Pluralist Theory in New York Housing Coalitions

1. The pluralist theory corresponds with document one, titled New York Housing Coalitions at Work. The pluralist theory is the theory that in democracy, politics is the competition between groups for their desired votes. Groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized efforts. This theory emphasizes that the policymaking process is very open to the participation of all groups with shared interests, with no single group usually dominating. The groups compete through compromising, negotiating, and forming formal or informal alliances, and act in their own interests. This document focuses on how “people who care about affordable housing in New York City” faced a challenge in the midst of a deepening

The elitist theory corresponds with document two, titled The End of Representation: How Congress Stifles Electoral Competition. The elitist theory contends that society is divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite pulls the strings of government. Wealth is the basis of this power. The “1 Percent” controls most policy decisions because they can afford to finance election campaigns and control key institutions. Document two focuses on why the rate of reelection for members of the House of Representatives is so high. The rate hovers around 90 percent because House members focus on projects that will benefit their constituents, and use “taxpayer-funded perquisites” to spread their message and gain attention. Their approval ratings also skyrocket because of constituent service. Campaign laws regarding how much money a candidate can receive from an individual or group greatly reduces the chances of potential candidates. The author then suggests a number of reforms that could be implemented, such as imposing term limits on members of Congress that would “ensure that party leaders and committee chairmen would not become part of a permanent ruling class”. The members of the House of Representatives serve as the “elite” in this situation. These elites are controlling the government because they were being reelected nine times out of ten, making it very difficult for there to be new members of the House of Representatives. They are also influencing elections and

The Marxist theory corresponds with document four, titled Civil Air Regulations Amendment 3-2. The Marxist theory of democracy focuses on a classless society. Document four focuses on how the standards in the Civil Air Regulations for safety belts are not high enough to properly protect occupants of aircrafts, and that the belts in general use are subject to deterioration. The Board is amending the requirements for safety belts to establish higher safety standards. The document later describes how “interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment and due consideration has been given to all relevant matter presented”. Karl Marx believed in a classless society where all could contribute and participate in discussions on public policy, and on policymaking. The amending of the requirements for safety belts in aircrafts affects the public, which is why all “interested persons”, have an opportunity to participate in the making of the new amendments. This document does not correspond with the elitist theory because a small group of elites is not controlling the decision-making process and do not decide the outcome. This document also does not correspond with the bureaucratic theory of government because although various organizations, including the Civil Air Regulations Board and the National Aircraft Standards Committee, have a dominate say on the matter, all “interested persons have... an opportunity to participate in the