Pressure Groups free essay sample

A pressure group is an association that may be formal or informal, whose purpose it is to further the interests of a specific section of society or to promote a particular cause. Pressure groups normally fall under 3 classifications, sectional which represent a specific section of the public, e. g. Age UK, promotion which promotes a particular cause, e. g. Greenpeace and finally dual-function who are a combination of both sectional and promotional, e. g. Countryside Alliance. Pressure groups can also be either insider groups which means that they have a close relationship with the government and have regular consultation with them and also take part in the decision-making process, e. g. National Farmers Union, British Medical Association and Confederation of Business Industries or they can be outsider groups which means they have little to no relationship with the government and influence government through public opinion. There are also aspiring outsider groups like the British Association of Drivers who wish to become insiders. One type of pressure group is a sectional pressure group. These types of groups represent a specific section of society and therefore they are self-interested of their own members. For example, Age UK is a sectional pressure group as it represents the interests of the elderly. Sectional pressure groups are also known as interest groups. Another type of pressure group is promotional groups. These groups seek to promote a particular cause or issues in society. As a result, they claim that they serve the whole community. Promotional pressure groups are also altruistic as the members do not need to be from a specific section of the public. Examples of a promotional pressure group are environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. One function of a pressure group is that they have an educative function. This is because they help to inform and educate the public as well as the government about politically important issues. For example, Friends of the Earth publicise environmental issues. Another function of a pressure group is that it provides the public with a form of tension release. This is because pressure groups allow people to express their interests and their concerns. For example, the Occupy Movement enabled many people to protest against the excesses of the financial world. One more function of a pressure group is that it provides a less intensive but relative opportunity for political participation. This is because the public can voice their interests without making any major commitments. For example, Taxpayers’ Alliance organise online petitions, enabling people to make their views known without such commitments. One reason why a pressure group is different from a political party is due to the fact that pressure groups only seek to influence the government, they do not seek governmental power unlike political parties. Another difference is that pressure groups are not accountable to their members for their actions whereas political parties are. This is also means that pressure groups can undertake acts of civil disobedience whereas pressure groups cannot. Also pressure groups usually have a narrow range of issues whereas political parties adopt policies across full range of government responsibility. Sectional pressure groups represent a specific section of society whereas promotional pressure groups promote a particular cause or issues. For example, Age UK is a sectional group so represents the interests of the elderly and Greenpeace is a promotional group as it promotes environmental issues. Furthermore, sectional pressure groups are self-interested, in that they are concerned with promoting the best interests of their members whereas promotional pressure groups are altruistic, in that they claim to be serving the interests of the whole community as they often do not have a specific membership. Insider pressure groups operate inside the political system through contacts with ministers, MPs, peers and officials whereas outsider pressure groups have no special links with government. For example, the Confederation of British Industry is an insider pressure group as it is regularly consulted by the government. An example of an outsider group is Greenpeace who operate outside of the political system. In addition to this, insider pressure groups take part in the development of a policy; therefore they can influence decisions directly whereas outsider pressure groups influence decision makers by mobilising public opinion. For example, the National Farmers Union helps shape agriculture policy because it is in insider, whereas outsider groups such as Age UK influence decisions by showing decision-makers that they command widespread interests and in this case, the ‘grey-vote’ It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a pressure group and a party because both may put candidates for elections. For example in the 2010, election, single-issue parties such as Animals Count and the Senior Citizens Party offered the electorate a few alternative candidates. In addition to this, Anti-abortion group have presented candidates in general elections to publicise their cause. In addition, some pressure groups may be converting themselves to parties. Furthermore, it may also be difficult to distinguish because some single-issue parties resemble pressure groups. For example, UKIP began as an anti-European pressure group, while the Green Party was little more than once an environmental campaign organisation. The BNP is also essentially an anti-immigration organisation. Some pressure groups, notably Trade Unions adopt a wide range of policies and so appear quite similar to parties. Some pressure groups also work so closely with parties and government that it becomes too difficult to distinguish their roles. For example, Unlock Democracy, which campaigns for constitutional reform is closely allied with the Liberal Democrats. Many Trade Unions also have a close link with Labour.