What is the role of Interest groups in Contemporary British Politics?

Everyday individuals and societies groups are given right to pursuing beliefs by the existence of interest groups.  They provide the link between the like minded and the source of action to correct the wrongs seen to exist in the political world.

Interest groups undertake two things, advancing their ideas and satisfying its members.  For promotional groups such as CND and Green peace this can be conflicting as they promote ideas that are not directly related to membership.

Type of interest group can affect the relations with government, which in turn can define the role of the group.  Government and group relations are mainly concerned with insiders but this status must first be earned.  They use parties or government to gain policy influences.  Government use interest groups for information in their specified area.  This can be recognised as a deal between two bodies.  Government is not easily drawn to use of interest groups.  Strong criteria must be met for interest to be shown.

Membership and its organisation create authority which political powers will take note of.  The nature of the body is important.  If the members hold powers to disrupt society, for example by striking, then this will be determining.  Groups must be compatible in thought with government objectives and public views.  If aims are in sync superior relations with the government should suffice.  Similarly powers will not wish to tarnish their appearance by upsetting the public.  Negatively insider groups may become sidetracked by the higher powers that organisation brings and membership must be shown satisfactory progress to keep faith in the group.

The action of outsiders is much less peaceful than insiders; the unconventional methods of direct action are increasing respected however.  This is action that is often physical and high profile, such as a protest.  Whether a group chooses or not, it may not always be open to conventional methods of action.  Even so conventional methods are slow and direct action shows the passion cause groups hold. Cause groups that operate direct action take the role of allowing individuals to realise the extent of their own power.  It is the most fundamental way of people using their power.  They allow people who hold different views to feel like they are actually doing something for their cause. These are important roles on a personal level.  

In contemporary British politics it is not unusual for membership of one interest group to overlap with another. If the interests held are of a similar nature a sensible assumption that membership is duplicated is reasonable.  This is important, as the public is where funding lies, skills and knowledge acquired and the fundamental power of a pressure group formed.

The self-drive for gaining cost effected accessibility to the political system moulds the way that interest groups interact amongst themselves and other bodies.  This focus contributes to their determining role.  Insider groups have links with other bodies central to politics as well as parties and government.  The will of an interest group to access directly into policy, without undergoing the cost of other direct action along with the right requirements makes for an insider group.  Seeking to obtain membership of specialist bodies like advisory committees and links with ministers for enhance of progress defines an interest group.  When government recognises a group for it status then it may be invited into pre-legislative consultation.  Government and group discussion is of greater affectivity if carried out before legislation emplaced as governments may then use additional information to tune policy to achieve more closely its intentions.  Interest groups strength of influencing policy is greater over that being written than that already existing.

A recognisable proportion of interest groups will always attempt the path of an insider group, influencing at the central power due to its benefits.  A change in the hands of power due to the EU will therefore disturb the role of interest groups.  Britain joining meant a shift of power from London to Brussels in many areas and so interest group pressure has moved too.  The idea of “Europe” brings rise to many issues that affect interest groups.  Changes in legislation, policies to enhance competition and equality within the market are issues and the source of funding for such integration and structural change may not please everyone.  Interest groups will question the decision on the development of certain technologies and, of cause the state of the environment.  This reduction in influence by national governments and the laws passed in Brussels mean that offices are set up by pressure groups in the area to lobby.  Here the role of interest groups changes as interest groups from different countries form to create “Eurogroups” increasing membership base.  This brings a whole new dimension to pressure groups but not without problems.  National differences mean that policy can prove difficult to agree on and can negatively effect aims.

The media shapes interest groups furthermore as manipulation of the media is the only way to influence the public nationally.  Weekly 74% of outsider groups contact the media and 86% of insider groups.  The fact that insider groups recognise the power of the media emphasises its importance and shows one of interest groups roles concerns the media.  

