A Pressure Group is a group seeking to influence government policy or business activity to secure the interests of their members and supporters.
Examples include Environmental, Consumer, Welfare (animals), industries (TUs)
Lobbying is where a pressure group campaigns through leaflets, petitions etc in order to raise public awareness or change the law
Types of Pressure Group
- Single Cause - Focus on a particular issue
- Multi Cause - Focus attention on a wider range of issues often under a generalised heading
- Protective – Seek to protect interest of members
- Promotional - Seek to promote issues of interest to its members and supporters in relation to the particular topic
Types of Action
Direct Action
- Lobbying
- Protests
- Boycotts
- Civil disobedience e.g. causing obstruction, sit ins, lie downs, making noises, etc.
- Terrorism, intimidation of workers or owners/management of a business, for example Violence - bombings, shootings, threats, attacks & Criminal damage – damage to property, releasing animals into the wild – Animal Liberation Front
Indirect Action
- Publicity
- Leaflets/adverts
- Petitions
- Providing research
Effects
Successful campaigns can lead to legal and ethical changes in business practice. Examples include:
- The increasing practice of environmental audits by businesses
- The movement to the use of synthetic fur in the fashion industry
- The compulsory use of seat belts The decrease in the use of CFCs
Response of Business
Business might:
- Accept the arguments and change its practice
- Present its own arguments on the issue
- Take legal redress
- Seek to publicise its image and what it is doing to counter the damage pressure groups could cause
Criticisms
Pressure Groups can be criticised if:
- They appear too powerful
- They are powerful enough to represent minority interests at the expense of the majority
- They focus on their own agenda at the expense of wider issues
- They take direct action that breaks the law
