PRESSURE GROUPS

Pressure Groups and Democracy

Political Theory

CONTROVERSY

There are strong views on pressure groups and their impact on democracy. Some views are…

• They offer an avenue for participation and are good for democracy.

• Accountability of Government – Sarah’s idea!

• They distort democracy because they’re not representative or democratic. They entrench inequality and manipulate debate.

POLITICAL THEORIES

Three theories attempt to explain pressure group action.

• Pluralism

• Corporatism

• Elitism

Each analyses the number of effective pressure groups, the concentration of power, openness of communications and the role of government.

PLURALISM

Number of effective pressure groups: large number, diverse range of interests competing for attention

Concentration of power: decentralised and dispersed

Openness of communications: democratic political culture allowing all groups to compete for attention

Role of government: government as umpire

CORPORATISM

Number of effective pressure groups: small group of corporates (business, unions etc), self interested, policy is compromise between powerful groups

Concentration of power: highly centralised

Openness of communications: participation difficult, media present corporates’ view only

Role of government: government is part of the corporate structure and brokers deals between groups, government is more accountable to corporates than the electorate

ELITISM

Number of effective pressure groups: one exclusive controlling elite, other groups exist but are powerless

Concentration of power: completely centralised

Openness of communications: participation suppressed or ineffective, media reports only the views of the elite

Role of government: controlled by the powerful elite

APPLYING THEORY

So which theory applies in Australia?

No one theory by itself can explain pressure group activity completely.

Pluralism and Corporatism are more applicable than Elitism. Elitism is too “conspiratorial” to be regarded too seriously.

APPLYING THEORY

• Pluralism and Corporatism form two ends of a continuum. Reality is somewhere in between and may shift towards one end or the other.

• Elitism claims that democracy doesn’t exist – so its not very useful to help explain pressure groups in Australian democracy

YOU DECIDEFACTS: • Australia has between 30000 and 33000 registered groups.• Many are small promotional groups with limited influence but large

voluntary memberships. (eg Cockburn Beach protection group and Scarborough anti high rise group)

• Some are well resourced and organised groups representing powerful interests that are centrally important to the economy. (BCA, ACIC, ACOSS, Unions)

• Many groups are able to achieve influence by lobbying and direct action.

• Next to voting, membership of a pressure group is the most common form of political participation in Australia.

• Groups are much more likely to succeed than individuals who may use the “usual channels”, such as writing to their local member.

YOU DECIDE

Do you think that Australian political life is more accurately explained by the Pluralist or the Corporatist theory, or a combination of both. Argue

Time: 25 mins

Present arguments to class