Democracy: Minority Rule and Rejection of the Majority
In politics and other important organizations, there are always individuals operating behind the scenes. These individuals move in the shadows, making decisions secretly, cautiously carrying out operations, and subtly changing the course of activities to ensure that every action concludes in their favor.
On one hand, these invisible figures prefer not to have their names mentioned and leave little trace, much like the slimy movement of a snail. On the other hand, they desire complete authority, and the traces of their influence can be seen in every decision and consultation. They avoid responsibility, and their unwritten signatures can be found at the foot of every completed project. These individuals are commonly known as pressure groups in the political realm, identifiable by their behavioral characteristics and exertion of influence.
Pressure groups are powerful minorities that can dominate the general public in society and influence policies. In other words, the term “pressure group” refers to interest groups that attempt to affect the public policy process. Any social group that seeks to influence the behavior of policymakers, administrators, and legislators, without attempting to gain official control of the government, is called a pressure group in political terms. Unlike political parties, these groups do not seek to gain power; rather, they simply want to influence the decisions of the authorities.
A pressure group is an organization that aims to influence elected officials to implement desired changes. Pressure groups include labor unions, ethnic and racial associations, churches, and similar organizations. The history of pressure groups dates back to medieval Europe when merchants and artisans banded together to create trade guilds to protect the interests of their members. During the Industrial Revolution, the first trade unions emerged to defend workers’ rights. Today, pressure groups of diverse backgrounds operate in countries around the world, seeking to influence policies according to their interests.
The term “pressure group” is associated with terms such as “lobbyist” and “interest groups.” Due to the negative connotation of “pressure group,” members of these organizations often prefer to be referred to as lobbyists or interest groups. However, defining pressure groups comprehensively can be challenging. Sometimes, political parties can be part of pressure groups. While conventionally political parties are not considered pressure groups, they can influence policies just like any other pressure group. Typically, pressure groups are those that seek to influence policies by affecting governmental decisions without being part of the government themselves.
Most thinkers agree that these groups often harm public interests and ignore the will of the majority.
In his book, John Minow writes about these groups: “There has never been a pressure group that strives for the common good.”
These groups have existed in all Western countries, but their types and methods of action vary from one country to another. One contributing factor to the formation and emergence of pressure groups is the vacuum that can arise in power and governance; for example, it has been suggested that the number of pressure groups increases when a political party withdraws support from a popular leader.
Pressure groups do not intend to take over the government like political parties; rather, they aim to influence the rulers while maintaining a degree of secrecy.
While pressure groups claim to work solely for their own interests, John Minow acknowledges that their assertions of staying out of politics are often nothing more than a façade. Pressure groups are compelled to engage in political activities, and the primary goals of these organizations are indeed political in nature.
