... issues are being addressed. In other cases we are not active, but are nevertheless being passively represented. Even the smallest minorities are likely to enjoy such benefits. So pressure groups have important representative functions to perform. 3. Participation A passive citizenry is often seen as a danger to democracy. When people do not involve themselves in political activity there is a strong probability that government will become dictatorial, safe in the knowledge that its power is unlikely to be challenged. Political activism is therefore important both to prevent excessive accumulation of power and to ensure that government remains accountable to the people. With declining levels of popular involvement in political parties, pressure groups have provided a vital opportunity for political participation 4. Minority interests But perhaps the most important democratic function of pressure groups is to ensure that all of us, in small or large groups, are taken account of, protected and awarded equal ...

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