Politics involves struggle for power among various groups of people through which these want to deterministically influence the process of making and implementing of public policies and decisions.
Elite and Class theories of power conceive of society as a society divided between two classes or groups: (i) Dominant Class or Dominant Group which wields power and dominates and rules the society, and (ii) The rules and dominated classes or groups which live under the rule and dominance of the ruling class/group. Against these, the Pluralist Theory holds that in each society power is not in the hands of a single class or group.
It stands dispersed among various social groups. Each group is an independent entity and a centre of decision. The groups of workers, traders, businessmen, industrialists, professionals, consumers and all others have a share in the use of power. These groups cannot be classified into the categories of dominant and dependent groups as each exercises more or less power in society.
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The social groups are independent in their organisations but as parts of the society these are interdependent. In the exercise of power by them a sort of balance exists among these because each group has power and each is a partner in the exercise of power.
The main supporters of the Pluralist Theory of Power have been Bentley, Figgis, Lindsay Barker, Laski, Maclver, Miss Follet, Hunter and Daltl.
In other words, Pluralist Theory of Power advocates the view that power in society, particularly in cache democratic society, is neither in the hands of a single class nor does it belong to any single elite. It belongs to various groups and interests which have influence in society and which continuously complete for influencing the process decision-making at all levels.
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Decision-making is a complex process which involves bargaining among various social groups. Pluralists accept social diversity and hold that in each society power is in the hands of a plurality of groups.