Value And Merits Of Pluralism

In spite of the shortcomings and pitfalls of pluralism, it does not mean that it is a barren political philosophy. The pluralist criticism of the monist theory of the State has corrected many of its mistakes, widened political vision and has contributed much to the political theory. First of all, pluralism has introduced the group into political thought. Formerly, political miicnce and philosophy were concerned with the State and the individual. I tut now they have to view society as a vast and complex organisation of groups and associations as well as of individuals. In this way pluralism has pointed a way to a more concrete method of social organisation than the one hitherto employed.

Secondly, by insisting that sovereignty is not merely a legal

  1. oncept, as the jurists think, the pluralists have shown that it piust be understood in a wider sense of the greater interests and influences in which
  2. should be defined. Thirdly, they have pointed out the dangers of over- Intcrference by the State in the affairs and interests of the social groups. Ilicy must enjoy greater freedom and independence, if they are to fulfil lltoir social functions in an adequate manner. The pluralists recognise the Vllue of the group for social life, well-being and progress. They emphasize Him the interests of the State are not always identical with the interests of •l»r social units within it. Fourthly, they correct the tendency of idealization *iid glorification of the State. They prick the bubble of omnipotence and tbftulutism of the State, with which the idealists, especially Hegelian and ■iMolutist idealists and Fascists and Nazis, have credited the State. Fifthly, lh«»Y emphasize the need for decentralisation of political powers, both tlorially and functionally. They provide us with a concrete programme n decentralised industrial and economic system, in which the workers, l>roducers and the consumers have greater freedom and better life. Ily, the pluralists are the prophets of the future for they proclaim the I to limit the external sovereignty of the State in the interest of humanity # whole. They show a path to international interdependence and co- iition. They show a way to a world order in which the absolute sovereignty of the national States will be replaced by international organisations.

Conclusion

In short, the pluralists have protested against the rigid and dogmatic legalism of the monist theory of the sovereignty of the State. They have insisted on the necessity of studying the actual Facts of political life. They have upheld the principle of federalism, in social organisation. They have warned against too much interference by the State in individual and group life. They have paved the way to internationalism as against nationalism of’the 19th century.

They have insisted that the State is not a policeman writ large, but has moral obligation to devote its supreme powers to the well-being and progress of the individuals and groups. Thus, pluralist philosophy has directly contributed to the conception and growth of the Welfare State. In this respect, monism has become a conservative political theory, while pluralism has become a critical one. But pluralism, as a political philosophy, is dead or dying. It is not so much a theory as an attitude. It has no inner consistency of views or principles. It has now become a general theory of the social structure of the State. Sovereignty has not been expunged from political theory, nor has the sovereign State been reduced in stature both in national and international politics. Pluralism has only widened and deepened our understanding of the sovereignty of the State. It has not expunged it from Political Science. But political behaviouralism, a new science of politics, has done so, as we shall now explain.

 

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