Does 'hyperpluralism' have a negative or positive influence upon democracy in the U.S.?

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Does 'hyperpluralism' have a negative or positive influence upon democracy in the U.S.?

In order to answer the question posed it would be first appropriate to define the term hyperpluralism.  “Hyperpluralism is the theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened, an extreme, exaggerated, and perverse form of pluralism”[1] Therefore hyperpluralism states that due to a large number of groups it becomes difficult for government to effectively and efficiently govern as excess compromise and time is required.  However the source illustrates a negative view on its influence upon democracy. Other definitions provide a greater positive influence “hyperpluralism consists of a network of groups which exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas”.[2] Therefore suggesting that groups are able to amend policy which is unpopular or ineffective and therefore express a positive influence on a government’s democracy.

As the sources illustrate hyperpluralism is based upon the influence of groups otherwise known as interest groups which is “any group that is based on one or more shared attitudes and makes certain claims upon other groups or organizational in the society”.[3] The influence in which interest groups have upon government is described through the interest group theory; where similar to hyperpluralism it suggests that either as a positive or a negative manipulate interest groups [4]

Interest groups have had an increasing presence in the US “57% of Americans in comparison to 47% in Great Britain and 29% in Italy hold a membership in a voluntary association”[5] therefore it is an issue that has a large impact on American politics and government. There are a number of positive and negative attributes associated with interest groups. One of the key positive impacts of interest groups is that it allows for public representation known as the pluralist view. The voice of a group generates greater influence and therefore can have a greater say in public policy and legislation than a single voter. For example large groups such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) which consists of 35.7 million members [6] have great influence on social security policy for the elderly from an economic and health prospective. Recently the AARP supported bills to be passed in order to subsidise and make more affordable healthcare for the elderly.[19] But also implemented additional legislation to the bill in order to gain greater benefit to its members. The AARP also highlighted other issues that were not on the bill highlighting an interest groups power to raise issues that are not covered by the government and educate legislatures. This therefore expresses the positive value of interest groups. Another benefit relating to hyperpluralism is the breakup of monopoly held by political parties. Interest groups actively seek to influence and alter party legislation in order to benefit a particular active area. This therefore stops political parties monopolising policy and governmental decisions.

Another factor is that it generates civic activism. “The emergence of public interest groups has done more than any other factor to stimulate political action and attention in America”[15] This has clearly been shown through the recent events in America especially the “tea party” movement. The movement focuses on the pluralist ideal representing true American voter’s beliefs over the country’s current policy issues, including the economy, healthcare and social reform. The movement has allowed for Americans to express their opinion which is shared with other voters creating an interest group which has great influence over American political parties legislative and policy making. More famously the civil rights movement during 1955-1968[8] consisted of a number of interest groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) gained great support and civic activism during the fights for civil and social equality. This created mass media attention and as a result there was a “250,000-strong crowd of civil rights protesters at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.”[9]

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However interests groups have been accused of a number of negative impacts. One of which is that too any groups can cloud the judgments of political parties “200,000 different organisations exist on the state and local levels of American politics”[10] With great numbers of groups each emphasising an own particular interest in an area of legislative it can create a excessive compromise which may dissolve the key ideas of the original policy and therefore may not act strongly or effectively enough. For example if we look at the number of health and medical interest groups in America these include most ...

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