Community power structure : a study of decision makers

It has been evident to the writer for some years that policies on vital matters affecting community life seem to appear suddenly. They are acted upon, but with no precise knowledge on the part of the majority of citizens as to how these policies originated or by whom they are really sponsored. Much is done, but much is left undone. Some of the things done appear to be manipulated to the ad vantage of relatively few.

There appears to be a tenuous line of communication be tween the governors of our society and the governed. This situation does not square with the concepts of democracy we have been taught to revere. The line of communication be tween the leaders and the people needs to be broadened and strengthened-and by more than a series of public-relations and propaganda campaigns-else our concept of democracy is in danger of losing vitality in dealing with problems that affect all in common.