Pressure groups promote pluralist democracy as there are a numerous amount of pressure groups and there are no restrictions of formation. National farmers union, Men Cap, CBI and Royal College of Nursing. All aim to influence policy and decision making. Methods used are to seek insider status. These numerous pressure groups all have the right to do this as they don’t have restriction on formation. Example of this could be CBI. Confederation of British industry welcomed a new business friendly government in 2010. This influenced government to reduce corporation tax on company profits by 94% over 4 years. This shows that pressure groups promote pluralist democracy in the UK.
Another way pressure groups promote pluralist democracy can be that government listens. They listen to pressure groups and act upon their concerns which show that pressure groups promote pluralist democracy. Since different political beliefs are tolerated and allowed to flourish, government gets the chance to hear and change in our society. For example Action on Smoking and Health had influenced government to have a ban on smoking public places in England and Wales which was secured in 2006. This evidence therefore suggests that government listens and proves that pressure groups promote pluralist democracy.
However there are arguments against pressure groups promoting pluralist democracy.
New right criticism could suggest pressure groups do not promote pluralist democracy. New right criticises saying that pressure groups are the reason for a rise in taxation and public spending. Groups that represents teacher and other public sector works, for example The National Union of Teachers. Who campaign and achieve pay rises, lead to an increase in public spending. This therefore supports the fact that pressure groups do not promote pluralist democracy.
Another argument against pressure groups promoting pluralist democracy could be representation. The representation of pressure groups shows that it does not promote pluralist democracy. There are many groups that claim to represent the minorities. For example shelter represents the homeless and aids represent people with HIV or AIDS. However there is no single voice and so the group with the most money and resources are more likely to be listened to and so this is unfair. This suggests that pressure groups do not promote pluralist democracies most pressure groups are denied to influence.
Overall In Conclusion, pressure groups do promote pluralist democracy because it makes government more efficient as the Pressure Groups put pressure on the government to make the decision that is best for the public.
by
mati008 (student)
