pressure groups

• A pressure group is an organisation with shared aims which seeks to influence policy through political means without seeking political office itself.
• Robert Dahl theorised pluralism which suggests power is dispersed equally between multiple groups in society so that the majority opinion will prevail. Smaller pressure groups of a similar nature can combine to have similar influence to larger ones.
• C. Wright Mills theorised elitism which suggest power is held by a small group of elites, and influence is only achievable for those with status and money. This points to the discrepancy between insider and outsider pressure groups.
• Interest/sectional groups only represent a fraction of the population e.g. trade unions like the NEU and professional associations like the BMA. This can mean their interests contradict those of the rest of the UK.
• Cause/promotional groups aim to bring education on a cause relevant to everyone e.g. RSPCA, environmentalist groups. As a result they may be less likely to directly influence specific policy as to build a political agenda.
• Pressure groups allow people to be represented, creating a link between the people and the government e.g. Stonewall represents queer people. However leaders are usually unelected.
• Pressure groups allow more direct, active and frequent participation. However not all who join pressure groups will join them to participate e.g. National Trust.
• Programme monitoring is a function of pressure groups, for example Ban Conversion Therapy does this. However this does not mean they will necessarily influence policy.
• Pressure groups' status can change over time. While trade unions and religious groups have heavily decreased in influence, environmental groups have increased in influence.
• Public education and political agenda buildinga are also functions of pressure groups.
• People may join pressure groups for participation, because of their personal beliefs or for representation.
• People may join pressure groups if it is a need, e.g. being part of a trade union, or equally for material benefits e.g. National Trust.
• Pressure groups are significantly more subscribed than UK political parties; the RSPB has a larger membership than all the parties combined at 2m members and the National Trust is the largest pressure group in Europe at 3.4m.