Full Idea
In the 1950s 'pluralism' was a common idea about power - that the concentration of power in America is not excessive because one group always balances the power of others.
Gist of Idea
The pluralist view says that power is restrained by group rivalry
Source
Steven Lukes (Power: a Radical View (2nd ed) [2005], Intro)
Book Reference
Lukes,Steven: 'Power: a radical view' [Macmillan 2005], p.2
A Reaction
[He cites Alan Wolfe's 2000 intro to C. Wright Mills] There must be something to this idea. In the UK we encourage the existence of an official opposition to the government for that reason.