Define a pressure group and how they can be classified.

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Define a pressure group? (5)

A pressure group is an organisation which seeks to influence policy on a single issue or a range of issues. They do not usually seek political power, they use their resources to try to achieve a set of classified objectives. They aim to influence media and public opinion to change attitudes.

In which ways can pressure groups be classified? (15)

A pressure group can be classified in ten ways. The first is sectional or non promotional which represents a section or organisation in society that is a group defending their own economic interest. Members usually hope to gain some personal benefit. (Such as trade unions and employers organisations.) The other opposing to this is a cause or promotional group which campaign on moral, political, social,  ethical or spiritual, or issues of conci8ence with no link to self gain, (e.g. human rights, abortion, animal welfare) and membership is usually open to anybody who shares a similar belief system. (Such as amnesty international and friends of the earth) The other classifications of pressure groups are insider and outsider. Insider groups often have close links with government and are allocated times to be listened to and considered, they are seen as representative and are often called upon to back the government. Outsider groups on the other hand often receive no attention from the government and have no links with them, although often receiving negative media coverage. Their methods of achieving attention are often militant.

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        Alongside these are other ways of determining pressure groups such as Local groups which may establish itself for a singular issue such as building a new road or school. Or national groups which may be part of nation wide groups who take a stand on one issue near them for example a member of Greenpeace campaigning for the abolition of a new airport plan. The group may also be called transnational which means that the group bridges ideal across many countries which recruit people to take up issues nationally, like the above example Greenpeace would be transnational.

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