Interest Group Politics: A Dilemma Of American Democracy

A troubling dilemma lies at the core of American democracy—interest group politics undermines American democracy by bringing inequalities into its political process; but, in the meantime, it serves as a necessary ingredient of American democracy for its role in facilitating political freedom.Major theories about interest groups are first presented in the thesis, most of which point to the inevitable selfish nature and the"evil"side of interest groups. With these theories in mind, the author employs cases, statistics and theories to expose the major inequalities brought by interest groups into American democracy, and classify them into four categories, namely, inequalities in group forming, maintaining, operating and resources.In spite of the fact that interest group politics tends to undermine democracy, the author argues that interest groups are a"necessary"evil for American democracy. In a free society, people have the right and freedom to pursue their self-interest within the law and petition their government. In addition, interest groups play important roles in enhancing political participation and promoting citizens'freedom.Repeated efforts made by the American government to reduce the inequalities and bias in the interest group system have not so far born fruit.This thesis arrives at the conclusion that interest group politics poisons American democracy for sowing inequalities in American political system; and, in the meantime, interest groups further democracy for their roles in expanding political participation and promoting freedom. This conflict between political freedom and equality is deeply rooted in the American political system and the dilemma will never be solved so long as American political system is there.