Pluralism Polyarchy – many groups have power in society; no one group dominates and all have power through the act of voting in representatives who must then reflect the power of the people, or else lose their jobs. Interest groups – based around ideas about how the world should work – cause a diffusion of power among many people, with competing ideologies that create a change in social understanding of that issue.

Elite Theory All modern societies are dominated by large, bureaucratic elites. These elites may not be wealthy themselves, but are dependent upon the wealth of others to maintain their position – thus, their power and their aims are aligned with the wealthy, and not everyday people. Union leaders, too, are part of the elite because they work with those in power and those with wealth to maintain the status quo.

Marxist Theory Capitalism naturally creates conflict among workers and capitalists. This conflict means that those with the most wealth will have the most say in government and the political sphere. Those with wealth can also purchase large media outlets, so that most of the news people hear or see is dictated by the wealthy and their interests. Democracies are therefore less about the ability individuals have in their say over the government than how much wealth the well-to-do are willing to give to a cause.

State Autonomy Theory The government as a whole (“state”) is completely separate from the citizenry. It has complete power over the citizens and can dictate how they live their lives because: The state has a monopoly on violence – only the state can engage in it, while arresting citizens for violence. The state is in a unique role to protect citizens – only the state can perform this action. The state has the power to regulate taxes – only the state can raise revenue in this way.

Activity In four separate groups, you will each be given one of these theories. You will have to include a modern example of this theory in practice AND an example of how this existed at the time of the Constitutional Convention (1787). Lastly, one of your group members will have to argue why your theory about the political world is most correct, using your examples as the basis for your argument.