The Pluralist Paradigm

The pluralist paradigm is a way of understanding how power and influence operate in society. It suggests that no single group or individual has complete control—instead, multiple groups with different interests, such as businesses, government agencies, or communities, compete and collaborate to shape decisions and policies. This distribution of power encourages diversity of ideas, openness, and negotiation, leading to a balanced and dynamic societal system. Essentially, pluralism views society as a marketplace of competing interests that collectively influence how things are run.