Political Participation & Democracy - Pressure Groups

  • Don’t want to be elected, they aren’t seeking power and they campaign on a single issue to change the government stance on something by campaigning themselves
What Is The Difference Between Sectional Pressure Groups And Causal Pressure Groups:
Sectional:
  • Sectional pressure groups look after their own section of society, for example, the BMA or trade unions in work.
  • They are a professional association who represent a company.
  • They have a shared interest but its hard to join them since it is closed membership so only specific people can join.
  • They also act in the best interest of the members and they try and pressure those in power to change certain rules and such and finally they are a single section in society.
Casual:
  • Causal pressure groups campaign for a particular issue – one that does not affect members.
  • They campaign on behalf of members as they most likely are unable to themselves.
  • The group is usually what the members have in common since their backgrounds can vary.
  • They also aim to improve society usually by things such as charity like the RSPCA or Oxfam.
  • They fundraise and raise awareness so research and education can be done
  • They put pressure on those in power so they change their ways.
  • Greenpeace is an example of a causal group as they campaign against issues.
  • Causal groups look to raise awareness of a particular issue and to increase participation
Sectional Pressure Groups:
Causal Pressure Groups:
Protect the interest of members
Promote a value
Closed membership
Open to all people
Motivated by self-interests
Motivated by altruistic considerations
Methods Used By Pressure Groups:
  • Lobby: Meet with the government to try and pressure them
  • Research And Publish Reports: Evidence to support the group and to also inform the public
  • Publicity Campaigns: To raise awareness to show the scale of support given by the public
  • Public Demonstration: To seek awareness by marching
  • Celebrity Spokesperson: Raise the profile of the group, to gain media attention and to attract more people from the fans of the celebrity.
  • Digital Campaigns: Social media to publish information
  • Shock Tactics: Doing something shocking to gain attention from the media
  • Symbols: Create badges and an identity so people know who the group is and they research them so they learn new things and perhaps even be persuaded to join.
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