For the initial post, respond to one of the following options, and label the beginning of your post indicating either Option 1 or Option 2: (Write both options)
Be sure to make connections between your ideas and conclusions and the research, concepts, terms, and theory we are discussing this week.
First, interest groups, lobbyists, and corporations allow more voices in the political process, enhancing democracy. According to Rom et al. (2022), these groups also ensure the government has a healthy representation by increasing competition among interests. Each group competes to promote its interests, making it difficult for any one group or entity to monopolize the government. Rom et al. (2022) also indicate that interest groups and lobbyists make citizen participation in government possible. According to the authors, political actors cannot discern what the public values unless the public itself participates in the political process. Interest groups make this political participation possible. Fourthly, the activities of interest groups, lobbyists, and corporations are one method people use to help the government understand their interests (Rom et al., 2022). Lastly, these groups can influence the government to address issues typically marginalized by traditional political players.
Although interest groups bring pluralism to the government, they may also produce factionalism. Factions are created when small groups unite to fight for their shared interests in the government at the expense of the majority’s interests. Rom et al. (2022) also argue that interest groups that are monetarily, socially, or institutionally resourced have more influence and can hijack political attention. This influence may subdue or suppress the majority’s interests.
Another disadvantage of interest groups is that they promote economic bias. Interest groups, especially those representing professional and business interests, are mostly biased toward the upper-middle and upper classes. According to Rom et al. (2022), people in higher classes have more resources and time to commit to interest groups; therefore, their interests will be more represented than disadvantaged groups.
Disruptive behaviors in social movements can bring change and new order to the government. For example, street demonstrations, protests, and mass action in East Germany, Poland, Romania, Hungary, etc., helped end communist regimes in those regions (Giugni, 1998). The author argues that these protests, combined with movement mobilization, helped transform state structures, boosted democracy, and brought revolutionary outcomes worldwide.
Another advantage of disruptive behaviors in a social movement is that it helps bring attention and create awareness of an issue. Disruptive behaviors also help protect public goods, e.g., the environment. For example, in 1995, environmental groups asked consumers to boycott shell products, following the company’s plans to destroy the Brent Spar offshore oil rig due to its environmental impact (Giugni, 1998). Consumers boycotted Shell products, forcing the company to abandon the project. These examples illustrate that disruptive behavior can also create positive social change.
Disruptive behaviors reduce public support for social movements. Feinberg et al. (2020) stated, “…extreme protest actions also led participants to support the movement’s central cause less, and these effects were largely independent of individuals’ prior ideology or views on the issue.” The public considers extreme protest actions to be immoral. Consequently, their emotional connection to the movement reduces, reducing their identification with and support of the movement. Disruptive behavior can also harm others, cause property destruction, and reduce economic activity in any given society.
Disruptive methods, e.g., protests, are a form of expression because they allow individuals and groups to demand that the government and political actors address their grievances. These rights are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees the freedom of expression and free speech. Kasper (2019) reveals that the Supreme Court in Edwards v. South Carolina held that peaceful protests constitute “an exercise of . . . basic constitutional rights in their most pristine and classic form.” This ruling implies that only peaceful protests constitute constitutional rights, meaning there are restrictions on the right to use disruptive methods
Feinberg, M., Willer, R., & Kovacheff, C. (2020). The activist’s dilemma: Extreme protest actions reduce popular support for social movements. Journal of personality and social psychology, 119(5), 1086.
Giugni, M. G. (1998). Was it worth the effort? The outcomes and consequences of social movements. Annual review of sociology, 371-393. https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:83865/ATTACHMENT01
Kasper, E. T. (2019). Public Universities and the First Amendment: Controversial Speakers, Protests, and Free Speech Policies. Cap. UL Rev., 47, 529. https://www.capitallawreview.org/article/9018.pdf
Rom, M. C., Hidaka, M., & Walker, R. B. (2022). Introduction to political science. Openstax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/8-2-what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-interest-groups
Connection Between Our Culture (ANSWERED)
Determining Democracy (ANSWERED)
State Powers U.S. Constitution (ANSWERED)
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