exert greater power than citizens
• They were not able to dominate the process, and the outcome was a decision compromising the aims of all groups involved.

Question 5

Example of B1 Bomber

Answer 5

-In the 1970s, the costs of development for this plane rose in the US, a National Campaign Against the B1 was established that lobbied against funding the plane.

-Here we see 2 competing groups;
>NCAB1 which relied on the resources of grass roots activism+campaigning
>The Rockwell/Pentagon coalition that spent its wealth to lobby politicians.

-2 years later Jimmy Carter cancelled the project after becoming president, and cited the NCAB1 as a major influence.

Question 6

Example of EU referendum

Answer 6

• The EU referendum: In 2016, a referendum on membership of the EU was taken in the UK which saw the Leave side win with 52% of the vote.
• The Remain side was overwhelmingly backed by “the elite”; figures from industry (Richard Branson, Alan Sugar) and politics (David Cameron, Barack Obama) all supported remain
• Something as vital as the EU to the existence of the elite is not something that would be considered for a “façade concession”; the only explanation here is that pluralism works.

Question 7

Example of Grant and Marsh study

Answer 7

• a study by Grant and Marsh found that the CBI had “little consistent” influence on government in the UK.
• They found that the TUC had about as much power as CBI.