Pressure groups

Pressure Groups

Pressure Groups …

an organized group that aims to influence the policies or actions of government through the use of lobbying and propaganda.

act as a channel of communication between the people and government.

Pressure groups; defined by three key features: They seek to exert influence from

outside, rather than to win or exercise government power.

They typically have a narrow issue focus. In some cases, they may focus on a single issue.

Their members are united by either a shared belief in a particular cause or a common set of interests.

History

First, in the pre-industrial phase from the 1830s to 1870s, charitable organizations assisting the poor represented the dominant form of association. Membership in these organization consisted mostly of middle class citizens.

… history

Second phase corresponds to the process of industrialization between the 1860s and the early 1900s. During this time, group membership began to cross class lines. This period saw the establishment of economic groups such as trade unions and employer's organizations. Moreover, agricultural groups formed in order to represent their interests.

… History

The third phase lasted from 1920 to the late 1950s and was characterized by the emergence of professional associations and promotional groups. Group membership increased to embrace progressively larger segments of the population.

… history

The fourth and present phase can be regarded as a product of post industrialism. It is characterized by the rise of groups promoting postindustrial values, environmental issues, and civil rights. In general, postindustrial democracies tend to display a higher level of pluralism than previous phases.

Types of Pressure Groups

Interest groups and Cause Groups

Insider Groups and Outsider Groups

Interest Groups

A pressure group that exists to advance or protect the (usually material) interests of its members.

Features:They are concerned to protect or advance the interests of their members.Membership is limited to people in a particular occupation, career or economic position. Members are motivated by material self-interest.

Cause groups

A pressure group that exists to advance particular values, ideals and principles.

Features:They seek to advance particular ideals or principles. Membership is open to all. Members are motivated by moral or altruistic concerns (the betterment of others).

Insider groups

A pressure group that enjoys regular, privileged and usually institutionalized access to government

Subcategories: High-profile insider groups.

Low-profile insider groups.

Prisoner groups.

Outsider groups

A pressure group that is either not consulted by government or consulted only irregularly and not usually at a senior level

Kinds:Potential insider groups.

Outsider groups by necessity.

Ideological outsider groups.

Kinds of pressures and Pressure politics Group Pressure in

the Legislature. The activities of pressure groups in the legislature are most evident in the support of a legislative proposal if it is for the promotion of the pressure group’s interest, or in opposing a bill if it is against their welfare.

Group Pressure Upon Administrators. If a pressure group fails to win the support of the legislature on a bill it is interested in defeating, it may still strive for a presidential veto.

Kinds of Pressures…

Group Pressure Upon Judges. Pressure politics has also gained access into the sanctuaries of justice- the courts.

Group Pressure Upon Political Parties and Candidates. Group pressure brought up to bear upon political parties and candidates is done through electioneering.

LOBBYING TECHNIQUELOBBY is a “term derived from the Halls of Britain’s

House of Commons” where people could, and

still do, approach member of the Parliament to plead

their cause.

LOBBYISTS are groups that aim to

pursue campaigns to oppose a bill or to

organize an advertising campaign aimed at

raising people’s awareness with the

public.LOBBYING is thus a technique of influence, helping INTEREST

GROUPS advance their common goals.

TYPES OF LOBBYINGDIRECT LOBBYING

Act of communicating a specific position directly to a legislator, staff member and any other public official who has a voice in a piece of legislation

GRASSROOTS LOBBYINGCommunicates a particular view

regarding a specific legislative proposal to the general public and persuades citizens to relay this view to their local legislators.

Functions of pressure groups

Representation

Political participation

Education

Policy formulation

Policy implementation

REPRESENTATIONPRESSURE GROUPS provide a

mouthpiece for groups and interests that are not adequately represented through the electoral process or by political parties.

*FUNCTIONAL REPRESENTATION - alternative to the formal representative.

POLITICALPARTICIPATIONPRESSURE GROUPS convince people

effectively to develop interest and participation from broad based discussions on pressing issues affecting them.

EDUCATION

PRESSURE GROUPS operate largely through their ability to communicate with the public and raise political consciousness

POLICYFORMULATIONPRESSURE GROUPS are a vital source

of information and advice to governments.

Policy implementation The role of some pressure groups

extends beyond trying to shape the content of public policy to playing a role in putting policy into practice.

STRATEGIES OF PRESSURE GROUPS

INTEREST GROUPS IN THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

monitor the preparation of a legislative bill look for a legislator to introduce it influence the committee and subcommittee to which it is

assigned follow it through hearings, subcommittee vote, full committee

vote, and house voteINTEREST GROUPS IN THE EXECUTIVE

DEPARTMENT employ about the same strategies they practiced with

lawmakers providing the concerned agency research statistics and factual

information personal communication with executive officials through hired

contact men other publicity campaigns and propaganda tactics

INTEREST GROUPS IN THE JUDICIARY manipulating what could be court decisions

OTHER STRATEGIES OF INTEREST GROUPS

POPULAR SYMPATHY AND APPEALS TO THE

PUBLIC

PARLIAMENTARY TACTICS AND

SHEER DEMONSTRATION

SUPPORTING POLITICAL

PARTIES AND CANDIDATES

VIOLENT MASS ACTION

Factors affect the power of individual groups:

Wealth

Size

Organization and Leadership

WEALTHBusiness groups have a number of key

advantages over other groups:  As the main source of employment and investment in

the economy, all governments, regardless of their ideological beliefs, must seek their cooperation and support.

 They possess knowledge and expertise that are

essential to the formulation of economic, industrial and trade policies.

 They possess the financial strength to employ

professional lobbyists and public relations consultants, and to make donations to political parties.

 They often have high public profiles, have access to

the media and can run advertising campaigns.

SIZELARGE GROUPS CAN CLAIM TO REPRESENT

PUBLIC OPINION. Government listens to them because, at the end of

the day, their members can have an electoral impact. MORE MEMBERS MEANS MORE

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS. Large groups tend to be wealthy groups A LARGE MEMBERSHIP ALLOWS GROUPS

TO ORGANIZE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND PROTESTS.

Groups such as trade unions use their members as a key resource. Members are the main people who turn up to marches and demonstrations.

ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIPOrganizatio

n helps groups to mobilize

their resources effectively and to take concerted

action. Some

groups are easier to organize

than others

The attributes of an effective leader include:

 ACUTE POLITICAL SKILLS – they

know how the policy process works, who to network with and how to exert pressure

 GOOD POLITICAL CONTACTS – they

know the ‘right’ people DEVELOPED MEDIA AND

PRESENTATIONAL SKILLS – they know how to put a case

 A HIGH PUBLIC PROFILE – they are

publicly recognized and maybe even liked

How do pressure groups exert influence?

Ministers and civil servants

Parliament

Political parties

Public opinion

Direct action

Which pressure groups are the most powerful?

Affecting government policy –

policy-making power

Pushing an issue up the political

agenda – agenda-setting power

Changing people’s values,

perceptions and behaviour –

ideological power

The rise of pressure-group power

The growth of cause groups

The widening of access points

Globalization

The decline of pressure groups

The end of corporatism

A decline in meaningful and active

participation

How do pressure groups promote democracy? Supplement electoral democracy

Widen political participation

Promote education

Ensure competition and debate

How do pressure groups threaten democracy? Increase political inequality

Exercise non-legitimate power

Exert ‘behind the scenes’

influence

Lead to the tyranny of the

minority