Summary Of Robert Dahl's Who Governs

In Robert Dahl’s Who Governs?, he relates the political structure of the United States to that of New Haven, CT. This form of government is pluralistic. The author reports that the shift to pluralism was not random. Oligarchies that involved people who were very powerful and had all the resources they needed transitioned to pluralistic societies where power was not concentrated. While power is allocated across a larger range, all people do not have the same opportunities. Also, Dahl mentions that leaders in a democracy have the ability to be influential. However, to remain this way, they must listen to what the people want; they cannot only follow their own political agendas. In addition, he says that a pluralistic democracy cannot be understood by looking at one part and assuming it represents the whole. Some people can have their voices heard easier than others; they are part of an elite stratum. If it ever dismantles, the government would

However, a rich person could choose to not be involved in politics and be in the apolitical strata. It is very easy for people to enter the political strata in open pluralism. As long as they have the same views, they cannot be alienated. America is an example of an open system, in which anyone can run for a certain office. Since it is not difficult to enter the strata, Dahl thinks that politicians must work hard to not be replaced. There tends to be an incentive to listening to the people over the intellectuals since the people have more votes. Also, any group that is well informed can report its views, no matter the size. Dahl thinks that decisions get adopted by compromising with those people. He also says that other countries cannot adapt to America’s pluralistic democracy because of their differing ideologies. Dahl is strongly in favor of the pluralist system. As long as the constitution is in place, it works well for the