Unions, medical staff and health campaigners protesting in London against closures of maternity and accident and emergency units, the loss of hospital beds and the threat of privatisation in hospitals, 18 May 2013
Patricia Phillips/Alamy
Pluralist democracy and functional representation are two concepts associated with pressure groups that have been widely misunderstood. This article provides a starting point from which to explore them further.
Pluralist democracy (Box 1) can be defined as a variant of liberal democracy in which political power is widely dispersed and citizen participation occurs largely through organised pressure groups (as opposed to the traditional way — through voting in elections). Membership of these groups enables people to promote their diverse views, interests and grievances to government.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
