Special interests make democracy work!

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We are a collection of special interests, and one person’s special interest is another’s job or moral crusade. If people can’t organize to influence government- to muzzle or shape its powers – then democracy is dead. – by Lobbying Is Democracy in Action by Robert J. Samuelson

Now that the election is over there continues to be discussion about the role of special interests. Most if not all of the commentary focuses on why it is bad for democracy. Both parties are promising to insure that special interests have no role to play in politics.

A book we had read decades ago on this subject – “The Process of Government: A Study of Social Pressures,” by Arthur Fisher Bentley – celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. In a review in The New Yorker on August 11, 2008, Nicholas Lemann observed: “The Process of Government” is a hedgehog of a book. Its point – relentlessly hammered home – can be stated quite simply: All politics and all government are the result of the activities of groups. Any other attempt to explain politics and government is doomed to failure. It was, in his day as in ours, a wildly contrarian position.

Robert J. Samuelson in this week’s issue of Newsweek in an article entitled Lobbying Is Democracy in Action made the same point. He stated:

We are a collection of special interests, and one person’s special interest is another’s job or moral crusade. If people can’t organize to influence government- to muzzle or shape its powers – then democracy is dead. The “will of the people” is rarely observable, because people disagree and have inconsistent desires. Of course, the “public good” should always triumph, but what represents the public good is usually debatable. The idea that the making of these choices should occur in a vacuum – delegated to an all-knowing political elite – is profoundly undemocratic. Lobbyists sharpen debate by providing an outlet for more constituencies and giving government more information.

Both the book and the article reminded us of the importance of community organizing in order to insure that all interests are part of the democratic debate. The New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness is a special interest that has and will organize to influence government to end homelessness. Thus, our job is to make democracy work for those who are un-housed or at risk of becoming homeless.

Because of the unique and challenging times that we live in, the Advocacy Network to End Homelessness will be busy in 2009 and beyond. If you have not already joined our movement, today is the best time to make a commitment. Click here to join.