Recent Perspectives on Modern Democracy: Marxism, Pluralism, and Public Choice
Author(s)
Mitchell, William C.
Abstract
Three major views of the state “compete” in modern social science: Marxism, pluralism, and public choice. Marxism is the oldest and best known; pluralism is the most widely accepted, at least, in the United States; and public choice is the newest, most technical, and, therefore, least understood. After examining contending explanations of the origins and growth of the state, I will focus attention on the institutions and political processes of the modern democratic state. Finally, I will ask whether these schools of thought have anything in common and whether what they may hold in common is important.
