Introduction

Most pressure groups have a variety of goals and make a variety of compromises as part of their on-going negotiations and campaigning. For some groups, success may just be ensuring that rival groups do not achieve some of their objectives.

Political Culture

This is the extent to which pressure group activity is regarded as legitimate. In Britain, it is generally accepted that pressure groups have a role to play in the political process.

Opposing Groups

These can cancel each other out – or at least reduce the impact of each other’s activities. Obvious examples might be the pro- and anti-abortion campaigns or the pro- and anti-hunting groups.

Attitude of the Government

This is the extent to which decision making is open to influence. Under the Conservative government from 1979, particularly under Mrs Thatcher, there was less likelihood of pressure group influence being successful – the government often pressed ahead on its convictions regardless of outside opinion, for example over NHS reform.

The election of the Labour government in May 1997 was seen by many as opening up the political system to greater influence by pressure groups.

In general, governments will be more receptive to pressure on policies which they favour, and from groups which share their basic values. For example, the Institute of Directors gained significant influence during the Conservative years. Governments are also more likely to be open to influence on issues which are peripheral to their main policies rather than central to them.

Dangers Posed by Pressure Groups 

• They are quite biased in favour of their own interest. Campaigns by pressure groups may not present a balanced argument
• E.g. Fathers 4 Justice may not understand that the courts and mothers are trying to achieve the best outcome for their kids
• Members are often very passionate, they may resort to undesirable tactics like violence or criminal behaviour to promote their cause
• E.g. Animal activists have damaged scientific animal testing labs and threatened workers and their families, members of Countryside Alliance and Fathers 4 Justice have demonstrated in The House of Commons
• Opinions held by pressure groups may only help a small minority of the population

COMPARISON BETWEEN PRESSURE GROUP AND POLITICAL PARTY

Both political parties and pressure groups seek to influence Government, but it is their methods, organisation and ultimate goals that set them apart. Political parties put up candidates for election to the legislature, and by doing so they seek to form a government (or if this is unrealistic, say for a minor party, to influence the current government.). Pressure groups, on the other hand, do not usually put up candidates for election, although this is not always the case. For political parties, however, their main (and usually only) aim is to get as many candidates elected as possible…

Read more below-

SS1 Government Third Term: Factors Working against the Success of Pressure Groups