In elitist theory power is seen as concentrated amongst a few groups or individuals, including the government. Elitist theory would suggest that only a few major pressure/interest groups, such as the NRA or AARP, actually have any influence, and that even they struggle to gain power because it is concentrated in the hands of a few members of government.
Democracy is a system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting. In a direct democracy, the citizens as a whole form a governing body and vote directly on each issue. In a representative democracy the citizens elect representatives from among themselves.
Although they faced many obstacles, one of the most significant they faced at Valley Forge during the American Revolution was the incredibly harsh winter and lack of food.
