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Introduction
A pressure group is an organization whose members seek to influence policies of public bodies or employers. They seek to do so, either to protect interests of members (e.g. Trade Unions, NUT) or promote a cause (e.g. Greenpeace or RSPCA). Not all pressure groups are as successful as others, and there are many reasons for this.
One of the most important factors affecting the success of a pressure group is what constitutes success? There are varying degrees of success, dependent on the pressure group involved, ranging from a change in legislation to more localised change. For example, a pressure group campaigning against a local bypass, does not necessarily want legislation banning all bypasses. As a result the measure of the groups success would be the prevention of the bypass being built. However, there are certain areas which will affect the success of pressure groups.
Relationship with decision making bodies
One important area which determines pressure group success is the relationship with the government, or relevant authority (e.g. local council or European Union). Insider pressure groups (such as the BMA, or Police Federation), or pressure groups with regular contact within decision making bodies, are more likely to be able to directly influence policy. Insider pressure groups are often consulted on legislation in their 'area'. They therefore have a chance to influence legislation and 'steer' it in a direction supported by the group. Outsider pressure groups (such as the ALF and CND) are unlikely to be able to take advantage of this influence of legislation since there are generally not involved within legislative procedures. This is often due to 'unreasonable' demands or violent/illegal methods of protest.
Relationship with the Media/Public
The pressure groups relationship with the media can greatly affect the success of a pressure group, particularly outsider pressure groups. Pressure groups with the support of the media, and the wider public, have more chance of pressurising the government, or the decision making body, to follow the pressure groups advice. This is even more likely when the pressure group is trying to influence the government. This is because the government is accountable to the general public and if the government goes against public opinion on an important issue then this will have electoral consequences. For example, if the Labour Government (1997) had refused to pass the amendment to the firearms act, campaigned for by Snowdrop, for the 4 years of their first term then it is possible that considerable pressure would have built up, possibly leading to their removal from office. This shows the importance of the media and public opinion to the success of a pressure group. This could be crucial to the success of pressure groups which aim to provide information to the general public. Without the support of the media they would be unlikely to be able to gain sufficient coverage to empower the public. The support of a celebrity, such as Bob Geldof and the Live Aid campaign, can also increase the chances of a pressure groups success. Leadership of the pressure group is very important, and celebrity leadership can enhance the public image of the pressure group.
Financial Factors
The financial situation of a pressure group is another factor that can greatly affect the success or failure of the pressure group. This does not just include the funds available to the group, but also the ability to exercise financial power. A pressure group that is able to impose financial 'sanctions' on their targets is more likely to have success. An example of this in action is the September 2000 fuel protests. These eventually led to a reduction in fuel tax, due to the pressure placed upon the government. The funds which the pressure group has available are also important in the success of pressure groups. Without suitable funds pressure groups are unlikely to be able to successfully campaign. For example the Make Poverty History campaign would not have been able to raise the awareness of poverty in the way that they have, if they have not had a reasonable amount of money.
Conclusion
The success or failure of pressure groups depends upon the criteria for success or failure. There are, however, certain factors which can lead to success or failure. Of these, the most important would be the relationship with decision making bodies. Without a good relationship a pressure group is unlikely to be able to reach any meaningful success.
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TO what extent have pressure groups become more important in recent years?
It could be argued that pressure groups have become more important in recent years. Membership to pressure groups, and the amount of them, has increased significantly. This has occured at a time where party membership has declined. Another increase in activity has been seen with the advent of the human rights act, which allowed the campaign group liberty to exert a high degree of influence. In the modern era, it is easier for pressure groups to broadcast their aims to the eneral public. They can therefore gain support quickly via cyberactivism, and co-ordinate protests easily on national and international scales. Supportin this is the fact that over 95% of pressure groups have a website. Politicians have often recognised the importance of outsider pressure groups, and sided with them for personal gain. Hazel Blears, for example, sided with a group tryin to ensure her local maternity unit remained open, whilst simultaneously supporting the government that tried to close it. On the contrary, despite the increase in membership, pressure groups fail to wield any more power than they have in the past. The anti war demonstrators failed to influence parliament despite their large size. The recent success of the Gurkha Justice Campaign achieved its aims only with extremely significant support, such as high public sympathy, a high profile celebrity and an extensive media campaign. Furthermore, insider pressure groups continue to dominate influence on policy. Groups which are practically unheard of such as The Howard League have insider status despite a low membership. Minorities are seldom represented, as they are usually silenced under the weight of large, wealthy groups like the CBI. Overall, there are a balanced rane of arguments to suggest that whilst pressure groups have become more popular, their importance and ability to influence policy has remained stagnant.
Is Interest groups more likely to believe in a smaller government and take more conservative stances on social issues?
iterest groups
What are three groups of people that were persecuted?
Blacks, Native Americans, and Jews. And there are many more groups that could be listed.
What are political parties more capable of doing than interest groups?
Organizing people on a mass scale.
How does growth in the number of interest groups and PAC's make it difficult for the federal government to enact public policy?
As more interest groups and PACs are made it becomes extremely difficult for the government to please everyone
What did Robert Merton mean by in groups and out of groups create a n?
