Pluralism, in its contemporary usage, is a theory of a political process in which individuals use their freedom to organize into voluntary associations, groups or factions to pursue their goals collectively, through the State and indipendent of the State.

This is why we begin our analysis with the definition of - various types of - groups in their relationship to the state. The vertical axis represents an attempt to provide locations or status to associations close to or distant from the State. The horizontal axis locates associations as types of collectivities -- that is, how individuals relate to each other in pursuing their needs and goals. Group is the concept most appropriate for associations constituted by the highest degree of "rational choice," corporation refers to associations constituted by the highest degree of "determined choice."