Author: Mohammad Dawood Yusufi Eshaqzahi
Islam and Democracy (Part 11)
Pressure Groups
In the field of politics and other important and key institutions, there are always individuals who operate behind the scenes and work in the shadows. They make decisions secretly, act cautiously, and alter the course and form of activities so that every action and every decision ultimately serves their own interests.
These hidden actors, on the one hand, do not want their names to be revealed or any trace of their involvement to remain. On the other hand, they desire to possess complete power and want the effect of their influence to be felt in every decision and consultation. They avoid accepting responsibility, yet their unwritten signature can be seen at the conclusion of many decisions. In political science, these individuals are known as pressure groups, and they are distinguished from others by these characteristics of influence and exerting pressure.
Pressure groups are powerful minorities capable of influencing public opinion and the policies of society. In other words, a pressure group refers to an interest group that seeks to influence the process of public policymaking. Any social group that seeks to influence the conduct of policymakers, administrators, and legislators without formally assuming governmental power is, in political terminology, called a pressure group. Unlike political parties, these groups do not seek to acquire political power; rather, they merely seek to influence the decisions of government officials.
A pressure group is an organization that seeks to bring about its desired changes by influencing officials who have come to power through elections. Labor unions, ethnic and racial associations, churches, and similar institutions are among the groups considered pressure groups.
The history of pressure groups dates back to medieval Europe, when merchants and craftsmen came together to protect the interests of their members and formed trade guilds. During the Industrial Revolution, the first labor unions were also established to defend workers’ rights. Today, pressure groups operate in all countries of the world in various fields and seek to influence policies in accordance with their own interests.
The term “pressure group” is also associated with terms such as “lobbyist,” “lobbying,” and “interest groups.” Since the term “pressure group” carries a negative connotation, members of these groups prefer to describe themselves as lobbyists or interest groups.
Nevertheless, providing a comprehensive definition of pressure groups is not easy. Sometimes certain political parties also perform the role of pressure groups, although, generally speaking, political parties are not considered pressure groups. A pressure group is usually defined as a group that influences policies by exerting influence over the government without being part of the government itself.
Many thinkers believe that these groups often harm the public interest and disregard the wishes of the majority of the people. John Mino writes in his book:
“No pressure group has been seen that operates solely for the welfare and interests of the people.” [1]
These groups exist in all Western countries, although their methods of operation and organizational structures differ from one country to another. One of the factors contributing to the expansion of pressure groups is the gaps that emerge within systems of power and governance. For example, it is said that pressure groups have expanded as the role of political parties in representing the people has declined. [2]
Unlike political parties, pressure groups do not seek to take control of the government. Rather, they seek to influence those in power while remaining behind the scenes.
These groups claim that they operate solely to defend their own interests. However, John Mino argues that their claim of staying away from politics is, in many cases, nothing more than a deception, because these groups inevitably become involved in political activities and their primary objectives are political in nature.
Today, pressure groups have become an inseparable part of democratic political systems. The most important factors determining the extent of their influence include:
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The political culture of society;
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The administrative structure;
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The nature of the party system;
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The extent of government intervention in social and economic affairs.
These groups are not directly responsible for policymaking and decision-making. However, by organizing themselves and pursuing their interests, they influence the process of public policymaking and decision-makers. They play an effective role at various stages, including identifying and defining problems, formulating policies, and implementing policies. They also seek to place issues that are related to their interests or that threaten their interests on the government’s official agenda, so that the government may adopt a new policy, modify an existing policy, or abolish it.
In newly industrialized countries, due to the extensive influence of public opinion, various social groups, particularly formal organizations, seek to align their views with public opinion. For this purpose, organized institutions known in sociology as “pressure groups” or “coercive groups” are formed.
Therefore, pressure groups, as instruments in the hands of ruling classes, play an important role in changing and even distorting public opinion. They can indirectly alter public attitudes through means such as images, language, written materials, and the media.
Arousing public emotions and preparing people to accept particular views are among the primary objectives of these groups. They constantly employ various methods to bring public opinion into alignment with their objectives or to impose their desired views. In other words, a pressure group consists of individuals who share common interests and seek to defend those interests.
Pressure groups often play a negative role in society. Many of them are themselves influenced by groups that have no visible presence in society but, through secret intervention and hidden influence, direct social affairs according to their own wishes, whether positively or negatively, and exploit them for their own benefit.
Methods Used by Pressure Groups to Exert Influence
Pressure groups employ various methods to influence government policies and decisions, including:
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Lobbying government officials;
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Pursuing legal and judicial actions against government officials;
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Supporting or opposing political movements through electoral activities;
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Organizing demonstrations and protesting the performance of various government institutions;
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Using industrial and economic power to oppose political objectives that conflict with their interests;
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Organizing meetings and press conferences to exert pressure on the executive and legislative branches;
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Accusing the government in order to achieve their desired objectives.
Ultimately, pressure groups are also among the forces constituting a minority, and they possess a minority structure even within their own organizations. They are not only a minority in comparison with society as a whole; decision-making within their own organizations is also concentrated in the hands of a very limited circle. Although these groups appear to operate on the basis of democratic principles, in practice, most of their activities are directed and controlled by a small group of central figures.
The Press
The rule of minorities has various layers, many of which are hidden and imperceptible. Each exercises influence within a particular and important sphere and controls the direction of that sphere. These groups operate quietly but powerfully, taking steps to achieve their short-term and long-term objectives. On the surface, they appear calm and silent, but behind the scenes, they plan and carry out their activities according to their objectives.
Their primary objective is to influence society and affect the people in order to shape their behavior and attitudes according to their own wishes. According to the author, these groups prevent people from freely choosing the course of their lives or from playing an effective role, together with government officials, in reforming and transforming society. From the author’s perspective, the media are also among these influential minorities. They have become present in people’s lives and quietly influence their thoughts, embedding their ideas and objectives in the minds and consciences of the people.
From the author’s perspective, the media constitute another center of minority power, because information and communication outlets are either controlled by other centers of power, particularly economic powers, or owned by specific individuals or groups. The author notes that this issue will be discussed in detail in the section on freedom of expression; however, at this point, he emphasizes that today’s news media belong to several major empires that have created a form of media monopoly.
According to the author, these media empires pursue two principal objectives:
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Achieving substantial financial profits;
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Exercising effective power and influence in a quiet and imperceptible manner.
If we recognize the important role of the media in society and understand that these news and information tools are controlled by a limited group, we arrive at the conclusion that the media are also another instrument of minority power. In the author’s view, this calls into question the claim of “government by the people” in democracy.
One Western writer has stated regarding the media that they are not necessarily in the service of democracy because the power of the media can be observed in two dimensions:
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Influencing and exerting pressure on rulers and other political actors;
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Influencing and shaping public opinion.
Undoubtedly, the media are responsible for disseminating news and information. However, the author argues that, at the same time, they seek to consolidate their dominance and influence and to weaken the people’s ability to analyze and make independent judgments.
In democratic systems, the media are generally regarded as the “fourth pillar of government” and either criticize or endorse the performance of the government. Nevertheless, the author maintains that most of the world’s media outlets, because of their financial dependence, are affiliated with a particular group, political party, or government. He regards this dependence as evidence that the media are controlled by minorities.
To be continued…
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[1] Al-Jamāʿāt al-Ḍāghiṭah, p. 94.
[2] Manhaj al-Siyāsah, p. 131.
