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special interest groups in american politics.
special interest groups in american politics.
special interest groups in american politics.
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Pluralism and elitism are 2 different theories that are used to explain how power is spread between individuals and groups in society. Pluralism suggests that power is spread amongst different groups in society, and that it is the pushing and pulling between these different groups that explains how decisions are made and how governments are influenced. Powerful pressure/interest groups are a classic example of pluralism because they show how power is divided amongst these different competing groups and not concentrated with one organization. Elitism is the exact opposite of pluralism. In elitist theory power is seen as concentrated amongst a few groups or individuals, including the government. To use the same example as before; elitist theory
The definition of factions according to Madison is: “a number of citizens, whether a majority or minority, who were united and activated "by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community." (conlaw.org) This is arguable and depends largely on the mission, and interests of the individual group. There probably are interest groups that are adverse to the rights of other citizens, however, I don’t believe most of them intend to be. And largely, special interest groups are interested mainly in promoting equality, and the betterment of the lives of those in the minority. The case could be made that special interest groups are adverse to demographics, however, this idea is probably supported by the people who feel threatened by the promotion of equality for the less advantaged. The theory of distributive justice states that diverging from strict equality is acceptable so long as the inequalities in question would make the least advantaged in society materially better off than they would be under strict equality. This I believe is the purpose and goal of most special interest
By establishing this relationship, the interest groups are indirectly helping the executive agencies get their funds and the interest groups gains favorable regulations and contracts from these agencies in exchange. (429) Although some critics argue that interest groups can result to Corruption such as the case with Jack Abramoff (438), Demosclerosis that slows down government functions (439), and Inequality by tilting democracy to the wealthy and powerful since they are the ones who can afford lobbying services (440), I believe that Interest groups are good for democracy. We define democracy as a government in which the people rule and make decisions for themselves, and through interest groups the people are given the chance to be better represented and become actively involve in decision-making. Interest groups represent the people specially the minority, arguably expand the range of perspectives that government officials hear, facilitate a two-way communication between the people and the government by conveying citizen views to government officials and providing information about government activities to the people, encourage
ABSTRACT: This paper examines the general neutrality principle of Rawls’ liberalism and then tests that principle against accommodationist intuitions and sympathies in cases concerning the non-neutral effects of a system of compulsory education on particular social groups.
These pluralistic interest groups are free to operate and lobby in the political arena, fighting against the majority and other competing factions for voice in Congress. With the influence of multiple factions operating throughout the political system, a balance of power is created (Kernell 2000, 429). This is much like the international theory of sovereign states balancing each other’s power to create a political system that focuses on stability, yet is always in a constant flux of power. With this in mind, special interest groups are constantly contending for power by raising money, campaigning, and lobbying in Congress. When a special interest group is threatened by a competing policy, the group will organize efforts to balance, or transcend the power of the competing group.
As human beings, we have a strong desire to be accepted by others. We engage in behavior based on what we assume those around us are engaging. We misinterpret the firsthand information we gain from observing other people’s behavior. People’s behavior sometimes spring from a desire to create an impression that is not a true reflection one’s own beliefs, which may lead to errors in judgment. When a majority of group members privately reject a norm but assume that most others accept it, they are engaging in pluralistic ignorance. (Gilovich, Keltner, Chen & Nisbett, 2013, p. 112) Pluralistic ignorance occurs whenever people act in ways that conflict with their private beliefs because of a concern for the social consequences.
The elite theory is the belief that a select, powerful few make all of the decisions in America. The Americans trust in these elite to make the decisions for them. “It is just that the people are of necessity confused and must, like trusting children, place all the new world of foreign policy and strategy and executive action in the hands of experts” (C. Wright Mills, 78). To prove his elite theory Mills makes the claim that Americans are rather uneducated in the fields of government. We the people require someone above us to run things smoothly while also keeping in mind the public wants and the greater good. Someone that holds more knowledge will make better decisions for America.
