Pressure Group Strategies

1
Pressure Group Strategies

• Pressure Groups aim to influence government
  policy they do this in a variety of ways.

2
Insider Groups

• As we know Insider Groups have access to
  information and they are called upon to formulate
  policy, this means that they can influence policy
  at the highest level.Their knowledge is important
  to the government

3
Professional Lobbying

• This is becoming increasingly popular as a means
  of influencing policy. In return for payment
  professional lobbyists prepare a well structured
  case to key decision makers

This group lobby government for changes which
affect Birmingham businesses
4
Cause Groups

• Sectional Cause Groups aim to advance a certain
  group of people. They do this through raising the
  profile of these people. HOW?

• Demonstrations
• Lobbying MPs and MSPs
• Posters and Leaflets
• Websites
• Petitions

5
Direct Action

• Some groups will blackmail the government into
  changing policy through direct action.
• In 2000 the Fuel Protests led to panic buying in
  supermarkets.

6
Direct Action

• In November the Chancellors budget statement
  announced that there would be a freeze on fuel
  duties until 2002.
• The direct action had to an extent worked

7
Direct Action

• Greenpeace also make use of direct action and
  this can be somewhat aggressive
• In 2000 Greenpeace ambushed a ship carrying GM
  soybeans into the UK
• This gained maximum publicity

8
Riots

• Many anti capitalism riots have taken place,
  often coinciding with World Bank meeting
• There are also yearly anti capitalist protests
  in May.

9
Anti War Demonstrations

• Many countries witnessed protest to the war in
  Iraq

10
Summary

• Pressure groups use a variety of tactics
• There main aim is to influence government policy
• If they cannot do this directly then they will
  use other ways to gain the attention of the
  government

• Direct Action can be effective and if the public
  show support for the cause then the government
  can feel the pressure and give in.