 |  | | Pressure GroupsWhat are pressure groups?
A pressure group is made up of like-minded people who have come together because they feel very strongly about an issue, for example it could be human rights abuses, homeless people or the elderly. Pressure groups try to put pressure on a number of different people or organisations such as the government, local authorities, businesses or the media.
Why put pressure on individuals, parties or organisations?- To get something done or changed
- Improve conditions for their members
- Stop something from happening
Why can pressure groups be more powerful than an individual?
Pressure groups are more powerful than individuals as many people working together have the potential to be more influential than one person on their own - unity is strength. - Nationwide membership - pressure groups such as Amnesty International have over one million members worldwide.
- Grab media attention - pressure groups can attract media attention, who will report what the pressure group is trying to do, and this can influence the public into supporting the pressure groups cause or issue.
- Help sought from government - pressure groups tend to know a lot about their particular cause or issue, often they are experts in their field and may therefore be consulted by the government if they want to introduce a new law or change the law. Pressure groups such as the Prison Reform Trust or the British Medical Association may be asked for their expert advice or opinion if the government is thinking of making changes to the penal system or the health service.
- Financial strength - pressure group members have to pay an annual subscription fee and the larger its membership base the more money the pressure group will have to fund campaigns and commission research.
Cause and interest groups
A variety of pressure groups exist within society to represent a variety of people and groups and to take up a variety of causes, for example pressure groups like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Scotland are concerned with the environment, Amnesty International is concerned with human rights around the world and Shelter is concerned with the homeless.
People participate in decision-making through pressure groups because they wish to pursue a specific cause or interest.
Cause groups have three main characteristics - They share a view about how life could be improved
- They wish to help a particular disadvantaged group
- They wish to change public opinion on an issue
Cause groups draw their membership from every walk of life and are trying to promote a cause that they feel very strongly about, for example Friends of the Earth want to protect and safeguard the environment, Amnesty International are trying to ensure freedom of speech and human rights, and the League Against Cruel Sports are concerned with trying to ban foxhunting and badger baiting.
Interest groups also have three main characteristics - They try to improve economic conditions for their members
- They try to create better conditions for their members
- They are concerned with the social, economic and political interests of their members
Interest groups draw their membership from a narrower group within society and it usually tries to further the specific interests of its members, for example trade unions such as the Fire Brigade Union and the British Medical Association try to secure better wages and conditions for their members.
A successful pressure group
'Snowdrop' was formed in the aftermath of an incident at Dunblane Primary School in 1996. A 43-year-old man made his way into the gym of the local primary and killed 16 innocent children and their teacher, before taking his own life. The nation was horrified by this mindless act of violence. Lord Cullen was appointed to conduct a public enquiry and the British government promised to act on his recommendations.
The bereaved parents organised 'Snowdrop' as a group dedicated to the banning of all handguns. Petitions were drawn up and hundreds of thousands of signatures were collected. The media widely reported on the issue and some newspapers strongly campaigned for the banning of all handguns. Seven months after the incident the report was published and shortly afterwards the government announced a total ban on all handguns. |
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