Theories of pluralism and elitism provide us with democratic models to explain how governments and groups interact with one another in the decision-making process. By forming themselves into groups, individuals take on a significance that would be denied to them in isolation, but it is the extent of influence that certain groups are able to wield over the policy-making process that is highly contested. While pluralist and elite theories both maintain that groups are central to the decision-making process there are significant differences between the two models (Box 1).
■ Pluralist theorists stress the significance of diverse social groups in the creation of public policy. These groups compete with one another for influence and policy decisions made within well-functioning pluralist democracies are the product of a wide array of organised group influences.
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