Are pressure groups good for democracy? Essay Example

government about public sentiment and determining if changes need to be made.

Pressure groups are formed to represent minority groups who do not have adequate political party representation. The members of these groups share strong opinions on specific issues and aim to offer an alternative perspective to the government. By establishing these groups, they express their desire to voice and address their concerns. These groups also promote peaceful conflict resolution and prevent chaos and instability while raising political awareness. They can collaborate with law enforcement authorities to organize non-violent protests that effectively convey their message.

Although pressure groups have positive impacts on democracy, negative factors should also be considered. One downside is that pressure group leaders may not fully represent their members, and have unchecked authority. Often, elite and self-perpetuating leaders dominate voluntary organisations, which can make them out of touch with less active members. This phenomenon was exemplified by British union leaders before the 1980s reforms. In addition, pressure groups may not equally represent all sections of society. The level of influence a group has is dependent on its resources and its relationships with governments.

Governments may prioritize larger pressure groups, disregarding smaller ones. Money and other tactics are sometimes employed by campaigners to sway elected officials, while activists may resort to illegal militant actions. For example, animal rights activists have been known to use violence to intimidate individuals into supporting their cause. Insider groups work behind the scenes and may also influence civil servants during discussions. The British Medical Association is an example of such a group.