Theories of Government

1. Theories of Government

2. Instructions • Using the your textbook, you will fill out a chart for each of the following theories on power in government: • “Power Elite” Theory • Marxism • Bureaucratic Theory • Pluralist Theory • You will use this brainstorm form in preparation for the challenge.

3. Scoring • 7 Statements will appear. • Please write the theory that is being described by the statement on the scoring sheet. • For Points: • 5-7 Questions Right: 2 points • 3-4 Questions Right: 1 point • Less than 3 Questions Right: 0 points

4. 1.Power Elite Theory • C. Wright Mills is the predominant thinker in this theory.

5. 2. Marxist Theory • In the view of this theory, the government is dominated by the economic leaders, known as capitalists.

6. 3. Power Elite Theory • This theory is a belief that power in government is held by leaders in the military, business sector, and politicians.

7. 4. Bureaucratic Theory • Advocates of this theory might remind an individual who is upset at the prospect of radical change in law and policy following a presidential election that there are thousands of governmental employees who remain in their jobs before, during and after such elections and they have a considerable amount of power and discretion.

8. 5. Pluralist Theory • The following are all aspects of this theory of government: • No single elite has a monopoly on political resources. • Policies are the result of a complex pattern of shifting alliances. • Political resources are not distributed equally. • Political elites are divided.

9. 6. Bureaucratic Theory • Max Weber was the pre-eminent thinker of this political theory.

10. 7. Pluralist Theory • A believer in this theory would argue that there is no way for our government to be controlled by one group of elites. There are too many groups vying for power that no one group can truly dominate.

11. 8. Marxist Theory • Karl Marx was the pre-eminent thinker of this political theory.