Reinforcing Polyarchy: What Groups Do for Democracy?

Abstract

Much discussion of the role of groups has a caricature feel. On the one hand, there is celebration of the democratic merits of old-fashioned, cosy (bottom—up) organizations where, in theory at least, there is policymaking initiative at the local level and meaningful accountability of leaders to members. This is seen as ‘good’, as is the comparatively structureless participation of turning out on big demonstrations such as Make Poverty History in the UK in 2005. On the other hand, there is the less ‘respectable’ Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY) participation that is seen as self-interested, or involvement that is ‘thin’ — simply monetary — that is chequebook participation. Both the latter are poorly regarded compared with ‘real’ participation.