Pressure Groups: Types, Methods, and Influence

This lesson examines pressure groups — organised groups that seek to influence government policy without seeking to hold office. Pressure groups are a vital part of a pluralist democracy and provide citizens with a channel for political participation between elections.

---

What is a Pressure Group?

A pressure group (also called an interest group or advocacy group) is an organisation that seeks to influence public policy on a particular issue or set of issues. Unlike political parties, pressure groups do not seek to win elections or form a government.

Feature	Pressure Group	Political Party
Goal	Influence policy on specific issues	Win elections and form government
Scope	Narrow (often single-issue)	Broad range of policies
Candidates	Do not stand candidates	Stand candidates in elections
Accountability	Accountable to members	Accountable to the electorate

---

Types of Pressure Groups

Sectional (Interest) Groups

Sectional groups represent the interests of a particular section of society. Membership is usually restricted to those who belong to that section.

Example	Represents
British Medical Association (BMA)	Doctors
National Farmers' Union (NFU)	Farmers
Trade Union Congress (TUC)	Trade unions and workers
Confederation of British Industry (CBI)	Businesses and employers
National Union of Students (NUS)	Students

Cause (Promotional) Groups

Cause groups campaign on a particular issue or cause that their members believe in. Membership is open to anyone who supports the cause.

Example	Cause
Greenpeace	Environmental protection
Amnesty International	Human rights
Shelter	Homelessness
Liberty	Civil liberties
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)	Nuclear disarmament

Insider vs Outsider Groups

This classification, developed by Wyn Grant, is based on the group's relationship with the government:

Insider groups have regular, institutionalised access to government decision-makers:

• Consulted during the policy-making process
• Often have expertise that government needs
• Tend to use moderate, behind-the-scenes methods
• Example: the BMA is regularly consulted on health policy; the NFU on agricultural policy

Outsider groups do not have regular access to government and rely on public pressure:

• May be excluded by choice (ideological outsiders) or because they lack influence
• Use publicity, protest, and direct action to raise awareness
• Example: Greenpeace, Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil

Note: The insider/outsider distinction is not fixed. Groups may move between categories depending on the government in power and the issue at stake. For example, trade unions had insider status under Labour governments but were marginalised under Thatcher's Conservatives.

---

Methods Used by Pressure Groups