<h2>Summary</h2>
<p>Many question whether politicians are actually interested in the needs of average citizens and debate how much influence ordinary people have over what government does. Those who support the <strong>elite theory</strong> of government argue that a small, wealthy, powerful elite controls government and makes policy to benefit its members and perpetuate their power. Others favor the pluralist theory, which maintains that groups representing the people’s interests do attract the attention of politicians and can influence government policy. In reality, government policy usually is the result of a series of tradeoffs as groups and elites fight with one another for influence and politicians attempt to balance the demands of competing interests, including the interests of the constituents who elected them to office.</p>
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<h2>Glossary</h2>
<p><strong>elite theory:</strong> claims political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people</p>
<p><strong>pluralist theory:</strong> claims political power rests in the hands of groups of people</p>
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Summary of Who Governs

Government involves the study of political institutions, processes, and theories. The subject deals with the study of agencies, political institutions, and dynamics of the state.

Government

Explore the foundations and intricacies of the American political system, including the different types of government, the perspectives on who governs, and the pathways and factors of civic engagement in a democracy.


Summary of Who Governs

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