Pressure groups role in democracy

Question 1

Pressure groups are good for democracy due to participation.

Answer 1

• Elections are only held every 5 years, so in between them, the UK public can get involved in pressure groups in order to ensure that officials are aware of public opinion.
  As “traditional” political participation is dropping (turnout numbers, party membership), an increase in the amount of pressure group being formed and their membership numbers increasing shows that there still is a form of political participation, where the public can pressure the government to make sure their causes are heard.

Question 2

Pressure groups are good for democracy due to accountability.

Answer 2

Pressure groups increase the scrutiny on the executive, as they criticise the actions of the government while providing evidence from an expertise view.

Question 3

PG are good for democracy.
- Minority representation -
+ Counterpoint.

Answer 3

Functional representation = Pressure groups created to represent a certain groups interests and causes:

• Minority groups
• Unpopular causes
• Overlooked issues
• Vulnerable groups

However, Elitist theory.

Question 4

PG are bad for democracy.

- Representation -

Answer 4

Pressure groups represent their own self interests.

Government represents the national interest.

Therefore PG can work against national interest, such as 2014 NHS worker strikes against public service cuts.

Question 5

Case study about NIMBYISM

Answer 5

HS2 Railway - PG working against national interest. Certain PG representing the people who are suffering from the making of the rail line (House prices decreased).

Is also an example of Hyper-Pluralism.

Question 6

What type of pressure group can hurt democracy?

Answer 6

A pressure group without internal democracy.