1. Question
Pluralist theories of the state, see the state in Western democracies as representing the interests of everyone within the state (pressure groups, general elections) therefore…

2. Option
A - Therefore one group dominates – power is concentrated within a power elite
B - Therefore no one group dominates – power is dispersed rather than concentrated
C - Therefore one group dominates – power is concentrated within a ruling-class elite

3. Answer
A - Therefore one group dominates – power is concentrated within a power elite B - Therefore no one group dominates – power is dispersed rather than concentrated C - Therefore one group dominates – power is concentrated within a ruling-class elite

4. Question
Two pluralist theorists of the state are…

5. Options A - Dahl and Polsby B - Dunleavy and O’Leary
C - Engles and Marx
D - Dunleavy and Leary

6. Answer A - Dahl and Polsby B - Dunleavy and O’Leary
C - Engles and Marx
D - Dunleavy and Leary

7. Question
Identify the three main pluralist views of the state

8. Answer The weathervane model – The neutral state model
The broker state model

9. Question
Briefly explain what you understand by the term broker state model

10. Answer
Broker state model - the state simply negotiates (brokers) between the vested interests of these groups and creates policies which satisfy the these groups

11. Question
Briefly explain what you understand by Miliband’s view of the state

12. Answer Miliband has an instrumentalist view of the state
(this sees the state as being run by a ruling-class elite – elite theory sees the state as being run by a power elite – who run the country in preserve the capitalist system. These people are often connected by their social and educational background (which is similar to C. Wright- Miles’ point)

13. Question
Milton Friedman and Peter Bauer are both…

14. Answer
New Right theoriests

15. Question
Friedman position was governments should only get involved with four areas of the economy, these are…

16. Answer Defence Law and Order
The provision of the necessary public works – (that private enterprise doesn’t find profitable)
Protection from members of the community who ‘cannot be regarded as responsible individuals.’

17. Question
Chomsky points out reducing the role of the state (and its size) restricts its capacity to…..

18. Answer
…..improve or assist vulnerable people in society.

19. Question
What kind of state theorists are Nordlinger & Theda Skocpol?

20. Answer
State centred theorists

21. Question
What do state centred theorists argue?

22. Answer
society-centred theories see the state as an independent entity which can act on its own agendas

23. Question
What does Theda Skocpol argue?

24. Answer
She argues that weak states bring their own downfall rather than class struggles

25. Question
Nordlinger’s argues the state acts independent to its people, to the extent it acts autonomously through three mechanisms - what he termed types.
What are these three mechanisms?

26. Answer
Type 1 – state autonomy occurs through setting the agenda via decision or non-decision making
Type 2 – state autonomy by manipulating public opinion to support government thus wining the argument
Type 3- state autonomy when the state supports policies by powerful interest groups in society

27. Question
Like Nordlinger, Theda Skocpol argues pluralists, Marxists and neo- Marxists all assume the state is shaped by external pressures because state’s are autonomous structures that have interests all of their own which it can act on. To have the power to influence the state these organisations external to the state need to be organised therefore Theda Skocpol argues all the state needs to do is?

28. Answer
Therefore a state can become more powerful if it stops opposition groups organising or outlaws such opposition groups

29. Question
But the trouble is states can’t stop all opposition groups forming due to?

30. Answer
globalisation