Do you find your mouth zipped when your professor asks what is a pressure group? If yes, then don’t worry lots of students find themselves in the same situation while facing this question. However, it does not mean that you don’t need to learn about it.
To get desirable grades in the academics, you need to have an accurate idea of the pressure groups. So, let’s get the complete idea about the UK pressure groups through this write-up.
Pressure definition or what are pressure groups?
You may have seen some people campaigning against the government or some other unethical things. They are pressure groups. In technical words, PGs are the organisations that raise voice to seek changes in the laws or rules. They also campaign against injustice and wrongs of the society. The influence of these organisations is strong on the public opinion and voting behavior.
This way pressure groups help you to play a role in the democracy without having a connection with a political party. These groups key factors of the democracy because:
- It promotes the free expression of the views and opinion
- And it gives a chance to the people to impact the governments and systems.
- Hence, pressure groups don’t get support in the non-democratic countries.
Now before learning about the types of pressure groups, let’s have a look at some of the facts about the pressure groups.
- A pressure group does not stand for elections.
- Some political parties are not much different from a PGs. UKIP is one such party, and Green party also started as a pressure group.
- Some PGs may have a close connection with a political party.
Types of pressure groups
In the previous section, we gave you the definition of pressure groups. Now is the time to discuss its types. There are four types of PGs, let’s get the exact idea of the same here.
Insider groups are the groups that come in the premier category. The government regards these groups as legitimate and political parties also seek advice from such groups. The influence of the insider groups is such that these groups can tweak a policy even when it is in the drafting phase. It happens because governments consult the drafted bills and laws with these groups in advance. Some of the insider groups in the UK are National farmers union, the CBI and trade associations.
As the title suggests, outsider groups are the opposite of an insider groups. These groups do not have a close connection with the government or decision makers. This way they may not get things done as per their wishes.
In other words, outsider groups are such that you may have seen protesting for a cause. This way along with the government, they also seek the attention of the people. However, it is tough for them to impact a policy as they not are involved in the debates. CND, Motor Cycle Action Group and many other animal welfare protest groups, etc. are the outsider groups.
Cause or promotional groups
The third type of pressure groups is cause groups. Its other name is promotional groups. People form these groups to campaign for or against a specific issue. They also promote some particular issues as well. So, these are the only functions they do as PGs. The examples of cause groups are CND, ASH, shelter, Greenpeace and Friends of the earth, etc.
And Interest or sectional groups
You can also refer sectional groups as interest groups. The other names of it are protective and defensive groups. Thier job is to raise voice for the interest of the specific sections of the society. The most common interests are; economic, consumer and professional interests. Some of the examples of interest groups are CBI, trade unions and the consumers’ association.
Characteristics of the pressure groups
Like all the things, pressure groups also have some features. Having the idea of the same may give you a much better idea of the pressure groups. Thus, let’s discuss the characteristics of the pressure groups here.
- The first feature of the Pgs is that they make efforts to manipulate the working of the government without having a direct control on it.
- There are some personal interests as well that urge a pressure group to influence the policy making.
- You may find some pressure groups having a link with the professional activities.
- Pgs are indirectly involved in the political activities.
- You may hear some terms such anonymous empire and legislation behind legislature. These are the terms you use to refer to the PGs. It is because these groups have strong influence over the government.
Functions of the pressure groups
What are the functions of the pressure groups? How are they helpful for the society? You may have such questions in mind. So, let’s discuss the same in this section.
PGs get the people involved
The major function of these groups is that encourage the people to do discussion and debate on a topic. They make the people aware of key issues and involve the public to discuss it. PGs can help the individuals and groups to speak about their issues with the whole public.
These groups educate people
It is evident that you may not have an idea of the all the issues of the society. Pressure groups educate you about such issues. They have a better understanding of the issues as they have a connection with it. These groups also have some experts on board. Hence, you can gain good knowledge about specific things from them.
Pressure groups encourage you to participate
Political parties take the movements of the PGs seriously. It is because these groups have a better understanding of the issues. They are also aware of how government works and what may affect its functioning. This way pressure groups spread the awareness of the same among the people. They help you to participate in fighting for a cause.
These groups focus on single issues and help the people to cure their pain
PGs raise their voice for the issues that political parties don’t want to touch because those are highly sensitive. For example, the issues related to LGBT, ban on alcohol and smoking, etc.
You may have seen some groups helping the people who have lost their dear ones in the war or some other mishappening. This way these groups help the people to cure their pain.
Pressure groups help the minorities and transfer right knowledge to the administrators
Some of the minority groups may not represent themselves. They may find it tough to connect with a political party. These groups help the minorities to connect with the administrators.
It is possible that a minister or legislature may not have proper knowledge about a subject. PGs have people with the finest knowledge about a particular subject. Thus, they can transfer right knowledge to the decision or law makers.
PGs help public policy, and it also checks and balance government
Pressure groups are very influential. They can make changes happening in the public policy. These groups also promote decentralisation of power within the government.
What techniques to pressure groups use to achieve their objectives?
You see pressure groups doing protest and campaigns, etc. All of these are the techniques that PGs use to reach their aims. Let’s get a precise idea of the same here:
Protest and demonstrations are some of the oldest methods that these groups use. These are effective methods and have even resulted in the dismissal of many governments.
As discussed above, PGs have a strong connection with the government. It helps them to do lobbying with the government and parliament. They persuade public officials to make changes in the policies as per the public and their personal needs.
Pressuring the opposition party
It is the method that an insider group uses to meet its objectives. It is because they have contacts with the political parties. They pressurise the opposition party to reach its aim.
Legal Action and direct action
Pressure groups are aware of the ways to get what they want. They have experts in their teams and have far more knowledge about a thing than the government officials. One route that PGs take to fulfil their objectives is to take legal action. Their advocates have fine knowledge and can handle a case well in the court. Moreover, these groups can also take direct action route to reach their goals. That is civil disobedience.
In the recent times, lots of revolution have started on the social media. Pressure groups use social media to mobilise the mass. Recent revolution of Egypt is the example of it.
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