YES

NO

PG's are set up for any cause at all

Allow different opinions to be heard publically

Groups are more powerful than individuals

Fills gaps that Government & parties have missed

Get a response from Government is enough pressure is applied

YES

NO

Small groups of people make all the decisions in PGs

Insider groups are more powerful than outsider groups

Some groups have selective memberships

Only interested in the views of their members

Membership is usually specific

Trade Unions (NUT = Teachers, GMC = Nurses etc)

CBI (Confederation of British Industry)

Altruistic (don't just look after their own member's interests)

Often lead by a small group of people with a non-specific membership

Greenpeace

World Wildlife Fund

Likely to seek public support to put pressure on the government

Some groups may undertake acts of civil disobedience (e.g. F4J)

Fathers 4 Justice

Animal Liberation Front

Can take part in the development of policy - tend to be consulted by government

Tend to behave legally and not publically criticise government

May be able to prevent unfavourable legislation at an early stage

CBI (Confederation of British Industry)

MIND

The Adam Smith institute

They influence government and tell the public that they are. They tend to be government-related institutions

EG: Office of Fair Trading

Influence government but do not wish to draw attention to themselves

EG: CBI (Confederation of British Industry)

Their status depends on the current government

EG: Trade Unions

May apply to relatively new or small groups that the government is not sympathetic towards

EG: Association of British Drivers

They wish to remain independant and free, so avoid getting inside government

EG: Greenpeace

HOW: PG's will seek support from MPs, sometimes for a fee (must be declared)

WHY: To change party manifestos or views

EXAMPLE: Environmental pressure groups added environmental points to the Conservative Manifesto

NOTE: Called Access Points

HOW: Government can consult PG's when introducing a new law

WHY: Benefits both parties, Govt gets insight & public approval, PG's get their points across

EXAMPLE: Stonewall (Civil Partnership Act 2004)

HOW: PG's ask specialists to represent their views to politicians

WHY: To enter their ideas into the political process

EXAMPLE: Rich businesses

NOTE: Criticised for not being very democratic

HOW: PG's persuade MPs to represent views.During the committee stage of the law making processInfluence House of Lords to amendStand candidates for election

Strikes/DemonstrationsIllegal sit-insBreaking & Entering e.g. GM crop fields

HOW: TV interviews, coverage of protests etc

WHY: Access to the public

EXAMPLE: Dunblane Shootings 1996 => Firearms Amendment Act 1997

HOW: See Direct Action and Media

WHY: The government is sensitive to public support

EXAMPLE: Celebrity & media Endorsement

HOW: Similar aims to government

WHY: The government looks for groups that support its views, if only for legitimation

EXAMPLE: Taxpayer's Alliance

HOW: Wealthier groups are able to hire lobbyists or give party donations

WHY: Increases their chances of success

EXAMPLE: BPI / CBI are financed by the businesses they represent

NOTE: Tend to be sectional. Promotion groups rely on donations

HOW: Can be large organisations or ones with small memberships

WHY: Outsiders need to be larger to be legitimate & successful

EXAMPLE: World Wildlife Fund is sometimes considered by government, but is huge

NOTE: Insiders don't need to be as big - is this democratic?

HOW: Insider or Outsider!

WHY: More important groups can influence policy

EXAMPLE: CBI (Confederation of British Industry)

HOW: Celebrities attend events held by the pressure groups

WHY: Media & Public support hugely increases and everyone looks to the government for a response

EXAMPLE: Ghurka Soldiers - Joanna Lumley

HOW: The ability of a group to organise themselves to pursue their goals

WHY: Better organised groups are more successful

EXAMPLE: Writing a constitution

HOW: Some groups may have an opposite group

WHY: Less opposition incraeses chances of success

EXAMPLE: EDL (English Defence League) vs UAF (Unite Against Facism)

EXAMPLE: ASH (Anti-smoking) vs the Tobacco Industry