Pluralism and Elitism go hand in hand because pluralism argue that interest groups are good for American and Texas democracy. Dominant interest groups in Texas influence many public policies as well as act as an avenue for democratic political participation. Dominant interest groups include the Texas Association of Business (TAB), Texas Medical Association (TMA), Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TARA), National Rifle Association (NRA) and so forth. These interest groups work to influence policymakers and policy implementers. Pluralism is
Elitism is the behavior of a person or group who see them as superior to the rest of the society in being able to do something. In Defense of Elitism by William A. Henry III it was an interesting short story to read. This short story was very eye opening to me because I am living exactly what In Defense of Elitism is talking about I could say many students in community college are as well. When leaving high school everyone is faced with the option of getting a part time job and going to college whether it is a two-year or a four year or, getting a full time job making the best money you can to make a living. The question is what will be worth doing to make your life better in the future. I work a part time job (graveyard)
Social Stratification has a stronger based argument in its description of contemporary Caribbean Social life than Pluralism, however can both be used to analyze aspects of all societies to varying degrees. They are not mutually exclusive, both consensus and dissensus, cohesion and conflict, are present in varying degrees in all societies (van den Berghe 1963; Lenski 1966; Williams 1966; Mitchell 1970). Pluralism, according to Furnival is where different ethnic groups in a society remain separate and distinct except for when they converge or meet in the market place. The market place lacks the distinctive characteristics required for the organic solidarity Durkheim had envisioned, instead involving brutal conflict and exploitation. The norms,
Eck, Diana L. “What is Pluralism?” The Pluralism Project at Harvard University. Harvard University, 2011. Web. 10 Oct. 2011.
In the following, I will focus on and examine John Hicks outlook on religious pluralism. I will make an effort to prove that religious pluralism is not a strong view to advocate. The claim that all the great religions of the world lead to God plays an essential role in this argument. In this paper, I argue against this claim, thereby disagreeing with religious pluralism. First, I explain Hicks’s argument, and the role that religious pluralism plays. Second, I explain Hicks’s defense of this claim. Third, I raise some objections to this defense. I conclude by drawing some broader lessons for the question of what it means to be a pluralist and its relation to religious exclusivism.
Evidence shows that students tend to overestimate the sexual permissiveness of their peers (Barriger, & Velez-Blasini, 2013; Lambert et al., 2003). Similarly, quite often, in regards to the topic of hooking up, individuals engaged in pluralistic ignorance; that is, they attributed much higher perceptions of hookup encounters to their friends and students than to themselves (Hoffman et al., 2014).
Pluralism is essentially a theory in favour of distributing power equally amongst individuals rather than having power remain within the hands of one individual (Heywood, 2003; Schwarzmantel, 1994; Dunleavy and O’Leary, 1987; Crowder, 1994). This theory is predominantly associated with Robert Dahl, who had researched how the state behaves and amongst whom power is exercised in New Haven (Heywood, 2007; Dahl, 1961). However, it has been argued that this theory is too idealistic, and that it is impossible for there to be an equal distribution of power because realistically power is likely to only be exercised by a minority, as in accordance with the elitist view (Heywood, 2007; Schwarzmantel, 1994).
Diversity is a notion, when applied to the majority of circumstances, can create a positive conclusion. The trick to producing a positive outcome is often how the different aspects are brought together. Consider a classic dinner combination peas and carrots, the two colors look appealing and the two flavors comes together as one making a superb side dish. Now consider oil and water, these two substance are not often considered a good combination. Although, this is not always the case; olive oil and vinegar (which is water based) when mixed, come together into a delectable salad dressing. Diversity and inclusion should also apply to humans by bringing people together who are different it can creates a whole that is enhanced by the uniqueness of each individual.
The Pluralist Theory The pluralist theories on media differentiate greatly from that of the Marxist in it arguments and opinions. Many pluralist sociologists such as Katz and Lazarsfield as well as pluralist authors e.g. Nicholas Jones a correspondent on BBC radio news help argue the pluralist case illustrated by the writings and actions. Pluralism acquires a diverse perspective on the involvements of the media seeing it as offering a wide selection of views of the various groups in society. They state modern society is democratic and people have autonomy allowing choice in whether or not to purchase or watch medial output.