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TSR Wiki > Life > Debating > Debating Help > How important are pressure groups?
A pressure group is a group of like minded people who seek to influence (put pressure on) government on a particular issue. They do not seek power through being elected.
SECTIONAL (interest) GROUPS:
-Act to further their own self-interest goals such as trade unions
PROMOTIONAL (cause) GROUPS:
-Act to further a cause not directly related to them (i.e. the greater good. E.g. the environment)
INSIDER GROUPS:
- Sponsorship of MP’s
- Direct lobbying of ministers
- Participation in official committees
- Representation on QUANGO’s
- Evidence to parliamentary committees
OUTSIDER GROUPS:
- Mass public demonstrations
- Petitions
- Campaigns of civil disobedience
- Media campaigns
- Illegal activities to gain publicity
Pressure groups increase pluralism – choice for democracy
Pressure groups and democracy:
- In theory, pressure groups are an asset in a democratic society. They allow ordinary people to participate in politics and even small groups with little money have the chance to influence government policy in the right circumstances.
- This positive view of pressure groups is called pluralism
- On balance, however, the evidence tends to support the contrasting ‘elitist’ position on that, although everyone is free to organize on behalf of a favorite cause, certain individuals and groups have an advantage
QUANGO: Quasi Autonomous Non Governmental Organisation
- Insider Group
- Group of non-elected experts who advice government
NIMBY: Not In My Back Yard
Pressure Group: factors determining success
- Size of membership
- Funding
- Insiders/outsiders
- Area/location - attitudes of local community
- Issue/cause
- Ideology/aims
- Amount of publicity - attention in media
- Methods
- Strength of opposition
- Organization of group
- Party in power - favorable?
Functions of Pressure groups
- Promote discussion and debate and mobilise public opinion on key issues
- Perform a role in educating citizens about specific issues
- Groups can enhance democratic participation, pluralism and diversity
- Groups raise and articulate issues that political parties perhaps won't touch because of their sensitivity
- They provide an important access point for those seeking redress of grievance
- They represent minorities who cannot represent themselves
- Groups can be an important and valuable source of specialist information / expertise for an overloaded legislature and civil service
- Many groups play an important role in implementing changes to public policy
- Pressure groups encourage a decentralisation of power within the political system.
- They act as a check and balance to the power of executive government
