A further distinction can be made between interest groups, some interest groups are insider groups and others are outsider groups. Insider groups are interest groups that have frequent contact with the government. These groups are sometimes invited to participate in decision making processes. In order for interest groups to gain insider group status, they need to show that they will play by the rules of government, are willing to compromise and that they can speak the language. Examples of insider groups are CBI and the British Medical Association (BMA). (Roberts 2000, p326).
The other type of group is outsider, these groups are hardly ever consulted by government because of their outsider status they are often forced to go public to get their message across. Outsider groups tend to be unwilling to play by the rules. They often use moderate tactics such as writing letters to mps, petitions and marches.
Some outsider groups become protest groups, these groups tend to have little choice about being consulted by government, since their goals are usually out of step with government priorities. These groups tend not to use moderate tactics instead engage in military tactics, such as rioting, disobedience, extremist tactics and violent tactics.
(Jones 1994, p222-224).
There are many tactics used by interest groups, such as talking to people in the civil services, financially supporting political parties, organising public campaigns with the help of the media. Other tactics include writing letters to mps, organising marches, petitions, advertisements and making up leaflets. In order for interest groups to be successful, there are many tactics that should be used. The first one is targeting the government and civil service, since more decision making is now taking place at the advice of the civil service, targeting the civil service can be very effective. Another tactic would be targeting mps, having the support of a backbench mp is seen as an advantage. There are three main ways in which mps are subject to actions of interest groups; these are sponsorship, personal interest and lobbying. In order for interest groups to be successful they require considerable organisation, skills and professionalism. The activities of pressure groups include; concentrating their efforts on the government of the day, try to educate the public about the issue in concern by organising rallies, advertising and setting up petitions, they tend to lobby government continually. ( Jones 1994 p224)
There are many arguable advantages and arguable disadvantages of interest groups. First looking at the advantages, an advantage would be interest groups are seen as a way of enhancing representative democracy. They serve as a key link between citizens and the decision makers. Another advantage would be that interest groups provide an alternative means of citizen involvement, in which ordinary citizens can become involved directly in the decision making process. Interest groups are also seen as increasing accountability and control, therefore help to hold the government under pressure which keeps the government on hold. Another advantage would be interest groups are seen to stimulate debates, by doing this they raise awareness of there cases and educate the public and decision makers and this is seen as making better policies. ( Heywood 2002, p277)
There are also many arguable disadvantages of interest groups. A disadvantage would be that there are too many interest groups trying to influence making it impossible to keep everyone happy. Creating the problem of compromising policies too much, making bland policies. Another disadvantage would be that interest groups are concerned with the particular rather than the general issue which is seen to advance minority interests against those of a society as a whole. Poor transparency and legitimacy deals take place behind closed doors which can also be seen as disadvantage since it makes it more secretive and excludes the public. Another disadvantage linked to the power of the groups would be that the ability of groups depend on resources that the group holds, certain groups have more influence since they have more resources, knowledge, money, expertise. (Heywood 2002, p277)
Pressure groups provide continous opportunities for people to get involved in democratic processes and remain an important means by which citizens can take part in politics and are still seen relevant and important today.