He said that certain groups of people were more likely to be able to attain the American Dream than others. And, people, whither in groups or out of groups, may have more of an advantage than others.
What are the comparative and superlative of the word influential?
The comparative form of "influential" is "more influential" and the superlative form is "most influential."
What two Canadian groups are pushing for more autonomy and exerting evolutionary pressure on the Canadian government?
What two canadian groups are pushing for more autonomy and exerting evolutionary pressure on the Canadian government
Difference between sectional and casual pressure groups?
Sectional pressure groups represent the common interests of a particular section of society whilst causal pressure groups are more focused on a specific set of usually political or economic ideals
Which groups of Mesopotamian people had more rights than others?
the president
What are the pressure group in the Philippines?
well the pressure groups in the philippines are the KPL, ANAKBAYAN, GABRIELA, ANAKPAWIS, KATRIBU, KMU, KKK, AND MANY MORE
Was Islam more influential in Africa than Christianity in the 12th century?
By the twelfth century Islam was more influential in Africa than Christianity. "Addition" And even today,Islam is more influential either in positive or negative way !
What is the WIT program?
The WIT Program is the Wiki Answers Influential Teen, they help make other contributors/members feel welcomed to the site. In addition to that the Wiki influential teens has a job to complete within the site, and its to make it better, safer, and more fun for others to enjoy.
Why is a representative likely to feel more pressure from special interest groups?
Representative are likely to feel more pressure from special interest groups because he or she represents a smaller constituency and must be immediately responsible to its needs. They also can sometimes feel stressed about reelections because elections are held every two years.
Why are some pressure groups more successful than others in the US?
IntroductionA pressure group is an organization whose members seek to influence policies of public bodies or employers. They seek to do so, either to protect interests of members (e.g. Trade Unions, NUT) or promote a cause (e.g. Greenpeace or RSPCA). Not all pressure groups are as successful as others, and there are many reasons for this.One of the most important factors affecting the success of a pressure group is what constitutes success? There are varying degrees of success, dependent on the pressure group involved, ranging from a change in legislation to more localised change. For example, a pressure group campaigning against a local bypass, does not necessarily want legislation banning all bypasses. As a result the measure of the groups success would be the prevention of the bypass being built. However, there are certain areas which will affect the success of pressure groups.Relationship with decision making bodiesOne important area which determines pressure group success is the relationship with the government, or relevant authority (e.g. local council or European Union). Insider pressure groups (such as the BMA, or Police Federation), or pressure groups with regular contact within decision making bodies, are more likely to be able to directly influence policy. Insider pressure groups are often consulted on legislation in their 'area'. They therefore have a chance to influence legislation and 'steer' it in a direction supported by the group. Outsider pressure groups (such as the ALF and CND) are unlikely to be able to take advantage of this influence of legislation since there are generally not involved within legislative procedures. This is often due to 'unreasonable' demands or violent/illegal methods of protest.Relationship with the Media/PublicThe pressure groups relationship with the media can greatly affect the success of a pressure group, particularly outsider pressure groups. Pressure groups with the support of the media, and the wider public, have more chance of pressurising the government, or the decision making body, to follow the pressure groups advice. This is even more likely when the pressure group is trying to influence the government. This is because the government is accountable to the general public and if the government goes against public opinion on an important issue then this will have electoral consequences. For example, if the Labour Government (1997) had refused to pass the amendment to the firearms act, campaigned for by Snowdrop, for the 4 years of their first term then it is possible that considerable pressure would have built up, possibly leading to their removal from office. This shows the importance of the media and public opinion to the success of a pressure group. This could be crucial to the success of pressure groups which aim to provide information to the general public. Without the support of the media they would be unlikely to be able to gain sufficient coverage to empower the public. The support of a celebrity, such as Bob Geldof and the Live Aid campaign, can also increase the chances of a pressure groups success. Leadership of the pressure group is very important, and celebrity leadership can enhance the public image of the pressure group.Financial FactorsThe financial situation of a pressure group is another factor that can greatly affect the success or failure of the pressure group. This does not just include the funds available to the group, but also the ability to exercise financial power. A pressure group that is able to impose financial 'sanctions' on their targets is more likely to have success. An example of this in action is the September 2000 fuel protests. These eventually led to a reduction in fuel tax, due to the pressure placed upon the government. The funds which the pressure group has available are also important in the success of pressure groups. Without suitable funds pressure groups are unlikely to be able to successfully campaign. For example the Make Poverty History campaign would not have been able to raise the awareness of poverty in the way that they have, if they have not had a reasonable amount of money.ConclusionThe success or failure of pressure groups depends upon the criteria for success or failure. There are, however, certain factors which can lead to success or failure. Of these, the most important would be the relationship with decision making bodies. Without a good relationship a pressure group is unlikely to be able to reach any meaningful success.
How are interest groups funded?
I believe that one of the ways in which pressure groups are funded is through the use of anonymous donors. Wealthy donors who support the cause may be more than happy to donate to the cause. An example could be FOREST, the pro-smoking group. It is argued that FOREST are financially supported by many tobacco companies. Perhaps another way in which pressure groups are funded is through fundraisers, in the same way in which political parties raise money.
What are the benefits of living in a multicultural society?
We learn more about others cultures and have a better understanding of people of other ethnic groups.
