Interest groups generate a great deal of controversy. Some critics even blame
interest groups for many of the problems in America. Other people, however, see
interest groups as a vital component of the American democratic system.
Pluralism
Pluralism is the idea that democratic politics consists of
various interest groups working against each other, balancing one another out so
that the common good is achieved. President James Madison first put forth this
idea in an essay called Federalist Paper No. 10 (1787), which
urged New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution. According to Madison, competing
interest groups are necessary to good government because they not only give
people a means of contributing to the democratic process but also prevent any
one minority from imposing its will on the majority. Interest groups therefore
are a vital party of a healthy democracy.
Flaws in Pluralism
Critics of pluralism contend that there is no such thing as the common
good because there are so many conflicting interests in society: What is
good for one person is often bad for others. They argue that the interest
groups interfere with democracy because they seek benefits for a minority of
people rather than the greater good of the majority. The National Rifle
Association, for example, has repeatedly blocked new gun control legislation
despite the fact that a majority of Americans actually want stricter gun
laws. Other critics argue that the interest group system is really effective
only to economic interest groups, which have greater financial resources at
their disposal. Nearly two-thirds of lobbyists in Washington represent
economic groups. Critics also argue that interest groups tend to ignore the
interests of the poor in favor of middle- and upper-class Americans, who
have more time and money to contribute.
Hyperpluralism
Other scholars have argued that interest groups have been too
successful and use the term hyperpluralism to describe
political systems that cater to interest groups and not the people. These
critics argue that too many interest groups lead to
demosclerosis, the inability of government to accomplish
anything substantial. These critics contend that the U.S. government cannot
make serious changes, even if those changes are needed, because competing
interest groups stymie the government from governing the country
effectively.
