If the pressure group has a clear strategy, it will be successful as it will help them in many ways. The main reason is that it shall convince the government that they do actually know what they are talking about and are justified to ask the government to make the changes. The group is also likely to attract new members into the group as other people are likely to share a common interest with them.
The membership of the pressure group is likely to have an impact on the government. It’s not necessarily the size that is all important but also the complication of the group is a major factor too. The size of the group would definitely matter if the group wanted to take direct action such as a demonstration or a petition as he greater the number of people supporting the cause the more attention it will cause the government to pay. This is because as the greater numbers of electorate turn up and the government does not agree with their demands, the government may not be in power come next election – so they need to give the impression that they are listening at the very least and reach a comprise. As the turnout numbers in demonstrations are large it is likely to be reported in the mass media and so it adds to the ‘pressure’ the government has to face.
Pressure groups often now recruit members from the top universities to help organise the running of the group, as if the management look as if they are in control of the group it looks favorable on their side. University goers are also more likely to be associated with groups that have insider status and so the government is likely to listen to them.
Good political knowledge is vital for the pressure group in order to have confident discussions with the political parties and put through a strong case to them. If the pressure group has adequate financial resources they will be much, much more successful then a poorer group. The monies would be used in reporting their case in the media to add the extra pressure to the government and to gain extra support. The monies could also be used to hire professional lobbyists to push their case to the ministers; new technology can also be implemented such as internet websites from communications both externally and internally within the group.
Finally if the pressure group is likely to be of value to the society like doctors, police or firemen they would have a strong case to start with. They are likely to be on the good side of the media, as they would be reporting the stories in prime time viewing. These are important citizens for the members of the public and as recent events with the firemen’s strike shows that the government has to listen or the action they take can cause serve problems.
In the pluralist model of democracy, pressure groups play an essential role. Political parties cannot provide adequate representation for the full range of diverse interests and opinions in a modern democracy because their key function is to aggregate interests into a political entity capable of governing the country. Pressure groups enable particular interests and causes to be heard and to exert influence in public decision and decision-making, yet it is precisely the representation of specialist interests and of single issues which may give cause for concern, both in terms of the methods used to achieve objectives and of the undue power and influence which particular lobbies can exert.
Pluralists believe that pressure groups overcome the democratic deficit that builds up as most people’s political participation is to cast a vote every five years, this leading to people having little or no influence over decisions made between elections, and minority views not being represented. Pressure groups increase participation and access to the political system, thereby enhancing the quality of democracy. They complement and supplement electoral democracy in two main ways: first, by providing an important mechanism by which citizens can influence government between elections; and second by enabling opinions to be weighed as well as counted. Pressure groups improve the quality of government. Consultation with affected groups is the rational way to make decisions in a free society. It makes government more efficient by enhancing the quality of the decision making process - the information and advice provided by groups helps to improve the quality of government policy and legislation. Pressure groups are a product of freedom of association, which is a fundamental principle of liberal democracy. Freely operating pressure groups are essential to the effective functioning of liberal democracy in three main ways: they serve as vital intermediary institutions between government and society; they assist in the dispersal of political power; and they provide important counterweights to balance the concentration of power.
Pressure groups enable new concerns and issues to reach the political agenda, thereby facilitating social progress and preventing social stagnation. For example, the women’s and environmentalist movements, such as the right for women to participate in elections and groups such as green peace that look after the welfare of animals and the global environment.
Although few people would deny that pressure groups play an important role in British politics, critics have argued that this role may not be the one suggested by the pluralist model.
Pressure groups improve participation, but in an unequal way, benefiting the well organised but disadvantaging the weakly organised. In this sense, they work against - not in favour of - the public interest. Pressure groups themselves may not be representative of their members. Their officers are not usually elected. Few groups have procedures for consulting their members. As a result, the views expressed by group officials may not be shared by the group’s members. Although the views of pressure groups may sometimes be considered, they are likely to be ignored if they do not confirm with the ideology or agenda of the decision makers.
Pressure group activity gives people hope that they can make a difference. This hope is a distraction. The ruling class would rather that people put their energies into pressure group activities, which do not question the fundamentals of the system than into political activity, which seriously challenges the right of the elite to govern.
Large-scale demonstrations mounted by any group may lead to unpleasant clashes without the police, sometimes involving militants with their own agenda. This level of civil disobedience cannot be justified in today’s democratic system.
Pressure groups are an essential dimension of any democracy, yet they can endanger democracy if sectional groups undermine the public interest or if the methods they use are corrupt or intimidating.
