A number of propositions about power in America--taken from the work of Olson, Lowi, McConnell, Schattschneider, and Edelman--are presented and discussed. These propositions comprise an alternative theory to pluralism, which is termed "plural elitism." But neither pluralism nor plural elitism explains the emergence and effects of the social movements in America of the last two decades. Fifteen propositions about the relationships among social movements, interest groups, and public policy are stated. They constitute a perspective which is termed "a new group theory," that draws upon plural elitism, the study of public-interest lobbies, and the new social movement theory of political sociology. It is concluded that another theory of political power in America could be based on this new group theory. (Author)