Pressure groups. An illustration of false democracy?

[graffic]

Got me thinking yesterday when that lady from greenpeace threw some green paint all over Lord Mandelson. It was hilarious to watch and I can understand her anger at the business secretaries failure to act on green issues.

The problem with pressure groups is that they represent non-legitimate power and groups with more money and resources tend to exert greater influence on government.

In a total democracy there wouldn't be a large gap between the people and government so there should not have to be people "applying" pressure in the manner they do now.

I'm interested to know how Marxists would propose dismantling pressure groups.

[Dr Mindbender]

'pressure groups' arise because of problems created by capitalism (pollution, energy 'scarcity', the crappy treatment of animals etc and so fourth).

The marxist position? Er, there isnt one. This is because post capitalism, most of the percieved need for them, as with religion will wither away to the point of irrelevance.

[ZeroNowhere]

If people want to organize pop concerts to persuade people of things, or some crap, then they can go ahead. It means that they all get gathered together so that we can eliminate them and their music forever. So yeah, it works.

As for pressure groups, I generally don't take them seriously, and I don't really see why they would be at all significant under a democracy except as groups of people trying to persuade others of their viewpoint.

[Dr Mindbender]

If people want to organize pop concerts to persuade people of things, or some crap, then they can go ahead. It means that they all get gathered together so that we can eliminate them and their music forever. So yeah, it works.

.

in some ways i hate bono, geldof and the ''givvus your fucking money crowd'' for helping the beourgioise and middle class wash their consciences, ''right i've donated my £5 now its back to business''.

I think they mean well but in another way its counterproductive because they alienate human suffering from the popularly understood cause of where it eminates. Charity will always be an awful substitute for revolution.

[RGacky3]

I'm interested to know how Marxists would propose dismantling pressure groups.

you answered it yourself


In a total democracy there wouldn't be a large gap between the people and government so there should not have to be people "applying" pressure in the manner they do now.