Pluralist democracy Essay

Pluralist democracy works with numerous organised congregations who in all constitute near semi governmental power in the stopping point-making setting. It assumes that its unbiassed government who listens to, and acts on the outcomes of these competing interests. Thus the large number and operation of pressing groups is considered to be a vital element in the promotion of pluralist democracy. thither be considerations that twitch groups strengthen pluralist democracy. An course for this encompasses that the existence of varied numerous pressure groups support the theory of pluralism.The modern political culture in the UK arse be referred to as being one of pluralism in nature. This pith that we expect a wide range of groups, interests, beliefs and ideologies to flourish together, all competing for forethought and influence. The UK is a fundamentally free society, tolerant of different cultures, ideas and demands. As great as a group does not break the law, threaten th e certificate of the state or incite others to commit crime or succeed racist ideas, it will be tolerated and protected from discrimination. Thus, pressure groups ar up to(p) to operate in an extremely free and tolerant environment.In short, they atomic number 18 a key element in a pluralist society. Another argument that suggests pressure groups strengthen pluralist democracy is that pressure groups be a distribution channel of poseation between the people and the government, belongings government in stir up with in the public eye(predicate) opinion. Whether we take an active part or not, pressure groups represent our interests to those who govern. In virtually all our activities there is probably a group that is encounterking to secure favourable legislation or decisions and to avoid disapproving ones.As motorists, hospital patients, students, environmentalists, workers, and so on, we sewer be sure there is a group that is fighting our corner. In any(prenominal) ca ses we may be active members and so know exactly what issues are being addressed. In other cases we are not active but are unless being passively represented. Even the smallest minorities are likely to enjoy such(prenominal) benefits so pressure groups have important representation functions to per blueprint. Additionally, the government openly accept the existence of pressure groups and involve them in decision making.They are a key part in the governing process. Their involvement at all stages of the policy and decision-making process helps to inform government itself and ensures that the interests and impressions of sections of the pubic are taken into account. In this sense, they can improve the quality of policy making. Governments also take into account the claims of pressure groups when making decisions. Pressure group operation in itself serves to enhance pluralist democracy by providing culture and education to the public.It is sink that groups offer a considerable am ount of randomness to the people. They are, by definition, separatist of government (if they were not, we could not describe them as pressure groups), so we are receiving important messages from which we can make sound judgements. Of course, we cannot always rely upon the information being totally accurate, but if we combine all the various sources of information available to us we are able to form some diversity of reasonable judgement. So, pressure groups certainly help to inform and educate us, which enhances a pluralist democracy.Pressure groups can be considered to widen the access to power and decision making for the mass of the citizens. The conventional view of pressure groups is that they help to disseminate power more widely. This would be seen by most commentators as an enhancement of democracy. Governments and parties tend to concentrate power in the hands of leaderships. Pressure groups, meanwhile, can empower their wider memberships. They represent the full range of the population and allow many voices to be heard.As long as they have any influence, they crock up the politically active part of the population access to decision makers, every directly or indirectly. We see this particularly effectively when considering mass-membership groups such as Age UK or unions representing public service workers. However, there are arguments that pressure groups weaken pluralist democracy. Pressure group activity can be viewed as elitist from several perspectives. When we look at the wealthy, strategically important groups we can see evidence of elitism. Some pressure groups may, in fact, concentrate power in the hands of a few.Governments favour certain groups who share their views or are at the time electorally beneficial to their cause. The banking lobby can be seen as a prominent example, as can the various producer groups representing major industries. Producer groups, in particular, tend to represent their shareholders and management rather than their workers (a view that might be contested on the grounds that what is good for the fabrication is also good for its employees). When such elite are insider groups, they might form powerful elite in combination with government.Ministers who are more influenced by group leaderships than by wider memberships could be accused of further elitism. This can be related to outsider or insider status. Some groups because of their economic power have more influence than others and this causes a disruption of the pluralist democratic position. Some groups can afford advertising to get their message across and thus they obtain their power. Related to their position in society is the issue of wealth. Clearly some groups have access to considerably more funds than others.All those sectional interests that represent employers and business in general inevitably have furthermost more finance available to them than charities, which have to rely on hand-outs from the public or scarce lottery fu nding. The banking community is a similar example. In particular, wealthy groups, including individual companies, have adopted the practice of giving donations to political parties. Clearly they are hoping for a sympathetic attitude if their chosen caller wins power. Perhaps more seriously, in 2006-07 it was alleged that a number of individuals had donated to political parties in return for the granting of peerages.The so-called cash for peerages scandal did much to demoralise faith in British democracy and further highlighted the issue of indefensible influence by those who command great wealth. In conclusion, pressure groups do strengthen pluralist democracy through its pluralism, representative function in keeping the government additionally in-touch with public views, role of educating the public on issues and empowering them with apprised decisions after pressure group observation, and their acknowledgement and influence on some government decision-making. It is more that f ixed elitism holds pressure groups back from pure pluralist democracy.