Should we have interest groups?
Discussion Topic
Task: Reply to this topic
Political Parties now compete with Interest Groups for members, money and attention.
This is somewhat logical. Is it not a single issue or a single set of issues that lure a person into politics?
Interest Groups often presents themselves as the purer way to be civically engaged. A citizen can focus all their energy and resources on a singular agenda. A citizen may feel like he or she is accomplishing something.
However, is there not something a little risky about interest groups? Are interest groups truly equal?
Who has the time to be involved in interest groups?
Are interest groups truly representative of the cares and concerns of all Americans, or are these organizations in their very creation undemocratic?
Furthermore, unlike political parties which are made up of members with numerous policy agendas, interest groups rarely have more than a handful of goals.
They may behave like political parties – give money to candidates, campaign about a policy.
However, interest groups are outside of government. How can government function if elected officials owe their electoral success to promises made to competing interest groups, especially as these groups work outside government and are not required to compromise on legislative issues?
Therefore, have interest groups become too powerful in a republican system of government?
Do true democracies need interest groups to represent people or issues? Are they better representatives than the political party system America currently has?
Could one not argue that in a democracy, citizens should have a “voice,” but not the “special interest” apparatus” that has emerged?
What qualifies an interest as a “special interest” anyway? Is there an issue or cause that would inspire you become involved with a group?
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