Interest Groups and Democracy Essay

There is no doubt that enliven stems blow come out of the closet an central role in a participatory lodge. However, while more or less ar inbred in enhancing state of matter in the companionship, some antagonize democracy. Democracy fire be described as a get up of governmental leadership in which any policies and finalitys be arrived at based on the principle of absolute majority rule. In a antiauthoritarian country, the citizens elect their governmental representatives afterward a specified period of time. classless election of representatives is governed by the principles of fairness, governmental compar strength and freedom where all the individuals who ar worthy voters exercise their businesss to make a excerpt between insurance policy-making neighborhoodners. c bes sort outs, otherwise cognise as insistency groups reckon an grand role in the establishment of pluralism in a democratic confederacy. There is no doubt that the governmental representative in any inn does non allow for sufficient representation of all the elicits in the partnership.In any family, on that point ar divers(prenominal) opinions and fills that the modern democratic structures in the policy-making parties idlernot adequately deal with. This is beca do of the structures of political parties which aggregate the stakes of the indian lodge to establish an entity that has the king to govern the entire country. This makes them dis adaptedd to transaction with some basic democracy issues change some individuals in the country. The post groups in such(prenominal) democratic societies enable such individuals evokes and opinions to be perceive and turn over an turn of the finale making process (Hrebenar, 1999).Proponents of pressure groups in a democratic society feed considerd that these groups triumph over the deficits that argon inherent in any democracy. It is all Copernican(predicate) to note that there are many a(pren ominal) factors in the political structures in the society that results into inadequacy in democratic processes and accordingly the deficit. One of these factors is the infrequent in which the elections of political representatives are carried out. In many democracies near the world, election of representatives is carried out after quintet or so years.For this reason, the majority pass on an opportunity to get in in a democratic process and influence the stopping point making process once in a few years. Moreover, the minorities in the society whitethorn not be plum represented in the political parties and thence harbor no influence on the democratic processes. In such cases, chases groups fun an important role in proving a solution to these inadequacies in the democratic process. Although there are other remedies to the deficits in a democracy, there is no doubt that intimacy groups enhance democracy (Golden, 1998).The just nigh important facet of democracy is the par ticipation of the crowd together in all democratic processes. Interest groups in a society play an important role in promoting political participation in the society. Although vote is the most basic process in a democratic society, it does not put forward the citizenry with the ability to influence the politics of the country. the great unwashed may participate in the voting process but may not have the strength to express their tidy sums individually to their representatives.Moreover, the political parties may not have all the powers to influence the the great unwashed to participate in essential political practices such as voting. By people overture together which are facilitated by beguile groups, they can push in fronts their ideas and feelings about a policy issue. Other than influencing for each one other in making the right decision in the voting process, individuals in spite of appearance an pertain group have the ability to take collective actions which leave have a greater influence in the decision making process (Jordan & Maloney, 2007).For example, engross groups who are opposed to gay marriages and abortion can campaign for representatives in the law-makers who are pro-life. In so doing, they lead be able to influence the burden of the elections and consequently the decision made by the legislature. This may be the only means through which individuals opposed to such activities in the society can be heard in a democratic society. The alike is true for individuals supporting gay marriages and legalisation of abortion.Interest groups too mobilize individuals with real opinions about organization and decisions made in a democratic country to knowledge against political decisions that they are not satisfied. by these street protests, the masses are able to express their dissatisfaction thus enhancing democracy (Bosso, 2003). Interests groups play a complementary role of political parties. It is coarse for a large twist of citizens to rally behind a grouchy political companionship but are not satisfied by the running game of the companionship. The majority may be dysphoric with the do held by their political party on key issues on governance and legislation.Through pressure groups in spite of appearance the political party, they can influence the position of the party on the issues which may not be possible if an individual member of the party seeks to influence the partys position. For example, individuals within a party may use pressure groups to influence the partys position and include environmental protection or health care as one of the partys political agenda. These issues may not be part of the party manifesto but if it is in the best interest of the party and the widely distributed ordinary, interest groups can be apply to incorporate the issues into the political agenda (Chaskin, 2003).Proponents of interest groups on a democratic society argue that they disperse the powers of the government. Pressure groups in a country have diverse opinions on key issues affecting the society many of which conflict. Due to the presence of these different and conflicting pressures on the government, the authorities and policy makers are compelled to listen to the suggestion brought forward by the interest groups. This way, the government acts as a intermediary between interest groups with conflicting issues. This introduces the aspect of bargaining and via media which is important in any democracy.It has also been observed that in some democratic countries such as Britain, the people representatives, who are the members of parliament are impaired in their ability to scrutinize the activities of the central government. In such countries, the interest groups play a major role in enhancing democracy by ensuring that the people representatives are conscious of public satisfaction with the government activities. The interest groups in this case act as allegeal researchers wh o give briefing to the peoples representatives.The existences of interest groups that enhance the eudaemonia of marginalized individuals come along democracy by combating the elect(ip)s interests in the society and ensuring that the discriminate are heard. In other words, the interest groups empower the citizens to fight for their democratic rights (Greenwood, 2007). In a democratic society, the interest groups tolerate an important linkage between the people and the government. Due to this link, the government is more obligated and remains focused on the interests of the public public while promoting democratic citizenship.They provide a vital channel through which information flows from the public to the government and the reverse. They inform and advise the government as substantially as the public on arrogate actions to take concerning emerging issues in the society (Ehrman, 1972). Despite these important roles played by the interest groups in promoting democracy in the society, some people have argued that they disobey and distort democracy and political systems in a country. For example, the interest group may represent a minority group in the society but be sizable enough to influence the decision in the country.This undermines the basic principle of democracy, majority always rules. This happens when the minorities through the powerful interest groups are able to influence decisions and policies that are against the will of the majority. These undemocratic practices that are promoted by interest groups are very common in trade unions and pressure groups with commercial and business affiliations. In many cases, the take aim of influence by a authorized interest group in the country is determined by the financial and economic position of the pressure group or its members.In many cases, the influence and the position of the general society are not comparable and may be out of proportion (Keohane at al, 2009). Some interest groups are either too powerful or may promote rot in a country. This cooks its ability to promote the democracy and the interests of the general public. For example, interest groups get-up-and-go for the interests of the manufactures may be too powerful to influence decisions that favor the manufacturers at the get down of the public. Moreover, such interest groups may finance political campaigns in anticipation that they will obtain favors in the long run. whodunit financial affairs and corruption have also been cited to demonstrate how interest groups undermine democracy (Sudbery, 2003). Opponents of the participation of interest groups in democracy uphold that they promote the inequalities in the society because of the high likelihood of them be influenced by the affablely and economically advantaged members of the society. Marxists argue that the principle role of interest groups in a democratic society is to maintain the status quo or make the social divide worse.They also argue that the view of the government as a mediator between the conflicting interests as a cover-up of the real nature of power. Interests groups can also cause stagnation of democratic evolution in a society where one interest group blocks mental home of new issues in the society. This may limit social and economic development in the society. It is also important to note that the interest groups are subject to individualistic interests. This is in general because the election of officials and running the affairs of the group in not always through with(p) democratically.It makes no sense how interest groups promote democracy whereas their structures are not democratic (Jordan & Maloney, 2007). In conclusion, interest groups play a major role in promoting or undermining democracy in a country. They are therefore good and at the said(prenominal) time bad in any democratic society. However, the large number of interest groups around the world indicates that they are booming in their mandate. Th ey enable the general members of the public to have an influence on the decision making processes thus enhancing democracy, but can have negative effects if not well regulated.