Final answer:
Pluralism is a political theory where diverse interests compete for government influence, with the resulting policy being a form of compromise. Robert Dahl advocated for this theory, suggesting it leads to democratic representation. Criticisms include factionalism and the unequal influence of well-resourced groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory of pluralism posits that in a democracy, multiple and diverse interests compete for influence in the political system. This competition is considered to be the essence of democratic decision-making. According to pluralist theory, governments respond to the pressures from competing interest groups. Notable political theorist Robert Dahl has stated that all active and legitimate groups have the potential to make themselves heard in a pluralist democracy, fostering an optimistic view of political representation.
However, criticisms of pluralism include concerns about fractionalism and the unequal influence of interest groups, particularly those with more resources. James Madison, in the Federalist Paper No. 10, highlighted the potential dangers of factions, indicating that while pluralism allows for diverse representations, not all groups may have equal influence. Additionally, people are often skeptical about the effectiveness of the government in addressing the needs of the non-elite members of society.
According to the question, the correct answer from the provided options would be "b" - government policy is formed as a result of the competition between groups with different goals and interests. This reflects the pluralist notion that public policy is shaped through a series of competitions and compromises among various interest groups.