Critical Pluralism Demmcartic Prfrmnc

Who governs is a central question in political science.

Typically, political scientists address this question by relying upon either empirical analysis, which explains existing political practices, or normative analysis, which orescribes ideal politcal practices.

Political scientist Paul Schumaker believes the distinction between empirical and normative theory has been overplayed.

He weds the two approaches to create the new analytical mode he calls "critical pluralism".

With it he can measure variances in government performance from pluralist/democratic ideals and then provide theoretical explanations of why the variances occurred, Schumaker uses critical pluralism to describe, explain, and evaluate variations in three key measures of democratic performance: responsible representation, complex equality, and principle-policy congruence.

To test his framework and methodology he analyzes twenty-nine community issues that arose in Lawrence, Kansas, between 1977 and 1987.

The results of his study-one of the most comprehensive data bases ever in the study of community politics-will be of interest to those who study community power and democratic theory. The conceptual framework itself and methodology used in assessing democratic performance will have a lasting impact on the way community government is studied.