According to Cahn, if a liberal society is characterized by limited choice and extensive spheres of domination, the changes of developing democratic values are limited. Bowles and Gintis are concerned with the clash between individual rights with property rights and economic rights with democratic rights. Social contract theory is based on the notion of a society sharing a single set of cultural and political values. Any group of individuals that do not fall within this social contract are excluded. Discrimination and inequality are an inherent part of the political and social environment.
Exclusion is a function of the American political culture.
In The Prince Machiavelli presents a blueprint for the effective development and maintenance of power. Neustadt is concerned with how a president expands his power and maintains it. The president must rely on the power of persuasion. Cahn believes that it is necessary to see Neustadt as both prescriptive and narrative-how presidents ought to gain power, and how strong ones do. Cahn believes that the president's virtue is based on his image.