PLURALIST

Pluralist argues that:There is VETO-GROUPSGroups with the power to prevent other groups

or the government implementing a policy, although they do not necessarily have the power

to get their own policies implemented.All groups are

POWERFULGOT WHAT THEY WANTRESOURCESFUNDS

Power is fragmented, fluid, or ‘mercurial’.

The main exponent of pluralist theory,

Robert Dahl (1915)pluralist democracy does not work in a perfect ‘textbook’ manner, but it

works reasonably well, ‘warts and all’.

There is no fixed power structure or power elite, but different configurations of shifting coalitions and power according to the issue and the circumstances. Today’s winners will be tomorrow’s losers, and vice versa

MARXIST/

ELITIST

Marxist/Elitist argues that:There is an ‘iron law of oligarchy’ groups are controlled by a few, unrepresentative

leaders, because they are the people with theskill, knowledge and experience to run them, and

because leaders make sure they control group resources and the means of communication.

All groups are dominated by

EducatedUPPER-CLASSPEOPLE IN HIGHER

SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUSUPPER STRATA

  Some social groups are weakly organised, or largely unorganised

Some elite theorists argue that there is a

Military–industrial complex

The close and powerful alliance of government, business and military

interests that is said by some to run capitalist societies.

• Group resources are distributed with cumulative inequality.

• Groups with structural power in the economy are particularly powerful

• Groups fight within a political structure that is systematically loaded in favour of middle- and upper-class interests.

SOCIAL CAPITAL

AND CIVIL SOCIETY

SOCIAL CAPITALThe features of society such as trust, social norms and social networks, that improve social and governmental efficiency by encouraging cooperation and collective action

Alexis de Tocqueville’s (1805–59)

Robert Putnam (1941–)

VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

Social capital and Civil society

argues that:

ARE CRUCIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC ATTITUDES & BEHAVIOR

civic engagement, voting and membership of parties.

trust, reciprocity and satisfaction with

democracy

Alexis de Tocqueville’s (1805–59)

Robert Putnam (1941–)

VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

Social capital and Civil society

argues that:

TEACH THE POLITICAL SKILLS OF A DEMOCRACY

how to organize, how to run meetings, how to compromise and how to work and

cooperate with others for collective goals

Alexis de Tocqueville’s (1805–59)

Robert Putnam (1941–)

VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

Social capital and Civil society

argues that:

!!! ALL SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS GENERATE ‘GOOD’ SOCIAL CAPITAL

Some are not beneficialto society as a whole. Ther are some Voluntary Organizations who generates ‘bad’ social capital.

Alexis de Tocqueville’s (1805–59)

Robert Putnam (1941–)

VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

Social capital and Civil society

argues that:

ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND DEMOCRATIC STABILITY IS ROOTED IN NETWORKS OF VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS.

Democratic malaise (falling election turnout and party membership, declining trust in

politicians and government institutions, cheating on taxes, political fear and cynicism) is caused by a decline in the

voluntary organisations that generate social capital.

CRITICISM Social capital and Civil

society The definition and treatment of the concept of social capital is vague and

all-inclusive.

Voluntary organizations have rather little effect on political attitudes and behavior

television is not particularly responsible foreroding social capital – on the contrary, television news and current

affairs programs can inform and mobilize people.

Social capital theory sometimes assumes a ‘bottom-up’ process in whichindividuals who join organizations help to create a culture of civic Social capital. The features

of society such as trust, social norms and social networks, that improve social and governmental efficiency by encouraging cooperation and collective action. Pressure groups and social movements engagement and democratic participation. A ‘top-down’ approach argues that governments help to create the conditions in which both voluntary organizations

and a climate of trust can flourish.

That arena of social life outside the state, the commercial sector and the family (i.e. mainly voluntary organizations and civic associations) that permits individuals to associate freely and independently of state regulation

Free And Independent Citizen Associations Not Controlled By The Governing Regime Is Emphasised As A Basis Of Democracy

Strong and vibrant private organizations are essential both for

a satisfying social life, and as a counter-balance to the power of the

state.

Transition to democracy depends on building autonomous, private organisations

creating a culture and tradition to sustain them, especially in

societies where such organizations have been controlled or suppressed by

the state.

Tended to develop ina different way from western pluralism,

organizations have formedmost readily around nationalist, ethnic and

religious interests that have become a force for division and conflict, rather than

compromise and integration.

Reference

• Newton, K., & Deth, J. W. (2005). Foundations of comparative politics: Democracies of the modern world. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.