Pressure groups and other influences
Types of pressure groups
The Significance of Pressure Groups for Democracy
Pressure Groups' influence
Other collective organisations
Evaluate the view that think-tanks, lobbyists and pressure groups have little impact on government decisions.
Evaluate the ...
1.3 Pressure groups and other influences
Types of pressure groups
Sectional/Interest Groups: Support specific areas such as teachers & nurses etc. and includes
trade unions
Casual/Promotional Groups: Campaign for particular causes and membership is open for all.
May also form a charity like Oxfam. They also tend to benefit wider society
Insider groups: direct contact with government and civil service, their views and aims often align
with the government’s.
Outsider groups: Not closely associated with the government and tend to rely on the public’s
support to get their views heard.
Pressure Groups influence
Insider Groups
Access key decision makers to argue the case directly, this includes the big beasts - Chancellor of
the exchequer, the PM, and other cabinet members.
Provide specialist information and advice when the government is considering new legislation,
allowing them to influence the government
Target specific members of the Commons, Lords, Cabinet etc.
Outsider Groups
Mass public campaigns and demonstrations to put pressure on the government, for example,
Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain demonstrations.
Publicity stunts of various kinds - Like how XR stuck themselves to trains
Social media, e-petitions and the internet to voice their concerns and raise public support
The use of celebrities to gain momentum and support
Civil disobedience and illegal activities, such as harassing animal laboratories and abattoirs -
normally used when non-direct methods fail to attract the media spotlight.
Direct action is vital for outsider groups - it is when the public actively becomes involved in
politics, such as marches (like the ‘bollocks to Brexit’ marches) and trade union strikes.
Other collective organisations
Corporations - Large companies often lobby the government to encourage them to legislate in
certain areas. E.g., Uber lobbied to get its license to run in London re-instated after it was
revoked by transport for London.
Lobbyists - Companies who lobby to the government for their clients. The companies often hire
ex-politicians who have direct contacts to government and the civil service. The ethics of this
style is often questioned and it has been seen to become a corrupt method of law-making. E.g.,
David Cameron was caught lobbying for Greensill to help it during Covid.
Think Tanks - Research groups in particular areas with a view to change political policies. E.g.,
the centre for social justice and the Adam Smith institute.
These groups have a number of ways to exert influence on government and parliament, this includes:
1. Writing to MP.s in Parliament
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