Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Interest groups are major players in public policymaking processes, either within the legislature or the bureaucracy. They engage the tactics of lobbying and lobbyists to incorporate their interests into certain policies that help the advancement of their members and society at large. The effectiveness of interest groups’ influence is diluted by several constraints, which range from structural and organisational to procedural and logistics. Methodology: This article, which is theoretical in nature, utilised qualitative research methods and drew its arguments from secondary data, which included textbooks, journal publications, and Internet sources. Results: This article argues that if interest groups are to explore and exploit democratic channels for their activities, they must ensure that democratic ethos are embedded in the running of their organisations. Conclusion and Recommendations: It is concluded that unless interest groups practise democracy, they cannot champion or protect it. Perhaps the most salient challenge of interest groups in Africa is finance. In developing countries, funds are limited owing to the state of the economy. This has the potential of constraining their roles and autonomy. Bureaucrats should be proactive and deeply involved in consultations and bargaining with interest groups with a view to devising policies that will meet the expectations of their target groups in particular and society in general. At this critical juncture of Africa’s developmental pursuit, this drastic and revolutionary step has become inevitable if Africa is to meet the demands of the 21st century in a globalised system.