In spite of this, many claim that pressure groups, whether in the US or the UK are very important tools for democratic means. They are the primary functions that help aid citizen participation, especially between elections. Pressure groups such as the National Organisation for Women (NOW) or the National Rifle Associations, despite holding single issue, still provide opportunities for ordinary people to participate in decision making. Without such group’s existence, democracy would be out the window as far as some are concerned.
A counter argument that can be made to this is that, its fair to say they aid participation, but the methods they use for participation and achieving their agendas are clearly undemocratic. In the US they use fairly direct methods that are seen as unacceptable under circumstances. The use of violence or engaging in near terrorist activities to achieve their agenda is what people definitely see as crushing democracy further into ashes for the US. Such activities have been associated with group’s i.e. Christian rights or fundamentalist forms in Iraq /Iran. During the 1990s violence erupted in America where shootings, murders and bombings broke out around abortion clinics by pro-life groups. The activities went to such an extent that these radical movements also assassinated doctors who carried out abortions. Again, it is apparent that pressure groups are a cause to the shattering of democracy in the US.
On the other hand, many still argue that they perform important functions, including policy monitoring. They scrutinise and hold the government to account in the implementation of policies, to try ensuring that promises are fulfilled, policies are delivered and regulations enforced. Indeed in legal terms, the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured people (NAACP) certainly proved influential in securing the success of the Brown V. Board of Education of Topeka decision. They managed to make it clear of all the inequalities that existed, that led to affirmative action by the ruling of the Supreme Court. As result, people claim that pressure groups are not merely there to cause injustice but to exert justice into the political world.
However, to balance this argument, many people may see them as representing public interest, but other subscribe to the fact that in the long run they are only really representing their own special interests. This can be in two different ways, firstly, through iron triangles and then through other methods. In terms of iron triangles, the term is used to describe the strong relationship between pressure groups, congressional committees and the relevant government department. All these three bind together in such as strong way that they guarantee the policy outcomes to befit all three parties involved. Many argue that obviously they develop such wall of resistance in order to benefit themselves and their members, abusing the triangle in reality. In short, people claim that they build relations with the congressional committees and departments to further pursue their own needs.
The other method was regarding how pressure groups tend to put the interest of a small group before the interests of the whole society. Again, this interlinks with the effects of pressure groups building iron triangles. Groups such as those that represent various ethnic Americans are good examples. These can include the American Jewish Congress or the Organisation of Chinese Americans. Critics view such groups as splitting society by accentuating ‘me’ rather than ‘we’. It’s argued that they spend a considerable amount of time fighting for their own special interests, whilst not adhering to the interests of the wider society.
In support of pressure groups, the final argument that is usually made regards the educational experiences they provide. Many suggest that they educate the public opinion, ensuring everyone is conscious of the dangers if the government does not deal issues of importance and the effects of decisions made by the governments too. For example, membership pressure groups such as think tanks have been particularly important in the US. They conduct research; publish reports, all to benefit the people at large.
To reach a firm conclusion, it is clear that pressure groups are to a degree very undemocratic, namely because of the methods they undertake. Yet, it must be made clear that they do perform key roles that to many seem to strengthen democracy rather than weaken it.
