ABSTRACT
Readers who value broad-based participation in politics and policy making-that is, those who believe that American politics is characterized by pluralism-may find this discussion of political power dispiriting, as much of the current literature on political power and interest groups adopts the elite theory perspective. Elite theory suggests that relatively few people in key positions in government, industry, academe, the media, and other institutions control a disproportionate share of the nation’s economic and political resources. In the discussion that follows, you will see distinct echoes of this way of thinking. At the same time, you will learn that policy elites
do not all think alike or move in lockstep with each other to promote a unified “agenda.” Also, these elites are not static. As discussed in earlier chapters and as noted here, while the American system of government and politics often favors more powerful and more focused economic interests over less powerful, more diffuse interests, often the less powerful interests-or, as I sometimes call them, disadvantaged interests-can coalesce and, when the time is right, find avenues for the promotion of their ideas.
