Types of Pressure Group

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Pressure Groups

Pressure groups are organised groups of individuals brought together for the purpose of fulfilling a specific goal, or because of a common cause.

How pressure groups work

Pressure groups aim to influence policies and political decisions or change public attitudes without looking to gain political office.
Pressure groups have a narrowly focused aim or goal which is shared with all pressure group members.

Insider and Outsider Groups

Pressure groups can work inside the political system or put pressure on political players from the outside

Insider groups

Insider pressure groups have regular contact with decision makers and so are able to work ‘inside’ the political system.
Insider groups are often consulted on specific policy issues by government departments, MPs, political parties and committees.

Privileged insider group access

Insider group privileged access may be based on the view that they are regarded as more moderate than other types of pressure group.
Insider groups need to be careful to keep the government on their side, so tend not to make extreme demands.
Insider group methods of influence involve working closely with those in the political system rather than more extreme methods such as direct action.

Examples of insider groups

NICE (National Institute for Health Care and Excellence) work with the government to create policy around healthcare and the NHS.
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the National Farmers Union (NFU) are both regularly consulted by the government.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance has close links to the Conservative party.

Outsider groups

Outsider pressure groups are not consulted by the government, do not have direct and regular contact with decision makers and do not operate through influencing those within the political system.
Outsider pressure groups aim to gain the support of public opinion.
Outsider pressure groups undertake methods of influencing policy which involve working ‘outside’ the political system.
"Potential" insiders may aim to work inside the political system.

Examples of outsider groups

Fathers4Justice campaign for fathers to have equal rights after separation.
Occupy Movement campaign for a balance between executive and worker pay.
Plane Stupid is a pressure group against the expansion of UK airports.
- Amnesty International is an example of a potential outsider group.

Sectional and promotional groups

Groups may target issues in different ways. Sectional groups only target the interests of a certain section of society, and promotional groups target single issues.

Sectional groups

Sectional groups represent a specific section of society.
Sectional groups do not campaign for broader issues.
Sectional groups are concerned with protecting and advancing the interests of their members.

Examples of sectional groups

House Builders Federation represents the voice of the house building industry
British Medical Association represents 160,000 doctors.

Promotional groups

Promotional or Cause groups have a single issue which they are concerned with promoting.
Promotional groups promote ideas that don’t directly benefit their members but which they believe will benefit the public in general.
Promotional groups are more inclusive because they aim to create a large membership base.

Examples of promotional groups

Stop HS2 want to stop the building of the second high-speed rail line in the UK.
Greenpeace wish to end destruction of the environment.
Mediawatch-UK want to promote "family values in the media".