Malavika G NairAIR 45 · CSE 2024 · 224 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
[Tocqueville] who was very impressed with American concept of democracy believed Civil Society including Pressure Groups was a major reason for its success compared to France.
Functional Role of Pressure Groups in Society:
Body · points
Pressure groups highlight the issues through electioneering, propagandizing and lobbying [Odegard] influencing the policies of the State. e.g. Environmental Pressure Groups in EU playing a role in its policies.
Pressure groups assert the right of the citizens [Locke] and ensures active participation in democracy.
Non accountable entities providing effective ideological oppositions to the hegemony of state [Gramsci]. e.g. Activities of forums like ADR in India.
Can use anomic methods to gain their objectives e.g. Protests by trade unions.
Creation of knowledge and information, educating masses → ASER survey by NGO Pratham on Education in India. Corruption Index by Transparency International.
Close · a summary
Dysfunctional Aspects:
[Gramsci] believes civil society like pressure groups to be part of the State's hegemonic domination. Not all sections are represented by pressure groups. e.g. too Traditional caste groups like Diamond Senar..
[Latent function]
Disruptive tactics of many pressure groups, use by non state actors impeding development e.g. IB crackdown on NGOs and FCRA norms heightened due to security concern.
While pressure groups are vital in a living democracy for effective [deliberative democracy] - [Joseph M Bassette] - they are also dysfunctional in certain aspects.