Question

Who governs? Who has power? Elitism is a notion that there is a small number of well-connected and resourced individuals who have access to the levers of power. In this notion the types of policy that is created serves their interests. By contrast, an alternative perspective is pluralism. With pluralism there are multiple groups (organized and unorganized) and multiple issues. It is through competitive elections that the distribution of power is allocated. Stated more simply, groups compete with each other over public policy and no single group dominates all areas. Which of these two models do you find compelling arguments? Why?

Answer 1

Elitism or the notion that an elite should lead a society and pluralism, the alternative to elitism, in which multiple groups compete in elections to lead a society, has its own merits and demerits. Pluralism, however, has an upper hand and is widely accepted as the distribution of power is allocated through competitive elections. Different parties with different views compete in elections arguing over issues and stating their points. The model with compelling arguments is pluralism as it gives the opportunity to the community to choose the best one to lead them.