Interest Groups and Democracy Essay

on that point is no doubt that amuse mathematical conventions puzzle out an all told-important(prenominal) fibre in a pop society. However, while some ar essential in enhancing democracy in the society, some overthrow democracy. Democracy nominate be described as a form of semipolitical leadership in which tout ensemble policies and finalitys are arrived at based on the principle of bulk rule. In a democratic bucolic, the citizens elect their political representatives after a specified period of quantify.Democratic election of representatives is governed by the principles of fairness, political equivalence and freedom where all the individuals who are eligible voters exercise their rights to make a choice betwixt political partners. Interests groups, otherwise known as obligate groups reanimate an important role in the establishment of pluralism in a democratic society. There is no doubt that the political representative in any society does not provide suffici ent representation of all the sidelines in the society.In any society, at that place are diverse opinions and intimacys that the in advance(p) democratic structures in the political parties cannot adequately deal with. This is because of the structures of political parties which center the affaires of the society to establish an entity that has the readiness to govern the entire country. This makes them disabled to transaction with some rudimentary democracy issues affecting some individuals in the country. The interest groups in much(prenominal) democratic societies enable much(prenominal) individuals interests and opinions to be comprehend and have an make up ones mind of the decision making dish (Hrebenar, 1999).Proponents of push groups in a democratic society have argued that these groups triumph over the deficits that are inherent in any democracy. It is important to note that there are many factors in the political structures in the society that results into in adequacy in democratic processes and consequently the deficit. One of these factors is the infrequent in which the elections of political representatives are carried out. In many democracies around the world, election of representatives is carried out after phoebe bird or so years.For this reason, the majority have an opportunity to participate in a democratic process and mildew the decision making process once in a few years. Moreover, the minorities in the society whitethorn not be fairly represented in the political parties and consequently have no influence on the democratic processes. In such cases, interests groups play 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 interest groups enhance democracy (Golden, 1998).The most important facet of democracy is the participation of the peck in all democratic processes. Interest groups in a society pla y an important role in promoting political participation in the society. Although voting is the most basic process in a democratic society, it does not provide the pack with the ability to influence the politics of the country. People whitethorn participate in the voting process scarce may not have the force play to express their views individually to their representatives.Moreover, the political parties may not have all the powers to influence the mess to participate in essential political practices such as voting. By plurality coming together which are facilitated by interest groups, they can push ships their ideas and feelings about a insurance policy issue. Other than influencing each other in making the right decision in the voting process, individuals within an interest group have the ability to take collective actions which volition have a greater influence in the decision making process (Jordan & Maloney, 2007).For example, interest groups who are argue to gay marri ages and abortion can campaign for representatives in the legislature who are pro-life. In so doing, they will be able to influence the solvent of the elections and consequently the decision made by the legislature. This may be the solitary(prenominal) way through with(predicate) which individuals opposed to such activities in the society can be heard in a democratic society. The same is neat for individuals supporting gay marriages and legalization of abortion.Interest groups also mobilize individuals with current opinions about governance and decisions made in a democratic country to protest against political decisions that they are not satisfied. Through these street protests, the masses are able to express their dissatisfaction olibanum enhancing democracy (Bosso, 2003). Interests groups play a complementary role of political parties. It is normal for a large procedure of citizens to rally behind a particular political caller but are not satisfied by the running of the party. The majority may be unhappy with the repose held by their political party on find issues on governance and legislation.Through pressure groups within the political party, they can influence the cast 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 tribute 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 ordinary public, interest groups can be used 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 d ivergent 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 mediator between interest groups with conflicting issues. This introduces the aspect of bargaining and compromise which is important in any democracy.It has also been observed that in some democratic countries such as Britain, the flock 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 state representatives are informed of public satisfaction with the government activities. The interest groups in this case act as informal researchers who give briefing to the peoples representatives.The existences of interest groups that put up the welfare of marginalized individuals stir democracy by combatin g the elites interests in the society and ensuring that the disadvantaged 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 provide an important linkage between the people and the government. Due to this link, the government is more responsible and remains focused on the interests of the general 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 apprise the government as soundly as the public on hold actions to take concerning emerging issues in the society (Ehrman, 1972). Despite these important roles play by the interest groups in promoting democracy in the society, some people have argued that they undermine and distort democracy and political systems in a country. For example, the interest group may represent a minority group in the soci ety but be powerful 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 level of influence by a certain interest group in the country is determined by the pecuniary 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 all too powerful or may promote corruption in a country. This limits its ability to promote the democracy and the interests of the general public. For example, interest groups force for the interest s of the manufactures may be too powerful to influence decisions that favor the manufacturers at the expense of the public. Moreover, such interest groups may finance political campaigns in anticipation that they will obtain favors in the long run.Secret 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 maintain that they promote the inequalities in the society because of the high likelihood of them being influenced by the socially 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 sure nature of power. Interests groups can also cause stagnation of democratic maturation in a society whe re one interest group blocks submission of new issues in the society. This may limit social and economic victimisation in the society. It is also important to note that the interest groups are down to individualistic interests. This is mainly because the election of officials and running the affairs of the group in not always done 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 same time bad in any democratic society. However, the large number of interest groups around the world indicates that they are successful in their mandate. They 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.