Liberal Pluralism

General Assumptions:

1. Society composed of diverse groups who come together to lobby for and represent their interests before government. This diversity of interests gives balance and strength to the overall society. And all voices can potentially be heard.

2. The power of groups to represent their interests is roughly equal. No one group can dominate any particular issue all of the time.

3. The government acts as an impartial referee on behalf of the general good, helping to achieve fair and just compromises to competing claims.

4. Political life (at the level of the citizen and at the institutional level) is independent from economic life. Rich and poor are equal in the face of government and law.

5. The exercise of power is visible.