Types of Pressure Group

Question 1

1) Sectional/Protection/Interest Groups

Answer 1

Based on occupation or economic interest of members. Membership is restricted to those in the profession, occupation, business etc

Question 2

2) Promotional/Cause Groups

Answer 2

Promote an ideal/cause not related to members’ occupational or economic interests. Membership is open to everyone.

Question 3

3) Insider Groups

Answer 3

Wyn Grant categorised some groups as “Insider Groups” meaning:

• They have regular access to government departments (civil servants, advisers, ministers)
• Consulted during policy making
• Less likely to use public protest which may lead government to withdraw their insider status.

Question 4

4) Outsider Groups

Answer 4

Don’t have access to government departments, senior civil servants, ministerial advisers or ministers. They therefore rely on public campaigns.
There are three types of outsider groups:
-Outsider by necessity
-Threshold Group
-Outsider by choice/Ideological Outsider Groups

Question 5

Outsider by Necessity

Answer 5

Would like to be an insider but don’t have knowledge, importance or means to become insider or because government disagrees with their aims.

Question 6

Threshold Groups

Answer 6

Trying to get insider status but yet to achieve it.

Question 7

Outsider by Choice/ Ideological Outsider Groups

Answer 7

Have radical aims and/or use radical methods and/or distrust the political system. They believe insider status would mean too much compromise. Aim to force change through public support, media coverage and public education.

Question 8

5) Policy Networks

Answer 8

Policy Network theories seek to explain the influence of different groups in policy making.
Within this there are:
-Policy Communities
-Issue Networks

Question 9

Policy Communities

Answer 9

Close working relationships involving a small number of groups and relevant government departments who mainly agree over how policy is made and what it should achieve. Groups are therefore not too radical in aims/methods.
Policy communities are likely to only include insider groups.

Question 10

Issue Networks

Answer 10

Larger and less formal. More groups and more conflict over policy aims. Involve groups concerned about a single issue relevant government department ministers and civil servants, and parliamentary committees.

Question 11

Social Movements

Answer 11

Large groups/coalitions of groups and independent activists trying to achieve radical and large scale change, using radical activism without one formal leadership. No one organisation may lead and parties may be involved.