While pluralism and Marxism are said to have developed from liberalism and socialism respectively (through the critique or expansion of such ideologies), thus both appearing on the left of the left-right economic scale, most of their theories are in fact remarkably different, if not entirely at odds with each other. However, if we look closely at these theories, the only similarity, often overlooked by critics, is the fact that both offer criticism of the state despite their opposing views. To understand these visions of the state, it is important to first understand the fundamental visions of both pluralism and Marxism. Only then can these opinions be evaluated and ultimately compared with each other, thus ascertaining which view is most suitable within modern society. Pluralism is essentially a theory that favors the equal distribution of power among individuals rather than that power remains in the hands of an individual. Heywood, 2003; Schwarzmantel, 1994; This theory is predominantly associated with Robert Dahl, who had studied how the state behaves and among whom power is exercised in New Haven (Heywood, 2007; Dahl, 1961). However, it has been argued that this theory is too idealistic and that it is impossible for there to be an equal distribution of power because realistically power is only likely to be exercised by a minority, according to the elitist view (Heywood, 2007; Schwarzmantel, 1994 ). Marxism tends to focus more on the rights of the working class than those of society as a whole, as pluralism does. After all, Karl Marx's ideas and theories are most commonly interpreted as a critique of capitalism in which the mi...... middle of paper ......(2010), 'Democracy in a Pluralist Global Order: CorporatePower and Stakeholder Representation' in Ethics and International Business, vol. 24, No. 1, pp 19-43McLennan, G. (1989), Marxism, Pluralism and Beyond, Cambridge: PolityMiliband, R. (1988), 'Marx and the State' in Bottomore, T. (ed.), Interpretations of Marx, BasilBlackwell: Oxford and New York, pp. 271-289Newman, M. (2006), 'Class, State and Democracy: Laski, Miliband and the Search for aSynthesis' in Political Studies, vol. 54, No. 2, pp 328-348Nicholls, D. (1975), The Pluralist State, London and Basingstoke: MacMillanSchwarzmantel, J. (1994), The State in Contemporary Society, Hemel Hempstead:Harvester WheatsheafSmith, M. (2006) , 'Pluralism' in Hay C., M. Lister and D. Marsh (eds.), The State: Theoriesand Issues, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, pp 21-38