The Effects of Pressure Groups on the Government Essay example

Pressure groups play a vital role within the increasingly complex and multicultural electorate. A single Member of Parliament, Representative or Senator has a diverse constituency base to represent, which makes it difficult to represent a variety of often conflicting interests. This is where pressure groups are critical to representative democracy as they allow the interests of specific groups to be represented by an organisation that is dedicated to them and understands them fully. Whilst this is a positive argument, pressure groups with vast amounts of power make this vital function of representation difficult to carry out fairly for all pressure groups involved.

25: ‘The most successful UK pressure groups still tend to focus on lobbying the Westminster

However, size of pressure groups can create a twist in the democratic process as well as how big your pressure group is in terms of numbers. The Countryside Alliance put out an amazing number of 300,000 sympathisers on the streets in 2003 for a protest on a ban on hunting with canines as well as issues in the rural areas. This caused an immediate panic of the government and which included an effort to run down the hunting bill in parliament generating a lot of scrutiny. But the large turnout did not reflect public opinion on the main issue of fox hunting, but they were in favour of a full ban. This represents a large population but it doesn’t necessarily mean they reflect the

Before examining the extent to which interest groups contribute to democracy in the US, it is first important to define the term in question as well as summarise the ways in which such groups are able to influence politics in America. The most widely accepted definition of interest groups is that they are private organisations who advance the shared interests of their members in order to influence government and public policy (Berry and Wilcox, 2008). However, unlike political parties, interest groups do not try to seek office, but instead use other methods to affect government.

Although few people would deny that pressure groups play an important role in British politics, critics have argued that this role may not be the one suggested by the pluralist model. Pressure groups improve participation, but in an unequal way, benefiting the well organized but

In our society the most important rights that any citizens should exercise is the right of speech. The first amendment is one of the most influential rights that a person have, this right s important to the survival of democracy and the respect to one’s dignity.

It is not debated that pressure groups have a legitimate role in American government due to the rights placed in the constitution; however, many people believe that they damage democracy and have too much power. It is accepted that inevitably people will seek opportunities to advance their own interests and consequently the number of pressure groups has grown considerably in the 1960's and 1970's. Many members of the general public might concede that the interest groups offer some advantages but do not like their ever growing influence.

Citizens of the United States shall have the right to free speech. Persons shall be permitted to express their opinions freely in any way whether that be orally, written, recorded, displayed on websites, or by using symbols, signs or images.

A pressure group is a group of people with specific aims and interests. Also known as interest groups, lobby groups or protest groups, they try to influence political decision makers such as MPs and councillors to influence local or national policy and/or legislation. They seek to do so, either to protect interests of members (e.g. Trade Unions, NUT) or promote a cause (e.g. Greenpeace or RSPCA). Not all pressure groups are as successful as others, and there are many reasons for this.

For example, interest groups, “a group of people who share common goals and organize to influence the government”, can bring about this change. (503, Interest Group Organization). In addition, interest groups, “try to influence government officials to support certain policies” (504, Defining Interest Groups). Therefore, the interest groups’ purpose is to support policies citizens are concerned about. Citizens should engage with interest groups because they connect the gap between the people and the government. Groups, who are made of citizens, spend countless hours and money to bring change to the public by influencing government officials and bringing attention to them. Similar to our Generation Citizen, where together as a class, reached out to city council and our citizen targets to educate the public about the effects of addiction of e-cigs. Interest groups are effective at building relationships with government officials and using funding to draft bills for approval by the government. Engagement is an important role for a citizen because within interest groups, citizens are able to communicate their desires to government officials and protect the well-being of the citizens of America. Furthermore citizens join interest groups to, “protect or promote their economic self-interest… get their beliefs translated into policy” (505, Leadership and Membership). Thus, by joining an interest group, citizens are more likely to get what they desire. For example, union workers are part of interest groups that include labor unions and together, by gathering workers together, they are able to stride for higher wages or better benefits. Another intermediary that engages with citizens are lobbyists. In the textbook it states that, “lobbyists are representatives of interest groups who make direct contact with lawmakers” (508, The Work of

Interest groups are groups of people who share the same views on public matters and work to shape public policy. Interest groups, sometimes called “pressure groups,” try to influence public policy. In doing so, they are more powerful than a few people acting alone could ever be. Interest groups are found everywhere in America and are involved with almost every level of government. The United States has many different cultures, religions, and ethnic groups. Members of these communities shape public policy both negatively and positively by joining or supporting an interest group. An interest group affects democracy in more negative way than a positive way most of the time depending on how you feel about the said group.( McClenaghan 242)

I think the interest groups are the primary factor influencing the acts of government. I believe there should be tougher restrictions and more strict oversight of the interest group. The interest group has plenty of resources and is helping in influencing the people in higher ranks and higher positions to support the legislature. The groups have the right to know about the money they have funded are going on the right path or not. They should be strictly watched by the law to ensure there is no violence and should be done by the legislation of the United States. The violence may cause various problems and may harm the peace and harmony of the country. Although the money is funded privately, the use should be disclosed and should have more impact on public rather

Pressure groups are groups of like minded individuals who come together on the basis of shared interests or a commonly held cause in order to put pressure on policy makers at Westminster and beyond. Pressure groups are significantly more numerous than political parties because whereas the parties tend to aggregate and accommodate a wide range of views in an effort to see their candidate elected to public off, pressure groups have a tendency to fragment opinion. Recent years have seen the emergence of looser social movements and more focused single-issue groups, replacing larger, more traditional groups as a fundamental

An interest group is an organized group of individuals that make policy related appeals to government. Interest groups exert pressure on the Congress and bureaucrats at the same time influencing the bills that later becomes laws. They support the Congress and bureaucrats financially contribution and with information since they have the resources to do so. Interest groups often have lawyers that can write their proposal that can become law.

Pressure Groups are distinct from political parties in the sense that they do not seek political posts and they do not contest elections. But one important element that makes them what they are is the