Pressure Groups

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 

UNIT 1

Pressure groups

What is a Pressure group?

A pressure group is a body formed to support a cause and influence the opinion of the public and political parties. Pressure groups are not part of the government and do not seek the government office itself during its campaign.

An organised group which has as one of its purposes the need to exert influence or pure pressure on political institutions for the purpose of seeking a favourable decision or preventing an unfavourable one. they seek influence rather than political power and are outside rather than inside the government.

POLITICAL GROUPS

PRESSURE GROUPS

·         Political groups in power have been given power by the Government

·         They are only trying to influence the government policy but not to win the election

·         The seek to win the election leading to government power

·         Pressure groups tend to be focused on a single side issues or a narrow range linked to a particular group being represented

·         They appeal for voters using all the current issues in the UK

·         They are organised to fight campaigns

·         They are organisations formed to fight for power during the elections

·         If they are successful in what they set out to do they would have no further reason to exists

·         If the political group in question are successful in gaining power they may grow to have a long time future.

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PRESSURE GROUPS CAN EITHER BE SECTIONAL OR CAUSE AS WELL AS INSIDER OE OUTSIDER

CAUSE INSIDER                     SECTIONAL INSIDER

CAUSE OUTSIDER                 SECTIONAL OUSIDER

EXPLANATION OF ABOVE

Sectional pressure groups  - represent the interest of a section of society or an occupation.  Members usually hope to gain personal benefit.

Sectional groups are sometimes called ‘interest’ groups or ‘protective’ groups.

Trades Union Congress  - Trade unions are sectional pressure groups. Some businesses are represented by peak or umbrella organisations are made up of many bodies in an area and coordinate their activities.

Examples :

-          British Retail Consortium

-          Trade Union Congress

-          Confederation of British Industry

Cause pressure groups – are concerned with a moral, political, social, ethical or spiritual cause (e.g. human rights, the environment, abortion ect)

Membership is open to anyone who shares these beliefs and members may or may not have anything to gain personally.

Cause groups are sometimes called ‘promotional’ or ‘idea’ groups.

Examples

-           Amnesty international

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