Pressure Groups

How much influence do they

have?
What are Pressure Groups?

 Pressure groups are informal political

institutions that seek to influence the
making and the implementation of public
policy
What do they do?

 They cover a broad spectrum from the

large business with high level contacts at
national and international level to the
smallest local group
Did you know…..
 More people belong to Pressure Groups than
political parties?

 The study of Pressure Groups and influence is

essential in understanding how the system
works

 Can you think of any ways PG’s are similar or

ways they are different to Political parties?
Pressure Groups are different from
political parties because
 They do not normally contest elections
 When they do, they do not aim to form a
Government
 Their campaigns are based on single
issue policies
Pressure Groups are similar to political
parties because
 They are based on representation and
participation
 They form a mechanism for the expression
of people’s interests
 They influence Government and
Government policy
 Provide funds
 Sponsor candidates
 Influence the shaping of policies
Types of Pressure Group

 Sectional Groups
Based on the performance of an economic
function
FICCI..CII
 Cause Groups
Based on shared attitudes and values
 i.e. Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Shelter
Charter 88 etc.
Differences explained
Membership Purpose Extras

Sectional Limited to a To protect May pursue

shared interests of other causes
Groups background members

Cause Those sharing Advance public Owns

Groups same welfare as premises
background perceived by and employs
members staff
Insider vs Outsider groups

 Insider Groups – Consulted on a regular

basis by Government

 Outsider Groups – Either do not want to

be closely involved or are unable to gain
Government recognition
Insider Groups
 High Profile – Re-inforce contacts with
Government through media contact

 Low Profile – Behind the scenes contact

with Government

 Prisoner Groups – Unable to break free as

either dependent on Government or public
sector
Outsider Groups
 Potential Insider – Groups seeking insider
status, a change of Government can change
status –

 Outsider by necessity – Lack the political skills

to succeed

 Ideological outsiders – Objectives are at a

varaince to social and political norms
A new Social Movement
 Wider focus than a single issue, national or even
global in it’s outlook
 No HQ, no staff, just groups linked by the
Internet, global, anarchic and chaotic
 Environmentalism is an example
 Pressure Groups i.e. Greenpeace
 Political Parties i.e. The Green Party
 Action – Protest and Direct, i.e. Rainbow Warrior
 They include a wide variety of ecologists,
conservationists, eco-warriors etc..
Victims of Social Movements
Iron Triangle of Global Multi nationals
Capitalism
 McDonald’s
 WTO  Coca-Cola
 IMF  Nike
 World Bank  Texaco
 GAP
 Microsoft
 Disney
Core targets for all PG types

The Core Executive

PM, Ministers, Civil Servants
Parliament
Public Opinion
Local Institutions
Does PGs strengthens Democracy?

 Participation and Political access

 Improvement of Government
 Information provided affects quality
 Pluralism – Freedom of Association
 PGs serve as vital links between Govt. and Soc
 Assist in the dispersal of political power
 Social Progress
 New issues to be debated, i.e. environmentalism
 Social Cohesion
 Safety valve for grievances
 Opposition
 Expose information, improving accountability
 Some Negatives...

 Sectionalism and Selfishness

 Only favour the well organised
 Anti-Parliamentary democracy
 Insider groups may not work in public interest
 Elitism
 Re-inforces existing class and power structure
 Pluralistic stagnation
 Too many groups, lots of contrasting aims, can
immobilise the system
 Social disharmony and dislocation
 Intensifies feeling of injustice by highlighted groups
 Failure of opposition