Which view holds that politics is mainly a competition among groups, with decision making shaped by interest groups?

• A. Participatory democracy
• B. Popular sovereignty
• C. Pluralist democracy
• D. Public policy

Answer: (C)

Pluralist democracy explains politics as a contest among many organized groups, with decisions shaped by the activity and bargaining of interest groups. In this view, no single group or elite always controls policy; instead business associations, labor unions, professional groups, advocacy organizations, and others mobilize to influence lawmakers and shape public policy. Policy outcomes emerge from negotiation and compromise among these groups within the political system, reflecting the relative strength and strategy of different interests.

This stands apart from participatory democracy, which emphasizes broad citizen involvement and direct participation in decision-making; popular sovereignty, which centers on the people as the ultimate source of political authority; and public policy as the actual laws and programs produced, not a theory about how politics operates. Critics note that pluralism can gloss over disparities in influence, but the core idea is that politics is driven by competition among many groups shaping decisions through organized activity.