Issue Areas

In their article, Two Faces of Power, Bacharach and Baratz, touch upon Robert Dahl's examination of "three different 'issue areas' in which important public decisions are made", while using Dahl's focus on New Haven, the three areas are subject to affect any party directly or indirectly involved. Those three different issues which Dahl focuses on are, “nominations by the two political parties” , “urban redevelopment”, and “public education”. Bacharach and Baratz explain Dahl’s focus on the distribution of the key decision making process and note that influence of public officials are greatly weighed in on the three areas of activity. However, they’ve taken into consideration that the notables or elitist party are not directly affected by these issues, however, they are more directly involved in the decision making process. Nominations by two political parties involves the decision of who will hold office under a leadership role. Urban redevelopment measures costs and potentials of the future of a land, making the process of redevelopment an issue which may involve a particular party. Public education is perhaps a factor of crucial importance, however,  elitist party may not particularly invest interest hence, their children attend private schools, they do however measure the amount of budgeting and tax dollars which will allow for the public education to continue to run on. Though these are three issues which are discussed under the example of New Haven, Bacharach and Baratz continue to examine the mobilization of bias. The political agenda which is directly influenced by a particular influential group appearing to benefit communal power. Here an individual must analyze the participation in decision making of particular concrete issue. vested in their interest.

Bacharaz and Baratz’s section on Dahl’s focus of three different issues areas of particular interest. Given that the three areas, although refers to New Haven, is something which can be issue areas that may affect any other city or community.  I’ve made the connection that these issues may directly become of political, economical and educational interest. Precisely, because these issue areas are of importance that may affect a community daily. The idea of power is understood to become part of a larger picture and use our voice to become part of the decision making process. Specifically, when the small decision such as who can represent you, or who can say what is to be developed in your home area, and who decides which schools remain open or closed, are what may affect communal life. There is a large amount of energy invested into this decision making process and to make presumptions about power is to conclude the amount of power one may personally have.