Contemporary British Politics and Government by Jones Alistair & Cocker Phil

Author:Jones, Alistair & Cocker, Phil [Jones, Alistair]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cambridge Academic
Published: 2015-10-25T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22 // PRESSURE GROUPS

Contents

Introduction

Definition

Development of Pressure Groups

Typology of Pressure Groups

Methods of Operating

Direct Action

Assessment of Pressure Groups

Conclusion

Introduction

Pressure groups are an integral part of the British political process. Yet when talking about ideas such as democracy or participation (as discussed in chapter 18), the emphasis seems to be on electoral participation, and specifically elections to Parliament. Pressure group activity appears sometimes to be an extra, almost as an afterthought to the Parliamentary processes. It is interesting to note constitutional writers in the 1950s and 1960s ignored such group interests – presumably because they did not fit into the formal structures of government. Admittedly, the explosion in the number of pressure groups in the UK did not occur until the mid-1960s.

To omit the examination of such bodies is no longer tenable in a modern democratic society. The idea of elected representatives being able to look after all of their constituents’ needs and concerns is no longer seen as accurate (if it ever was). Hence the growth of pressure groups was an almost inevitable attempt to develop a more open and democratic system. While political parties may satisfy a number of aspirations (see chapter 23), they cannot hope to fulfil the wishes of all citizens. The development of pressure groups has been a partial answer to this problem.

The political system is open to all individuals to exercise their right to influence the ideas and actions of MPs and ministers, preferably by methods that are not illegal. Groups tend to be much more effective in this area than individuals. Experience has taught people group interests, whether through trade unions, environmental movements or animal welfare organisations, have a better chance of achieving their aims than individuals pursuing identical aims separately. In other words, ‘collective action’ is more effective than individual effort. Pressure groups, it seems, have developed to complement the representation function of MPs rather than to replace them.

Definition

One of the major problems when attempting to define ‘pressure group’ is it is a contested concept. The idea of a pressure group means different things to different people. There is also the concept ‘interest group’. There may be differences between the two concepts, but that may be linked to definitional issues. What some people may call a ‘pressure group’, others may call an ‘interest group’. In practice, these terms can be used interchangeably; as to the average person they probably mean the same thing.

With there being no agreement between experts as to what comprises a pressure group, any text examining pressure groups will present one or more definitions of the term. These definitions will not be the same. There tend to be common themes underpinning these definitions and it is from this point any attempt at a definition ought to start. These are:

A pressure group tends to seek influence , either of a direct or indirect nature. This may be over a particular government policy such as a road building scheme at local government level, university lecturers pay at a national government level, or standards of cleanliness of beaches at the European Union level.

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