Q13

[tzyc]

Dahl argues diffusion of power makes polyarchy the nearest possible approximation to the democratic ideal, and if as E says they are equaly powerful, diffusion of power would not incline to certain groups and strenghtens the conclusion (makes polyarchy the nearest possible to the ideal) correct?
And would not let L39~46 happens...which weakens the critics at the same time.
At first I thought his conclusion is "the idea of democracy rests on political equality" but then he implies it's impossible (it's possible to bring close to it) so I was at first confused which is his conclusion...

Thank you

[ohthatpatrick]

Yeah, I think you pretty much nailed it.

Dahl explains polyarchy as power diffusing from the center outward into all these interest groups.

The complaint/criticism would be:
well what if some of these groups are so powerful that they essentially marginalize other groups or render them basically powerless? Then there IS concentration of power, which doesn't look very democratic.

(E) counters that objection and makes us think that all the groups have an equal say.

The fact that you pointed out how (E) goes against the critics
is no accident. Typically when RC asks us to strengthen a position the correct answer really goes after the critique of that position and nullifies the critique.

Nice work.