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Polyarchy
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However, Polyarchy has evolved also into an activist concept to refer to the rule by the many and in this sense serves as a philosophical alternative to " Liberal Democracy " (or Pluralism ). The assumption is that genuine Unity is an impossible Ideal and that rule by the many may be accomplished through multiple elites representing distinct communities in a Polity . Polyarchists believe that conflict is best met with Dialogue rather than with resort to the arbitrary coercive power of superior authority.

Polyarchism is sometimes compared with Corporatism and Consociational Democracy generally and with Pillarization ''verzuiling'' in the Netherlands (''Governance and Politics in the Netherlands'' pp. 21-31).

Adding to the confusion are descriptions of polyarchy like that of Mark Curtis , who asserts that, "Polyarchy is generally what British leaders mean when they speak of promoting 'democracy' abroad. This is a system in which a small group actually rules and mass participation is confined to choosing leaders in elections managed by competing elites." (''Web of Deceit'', p. 247) This use of the term is actually opposite to its Etymological meaning, since polyarchy means "rule by many." What's actually described by this meaning is Oligarchy , "rule by the few."


CITATIONS

  • Rudy B. Andeweg and Galen W. Irwin . 2002. ''Governance and Politics of the Netherlands''. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 0333961560.

  • Seyom Brown. 1988. ''New Forces, Old Forces, and the Future of World Politics.'' Glenview, Il.: Scott Foresman.

  • Charles Blattberg . 2003. ''Shall We Dance? A Patriotic Politics for Canada''. Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queens's University Press. ISBN 0773525475 (cloth); ISBN 0773525963 (paper).

  • Mark Curtis . 2003. ''Web of Deceit: Britain's Real Role in the World''. London: Vintage UK Random House. ISBN 009448394.

  • Robert A. Dahl . 1956. ''A Preface to Democratic Theory''. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0226134252 (paper).

  • James N. Rosenau & Ernst-Otto Czempiel. 1992. ''Governance without Government: Order and Change in World Politics''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.