Which perspective—elitist or pluralist—should apply to America's defense policy? What about the country's education policy? Explain your answers

What will be an ideal response?

Answer:
An ideal response will:
1. Briefly explain/define the pluralist and elitist perspectives.
2. Argue which perspective might apply to defense. Defense is an arena that likely does not have a diversity of interests vying for power and access to decision makers. Defense policy is likely influenced by a few elite interests such as defense contractors and well-informed military related interests, thus an elitist perspective is appropriate.
3. Argue which perspective might apply to education policy. Education policy is likely influenced by a variety of interests. Most adults either have children in schools, had them at one time, or will have them in the future. Accordingly, it is a policy arena that directly affects many people. Thus, many people and interests likely weigh in in this policy arena. Therefore pluralism may be the appropriate perspective here.