Pressure Groups Analysis - Term Paper Example

Pressure groups [Supervisor’s Table of Content Table of Content 2 Introduction 3 Aims 3 Functions of the Pressure groups: 4 Types of Pressure groups: 4 Sectional or Interest groups: 5 Peak Associations: 5 Public pressure groups: 5 Economic pressure groups: 5 Fire brigade groups: 6 Episodic groups: 6 Insider and Outsider groups: 6 Pressure groups and their relations with government: 6 Factors to determine the success or failure of a pressure group: 7 Wealth: 7 Size: 8 Leadership: 8 Conclusion: 8 References 9 Pressure groups Introduction Pressure groups are referred to as the interest group or the lobby group, which influences their opinions on the government’s decisions. This paper discusses about the formation of the pressure groups and their aims in influencing the government in taking some preventive measures. These groups avoid taking part in the elections but they have the power to convince people through their actions. Furthermore, this paper would discuss different types of pressure groups and their role in the democracy. Moreover, the paper will help to analyze the factors, which help to determine the success or a failure of those pressure groups. Aims The term ‘pressure group’ was coined after the post World War II era to put pressure among the higher authorities that has the power to make decisions. These pressure groups do not take part either in the elections nor do they have any interest in seeking power of the political office, their aim is just focused on implementing their opinions onto the powerful authorities (Baggott, 1995). Most of the time these pressure groups compete against the other pressure groups to make their demands fulfilled but when their aims are common, they often work together to achieve the shared interest. These pressure groups have increased rapidly in the 20th century duet to the increase in population around the world, advancement in the technology due to which many groups have started to raise their voices in the social media networking, the society is becoming more diverse and the increase in the welfare state has given rise to the pressure or interest groups (Walter & Zürn, 2005). Functions of the Pressure groups: The pressure groups are considered as a mouthpiece for the members operating the group, which are not elected through formal electoral processes nor are they a part of any political parties but however they sometimes assist the parties in achieving their goals. Their main function is to mobilize the public opinion and persuading the government through different means in adopting the policies outlined by these groups. They educate the general public about specific issues from which they are unaware and they represent the minorities who are unable to represent themselves (Key, 1978). The other most common function of a pressure group is to develop and recommend laws and policies and to ensure that these laws are implemented. These groups make the democracy healthy by indicating different issues to the government that have been overlooked. They are always scrutinizing the government policies and providing recommendations in order to improve them. It works as a source through which people could get their voices heard (Castles, 1967). Types of Pressure groups: There are many different types of pressure groups, which are listed below: i. Sectional or Interest groups ii. Peak associations iii. Public pressure groups iv. Economic pressure groups v. Fire brigade groups vi. Episodic groups vii. Insider and Outsider groups Sectional or Interest groups: These groups promote the interest of a particular division or a section of a society therefore all the members of those sections support the group and create a pressure on the decision-making authority to take actions. Professional bodies and the trade unions are considered to be the sectional group, which aims to recruit all the eligible members who are related with the sections (Watts, 2007). Peak Associations: This type of group focuses on to influence the standard procedure and processes in to the system. Peak association is considered more as a business people groups that addresses and promote the common issues among the companies while adhering to the laws and rules (Watts, 2007). Public pressure groups: These groups are related to influence the public policies by involving the general public and stand against the issues, which they consider to be unethical or unacceptable in the society. Global warming is considered to be a major issue that has prevailed and taken its deeper roots in the world and many groups have been formed which seeks the protection of the environment from global warming (Key, 1978). Economic pressure groups: These pressure groups consist solely of business people and trade unions, which can create an impact on the economy of the country. It consists of many big organizations that protect their interest by funding their campaigns, which makes this group comparatively more powerful than the other pressure groups (Key, 1978). Fire brigade groups: These are the groups that are formed for a limited period of time for achieving a particular aim and once that aim is achieved, these groups are then disbanded. These groups have a specific purpose and they collaborate with their members to attain their goal (Key, 1978). Episodic groups: These groups are considered to be non-political groups, which stand against the government if their interests are threatened. The education group or sports group are some examples of these groups which works under the government but they can form groups and fight for their rights if they are mistreated (Watts, 2007). Insider and Outsider groups: The government in the decision-making frequently consults the insider groups. These groups are also considered a part while planning government policies and even while selecting parliamentary committees. Some higher insider groups have links with ministers and the president to achieve their desired objective. The outsider groups are considered to have no links with the government and their aim is to introduce campaigns and to challenge the government policies and their acts (Watts, 2007). Pressure groups and their relations with government: The relationship between the pressure groups and the government is not always adversarial and they often assist each other in strengthening their countries will power and fight against the crisis. Sometimes the government seeks help from the pressure groups, which has a certain amount of expertise, and they consult the pressure groups in implementing their new ideas and their policies. These pressure groups can often force the government in amending the legislations and often identify ways of how to put those laws and legislations into practice (Castles, 1967). These group uses a variety of methods in influencing their decisions over the government. They could inform the parliament members or the legislators about their member’s viewpoints for the laws. They could even assist the government in providing them funds in participating in the elections so when the time comes government would also able to help these groups. They could also aid government by writing the bills and taking necessary steps in implementing the bills (Key, 1978). Pressure groups can also provide support to the government in the areas in which they do not have any direct interest for the purpose that they could be benefited by the government in the near future. Some pressure groups remain in the government lobby that provide advice to the ministers and often setup policies for the country against the relationship with the other country (Watts, 2007). Factors to determine the success or failure of a pressure group: The success of a pressure group or the factors that makes a pressure group more powerful than the other groups is the availability of wealthy, size of its members and the leadership, which is governed to the pressure group. Wealth: The groups that have the financial power and can create an impact in the country’s economy mostly influence the government. The business groups have a relative power and can fund excessively in attaining their goals. Government are helpless against these groups because they contain major resources of the country and has the power of employing citizens in their companies which makes the government suspend its ideologies and beliefs for the benefit of these groups. These groups are involved in making trade polices and often assist political parties by funding and investing in their party elections so the chances of disagreement of government with these groups are negligible (Walter & Zürn, 2005). Size: The larger size can influence government in a way that it has a direct impact in the electoral process. Governments fulfill their demands by proving their reputation in the country and to get re-elected in the next elections. The chances of raising funds in these groups are comparatively higher and make a group wealthier. These groups can protest for their rights and perform demonstration and can create attention of the general public, which makes it more difficult for the government. However, these groups are not as effective as the business group, which has the power to dismantle the economy (Castles, 1967). Leadership: The leaders that has the desired negotiation skills, political skills and has a high public profile then the group is said to be succeeded in its objectives. The leader must possess the political contacts with various groups and should be aware of how to present a case against the government so as to influence the powerful authorities more effectively (Castles, 1967). Conclusion: The increase in the trend of constructing a pressure group instead of a political party is both a blessing and a curse for the government but healthier for the democracy. Pressure groups educate the general public about the issues and help them in raising their voices over inequalities. Their basic purpose is to influence their opinions to the decision-making authorities. The groups can become successful if they have the desired wealth, a larger size of members and a good leadership in order to influence their opinions. References Baggott, R. (1995). Pressure Groups Today. Manchester: Manchester University Press ND. Castles, F. (1967). Pressure Groups and Political Culture: A Comparative Study. London: Taylor & Francis. Key, V. (1978). Politics, parties, & pressure groups. New York: Crowell. Walter, G., & Zürn, M. (2005). Globalizing Interests: Pressure Groups And Denationalization. New York: SUNY Press. Watts, D. (2007). Pressure Groups. Manchester: Edinburgh University Press. Read More