FREE Marxism versus pluralism Essay (original) (raw)

Marxism and Pluralism are two theories which espouse particular views of the state which, on initial inspection, appear to be in opposition to each other. However, certain aspects of Pluralism's pressure groups reflect the economic drive of the state as demonstrated by Marx. This essay will assess both views, firstly by analysing each one separately and then comparing them in regards to our current situation.
The Pluralist view of the state deals primarily with the activities of pressure groups. The term, "pressure group" deals with a very large area, but can be taken to mean any organisation that looks to influence the government's decision making process. Pressure groups can include large corporations, oil consortiums, environmental groups or even a small group of citizens concerned with a local issue. The basic premise is that a pressure group will bring issues to the government as a neutral decision maker who will evaluate the matter and introduce legislation or economic changes in order to deal with it. As events and social conditions change, new groups will emerge and older groups will lose power, ensuring a continual struggle amongst these different sectors. Pluralism suggests that it is this which is good for democracy, firstly because opposing groups provide checks and balances for each other; for example, while Greenpeace may lobby for higher road taxes, oil consortiums argue against them, therefore both viewpoints are presented to the state, as a neutral decision maker. It also allows people access to politics constantly instead of only at election times; therefore pressure groups are an important means of political representation. By joining a pressure group people are able to express their feelings on certain issues and help to influence government decisions on that issue.
Pressure groups can also complement political parties and are normally allied with a specific one, which allows the public to put direct pressure on a political party to give priority to certain issues by joining a pressure group.

1. Pluralism

"Pluralism can never exist in its purest form." Discuss with reference to elitism and Marxism. ... In this essay I will be examining the way pluralism, elitism and Marxism view the distribution of power in society as well as why it is argued that pluralism cannot exist in its purest form. ... There are however several criticisms of pluralism. ... In conclusion it appears that pluralism in its purest form is too idealistic to work in practice. ...

2. Pluralism & Elitism

In the United States, to understand politics, one must first understand the theories of pluralism and elitism. ... The theory of pluralism requires one to understand the groups that exist within the United States. ... However, politicians also need the vote of the masses, or the group (pluralism), to stay in office. ... The founding fathers (elites) depicted a document that would serve their interests and other elites versus the masses. ... Elitism, in my opinion, definitely runs this country, although pluralism cannot be disregarded completely....

3. Pluralism

The dictionary defines pluralism as "a form of society in which the members of minority groups maintain their independent cultural traditions." Pluralism can also be described by the phrase the "melting pot," in which a place where races, theories, and cultures are blended together. ... "In 1860, there had been 49 cities over 10,000 in population; by 1900 there were 645," (www.expo98.msu.edu) Still, to some, pluralism presented a problem. ... However, the idea of pluralism and for what America stands for freedom were gone and their rights lost. ...

4. Marxism

Marxism Marx Karl Heinrich Marx was a revolutionary, sociologist, historian, and an economist. ... It was mainly from these, and other works of Marx and Engels that lead to the body of thought and belief now known as Marxism, which formed the basis of socialism, with communism as the final stages of socialism. Marxism, or scientific socialism is the name given to the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that provides the theoretical basis for the struggle of the working class to reach the higher form of human society, which is socialism. Marxism talks mainly about dialectical material...

5. Monism and Pluralism

Monism and pluralism both are examples of materialism. ... Pluralism is a theory that states that ultimately, there are many kinds of substance, not just one. ... Aristotle and Aquinas explained the pluralism of beings by composition. ... It is more of a pluralism theory. ... Pluralism states that more than one basic stuff makes up the universe. ...

6. Pluralism in a Patriotic America

The assortment of government interest parties is cultivated by the pluralism of the government at the federal, regional, and local levels. ... Everyone has the right to free speech in America, so it is necessary to have pluralism to allow every faction and group be allowed the opportunity to voice their opinion. ... We have pluralism to make sure that people's viewpoints are represented via factional groups that then transmit that viewpoint to the representatives in Congress and Senators. ... However, pluralism can make it difficult to get legislation enacted because different political ...

7. Critically Examine the Pluralist Theory of the State

Pluralism therefore calls for a complex network of interest organisations throughout society, each of which possesses its own power base and hence can function relatively independent of the government. ... A case of pluralism being thought about and expressed in America was shown when the framers of the American constitution feared the power that could be wielded by organised interests. ... There are three main basic political theories, pluralism being one, elitism and Marxism being the others. ... The theory of Marxism is third and last theory of the state that I will discuss. Marx and Enge...

8. Theology - Pluralism and Inclusivism

These brackets are exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism. Many a times, critics of pluralism say that pluralists are not true Christians because they do not take their faith seriously. ... The third bracket mentioned was that of Pluralism. Pluralism defines God as divine and mysterious. ... A way to understand pluralism better is imagining a mountain with the peak being God. ...

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