Essay about Pressure Groups Do Not Enhance Democracy. Discuss.

Regardless of which groups are the most powerful, pressure group influence is exerted in a way that is not subject to scrutiny and public accountability. Pressure groups usually exert influence ‘behind close doors’ which means that the true nature of power is hence disguised. This particularly applies in the case of insider groups, whose representatives are unseen by the public and away from media scrutiny. On the other hand, pressure groups can also enhance democracy. In the pluralist model of democracy, pressure groups play an essential role. Political parties cannot provide adequate representation for the full range of diverse interests and opinions in a modern democracy because their key function is to aggregate interests into a coherent political entity capable of governing the country. Pressure groups enable particular interests and causes to be heard and to exert influence in public decision and decision-making. Yet it is precisely the representation of specialist interests and of single issues which may give cause for concern, both in terms of the methods used to achieve objectives and of the undue power and influence which particular lobbies can exert. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents provided the Government with information when deciding the law on wearing seatbelts in the back of cars. Another way pressure groups can enhance democracy is