Identify and explain two types of pressure groups. Illustrate your answer with examples

Insider Groups have strong links with decision-makers and are regularly consulted. This may be because these groups are acceptable to the government or helpful or the consultation process. The fact that insider groups are part of the consultation process enables them to use direct methods in order to exert influence. Insider groups can be divided into High Profile Groups and Low Profile Groups. An example of an insider group under Margaret Thatcher was the Institute of Directors. Insider groups tend to very powerful and long-term. Another example is the Prisoners group. Public sector groups such as the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance are part of the government process and so must consult regularly with government.

Outsider Groups do not participate in the consultation process, either by choice or because they are excluded by government. In the 1980s CND was excluded from any consultation process with the government because its aim was unacceptable to the Conservative government. Outsider groups can be divided into potential outsiders and ideological outsiders. An extreme example of an outsider group is the Irish Republican Army (IRA) which seeks a united Ireland but has been considered an illegitimate organization by the government. It was considered anti-constitutional because of its violent methods.