Economic interest groups make up a moderate proportion of interest groups and their concerns lie in the areas of monetary and fiscal policy.  Trade unions make up the main economic interest groups and have closer links with political parties and the government than any other.  This power stems from their contribution to the formation of the labour government and results in their strong access to the political system.  As well as furthering interests they attempt to fulfil the wishes of its members, the labour market.  As Trade unions have history with one particular party the role of this interest group can change depended on who is in power at the time.  Government can shape the role of interest groups by the addition or removal of power from trade unions.  This could be to kill the threat of pressures on wage rates or help to increase employment levels.

CBI and the Institute of directors are other economic interest groups.  Large businesses themselves are thought of as pressure groups as their interests are united and they co-operate with the government attempting to influence policy for gains in profit.  They are organised, its members are staff and their specialisation business policy.  “Tripartism” is the term given when economic interest groups and governments discuss and negotiate policy.  It is not often extremely effective however as governments do not like it to become a major role for businesses as it gives them too much power.

Pressure groups bare a hold over democracy.  By assembling people with similar beliefs, individuals’ freedom to be heard increases in power.  This creates movement of power downwards, away from central institutions resulting in a fairer democratic society.  Continuality of political action furthers democracy as it gives constant amendments and reviews to policy.  Without interest groups the process is not flowing, with the government only being elected every four years.  Interest groups bring to the public attention government activity ensuring correct methods are in place.  The pressure applied by individual concerns is what gives interest groups this power.

However insider groups may be seen to be of greater power as their more structure orientated approach means their leadership can still be viewed by some as elitist.  The powerful in these groups may seek to further their own interests and not those representative of membership.  On the other hand outsiders are unable to use the same ease of access at points close to power as there more organised equivalents.  These events will hamper democracy.

Also the governments dealings with multiple pressure groups complicates and stutters the decision making process.  As interest groups are specialised in one policy area this is unavoidable.

Different types of studies can be applied to pressure groups, Marxism, Pluralism and Corporatism.  The main train of thought appears to be pluralism.  This is where the range of interest groups applies pressure on the state and seeks to further their interests in their policy area.  The sheer number of groups means many affect the policy process and so power over influence is thinly distributed.

A corporate view is that a complex industrial society forces the state to call on the specialist knowledge of interest groups not only due to the information they hold, but in a broader sense their power.

These two are similar in that they see pressures from interest groups, to a degree determining policy.  The theory of Marxism is different and does not agree with this.  Instead it sees pressure groups more separate from policies and the theories concern lies with labour and capital.

It is clear that the determinacy of interest groups role in politics is dependant on the views held on the interpretation of pressure groups and policy making.

Today there is evidence to show that interest groups in politics are effective.  Tony Blair’s labour government has passed legislation such as the minimum wage due to trade union pressures.  Also not only insider groups have been effective in influencing policy.  Labour “gave a crucial exemption to Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula one racing business regarding the ban on tobacco advertising”.  This shows outsider groups with power can be effective.

In conclusion it is clear that interest groups are a contributing factor in politics and evidence shows that they are still influencing policy outcomes, their main role in society.  However not enough attention is paid to the relationships between pressure and interest groups amongst themselves and with the state as opposed to the differing types of interest groups.  On defining a role for interest groups different theories on pressure and policy should be considered and I have found that the way that people must approach analysis of interest groups as to their role needs to be more diverse and wider in thought.

Pressure groups influence but, do not necessarily promote democracy in the political system, they can reinforce already powerful forces in society increasing the gap.  They improve participation in politics but the more organised can have natural advantages.  Pressure groups give freedom for certain but pluralistic stagnation can result when two groups opposing interests cancel each other’s progress.  Also by allowing freedom of expression, rise of knowledge concerning political instability can frustrate the economy.

Regardless of positive and negative factors brought on by interest groups they play a predominant role in contemporary British politics.  There role is to educate public about issues of importance in current democratic society and they encourage political participation like no other groups do.  Although it may not always benefit them or society their role is to serve individuals politically in ways elections, campaigns and political parties cannot.