The Public Interest and Democracy

Abstract

One of the most pressing and theoretical problems of modern politics is that of devising procedures and institutions by which collective interests may be advanced. At one time it was argued that ‘democracy’ would be adequate for this since it was thought to be, in principle at least, a system in which the ‘people’, as opposed to an irresponsible minority, ruled. However, theory and experience indicate that there is no necessary connection between democratic procedures and the advancement of common interests. Not only is there the problem of the oppression of minorities under a democracy, but also the likelihood that the system encourages the pursuit of sectional and group interests to the ultimate destruction of the public interest. Before this can be considered, however, an understanding of the concepts of public interest and democracy is required.