Zusammenfassung der Ressource
(2) Classification of pressure groups
- Sectional groups
- Sometimes defined as ‘interest
groups’ or ‘protective groups’.
- They are defined by a common uniting
feature of the group e.g. financial
interests, social groups or other
common interest e.g. a disease.
- Promotional groups
- Sometimes referred to as
‘issue groups’ or ‘cause
groups’
- Defined by commonly-held beliefs or
causes. The uniting feature may take
many forms e.g. wildlife, child welfare.
- These groups tend to focus on
interests that affect the whole
community not just a section as with
the previous group.
- Insider groups
- This definition was created by Wyn Grant, University of
Warwick, and considers pressure groups from the
perspective of their relationship with the political
establishment, the government and civil service.
- This definition helps to explain how pressure
groups behave and how successful they are.
- Insider pressure groups have:
- A close and established
working relationship with
government which give the
group a type of legitimacy and
is seen to be an advantage.
- Close relationships with a
government department and/or
ministers and are regularly
consulted. For example, early
development and drafting of
legislation. Such groups are
called ‘core insiders’ because of
their special status.
- - Permanent representatives
on permanent policy-advising
committees.
- Links (sometimes) with a
political party e.g. unions have
links with the Labour Party
- Outsider groups
- In contrast, these groups
have not established links
with government.
- They are outside of the
decision-making framework of
government and not consulted.
- They are less likely to have their views
taken into account and this makes it more
difficult for them to achieve success.
- Why are outsiders ‘outsiders’?
- They are not established enough.
- They prefer outsider status as
then they are not accountable for
their actions.
- Outsiders have greater
freedom to act as they wish,
including illegal actions.