What Is The Point of Pressure Groups

The members of a pressure group share common interests and which seek to influence the government. This may sound as though pressure groups and political parties are the same, however they do differ. Political parties put candidates up for election, whereas most pressure groups do not. Pressure groups also do not wish to form a Government; they just wish to influence the Government that is in power. Unlike political parties, they do not produces manifestos, but they may issue literature from time to time to illustrate their argument which tend to focus on a single issue or policy.

There is also a new trend for pressure groups to lobby European politicians directly or pay Brussels-based lobbyists to do this work for them. This recognises Europe’s growing importance as a source of subsidies, and of regulations that are binding the UK. Recently, groups predominantly concerned with poverty and the environment have turned their attention to transnational institutions. For instance, Greenpeace have been active at all major global events such as the Earth Summit. These groups are now tending to bypass Governments, and instead to act against the companies who are committing the acts.

Pressure groups are good as they allow opinions of people to reach ministers between elections, and can often be the voice of minority groups. The groups allow objective information to Government and voters, so both know what action needs to be take to what problems, so both can act accordingly. They also reinforce how good liberal democracy is as it shows that outcomes do not always depend on economic resources of different groups in society. However, pressure groups can cause single-issue groups to channel enthusiasm away from elections. Well-organised groups can also corrupt minorities to drown out the voices of minorities and the public.

In theory, pressure groups are an asset in a democratic society. They allow ordinary people to participate in politics, and even small groups with little money have the chance to influence Government policy in the right circumstances, and this positive view is known as pluralism. On balance, however, the evidence tends to support the contrasting ‘elitist’ position that, although everyone is free to organise on behalf of a favourite cause, certain individuals and groups have an overwhelming advantage in winning government attention.

To conclude, the overall point of pressure groups is to influence the government in power in order to change factors for self-economic interests or for interest not based on them. These are usually done by lobby policy makers or ministers, funding political parties, boycotting firms or breaking controversial laws. The pressure groups are usually made up of people of similar or common interest, with the subjective goal, which they try to achieve via persuasion of the Government in power.