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Pressure Groups
Pressure Groups
Pressure groups are organisations that are formed to persuade government and parliament to make decisions or laws that advance their cause or interest. Pressure groups are formed because people can exert more influence together and have a greater chance of success than as individuals.
A stakeholder is anyone who has interest in a political decision.
Sectional Pressure Groups
Sectional Pressure Groups
Sectional Pressure groups represent a 'section' of society. Economic, industrial, an professional interests motivate people to want political change. Examples of sectional pressure groups include
The Australian Medical Association
The Australian Nursing Federation
Electrical Trades Union
National Tertiary Education Union
Australian Council of Social Services
Business Council of Australia
Sectional tend to be better resourced and organised than promotional/cause based groups. They also often have more connections to power that enable successful influence.
Sectional Pressure Group in the News
Sectional Pressure Group in the News
Cause Based or Promotional Pressure Groups
Cause Based or Promotional Pressure Groups
Cause based groups have specific and usually alturistic aims. An issue where morality and the right thing to do is disputed tends to encourage political participation. Cause based groups may be seeking to influence the government on such causes as the environment, the rights of a particular group, animals, fairness, refugees etc. Some examples of cause based groups include:
Australian Conservation Foundation
Australians for Marriage Equality
Australian Refugee Advocacy Network
Cause based pressure groups tend to work more with the media to influence society rather than directly influence the government. They also tend to be less well funded and have lower membership.
Cause Based Group in the News
Cause Based Group in the News
Strategies to Influence Government
Strategies to Influence Government
Direct Action
Direct Action
Pressure groups may go directly to policy makers to influence their decisions. Lobbying is an example of direct action. Lobbying is holding meetings with a policy maker over a particular issue. Lobbyist are usually well respsected experts in their field.
Indirect Action
Indirect Action
Indirect action seeks to influence the beliefs of society at large in order to shape policy by public opinion. Examples include the media, or by public protests.
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