Bachrach

"As the foregoing quotations make clear, the pluralists concentrate their attention, not upon the sources of power, but its exercise."


This means that pluralists are basing their research of power solely on how power is being utilized, rather than those who have the power. Pluralist researchers closely monitor the behaviors and involvements of the most active people in power, as they form and reach "key" decisions. This observation allows pluralists to identify those who are exercising more power than others in the same circle. Those who are least active in "key" decision making tend to participate more in "routine" decisions. Key decisions are of more significance as oppose to routine decisions, which are least important.


I think that the "pluralists" strategy is a good way to measure power at work. It allows us to learn about what goes on in the minds of people in power as they make important decisions. With that information, we can perhaps figure out what are their true motives. Are they for the people? Are the acting in good faith? Or, are they simply power tripping?