Pressure Groups

Definition

• An organisation seeking to influence decision-makers in relation to a particular issue, or policy. Unlike political parties, pressure groups do not stand for elected office.

Pluralism

• A political system where a wide range of beliefs, ideologies and ideas is tolerated and allowed to flourish. It also implies a society where many different groups are active and free to operate.

Similarities with Parties

• Develop policies they hope to implement.
• Develop policies across a wide range of concerns.
  • (PG) e.g. trade unions, Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
• Put candidates up for election.
  • (PG) e.g. Right to Life, anti-European groups.
• Recognisable philosophy.
  • (PG) e.g. UK Independence Party (UKIP), Referendum Party.
• Formal organisation.
  • (PG) e.g. trade unions, CBI.

Differences with Parties

• Parties pursue governmental power.
  • PGs influence.
• Parties put up candidates for office.
  • Most PGs do not fight elections.
• Parties adopt policies covering all aspects of government responsibility.
  • PGs have a narrow range of concerns.
• Parties must act responsibility and respect democratic process.
  • PGs can use direct action e.g. fuel protects (Autumn 2000).
• Party financing is legally controlled.
  • PGs no financial constraints.

Minor parties such as UKIP & the Green Party (started as pressure group) blur the distinction between a political party and a pressure group.

Positives

• Effective channels of communication between people and government.
• Provide opportunities for political participation by wide variety of people.
• Ensure minority interests are represented.
• Act as a control on power of the state.
• Provide opportunities for active citizenship.
• Help institutionalise peaceful conflict and so preventing disorder and instability.

Negatives

• Act as vehicle for 'vested interests', promoting own welfare at the expense of the majority.
• Some wield disproportionate amount of influence, not justified by their size.
• May not be internally democratic, reflecting views of mass membership over small elites.

Types

• Insider - close and regular contact with decision-makers, and government ministers e.g. National Farmers Union, who have always had a close working relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • Sponsorship of MPs.
  • Direct lobbying of ministers.
  • Participation in official committees.
  • Representation on quangos.
  • Evidence to parliamentary committees.
• Outsider - little or no contact with decision-makers, often due to ideological differences e.g. Animal Liberation Front are considered so extreme that no mainstream political party would bring them into political process.
  • Mass public demonstrations.
  • Petitions.
  • Campaigns of civil disobedience.
  • Media campaigns.
  • Illegal activities to gain publicity.
• Promotional (cause) - represents, or promotes, a specific…