How effectively do free elections, competition between political Essay

How effectively do free elections, competition between political parties and the activities of pressure groups, ensure that the - Essay Example Competition between rival political parties provides the ground for issue-based politics and thereby offering the people an opportunity to make informed choices between the different alternatives by electing leaders who best fit the job description and espouse the interests of the majority. Nevertheless, pressure groups also play a very profound role in global politics today because they put elected leaders to task, to deliver their election pledges to the people, as well as acting as the people’s watchdog, protecting and advocating for the interests of the electorates. In that case, free elections, competition between political parties and pressure groups have significant impacts on democracy, and in particular, with the pervasive increase in both the size and number of pressure groups in the world, debates have emerged regarding implications of these factors on democracy. For instance, questions have been raised concerning whether pressure groups promote democracy or whether they undermine it by impeding election of the right leadership; this paper will evaluate the effectiveness of free elections, competition between political parties, and the activities of pressure groups, in ensuring representation of the voters. Free elections are effective in ensuring the people are represented because they capture the true will and aspirations of a majority of people, which is the true essence of democracy in a free world, without undermining their voice through undercut means such as election rigging. Precursors to free elections include an impartial administration, that ensures enrolment is open to all eligible voters and casting of the vote is reasonably accessible to all, as well as, freedom from coercion, which ensures that the electorates are not compelled to make choices (Fletcher 2007, p.2). Additionally, a free electioneering process thrives on freedom of expression and association that allows all citizens to participate in the electoral debates, and tru thful election data systems that ensures that votes are counted fairly and accurately without falsifications whatsoever. In this regard, a free election is one that genuinely reflects the will of the people, and in which votes count equally, candidates campaign freely in a level playing field without restrictive infringements; allegations of dirty tricks coupled with unfair propaganda are some of the factors that undermine a free election. Leaderships who ascent to political offices through dirty tricks and unfair propaganda will hardly represent the electorates because they are a bunch of selfish self-serving individuals who owe no allegiance to the people thus they are accountable to no one in particular. Conversely, leaders who are put into office through fair elections are an embodiment of both the will and aspirations of the people thus will represent electorates effectively, because they are accountable to them. Free elections promote representation because they are the only s ource of political elites that can articulate the interests of the people through governance and democracy, unlike in dictatorships, where leadership is imposed upon the people regardless of whether it has the support of the majority of the people or whether it serves their interests. Competition between