What are the Roles of
Pressure Groups?

Presenter:张少媚 Number27,class6
The roles of pressure groups
in Britain and China
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In Britain

1 Definition of pressure groups

2 Classification of pressure groups ( two
ways to classify pressure groups) and
functions

3 Advantages

4 Disadvantages
 The situation in China and my personal
opinion
In Britain
Definition of pressure groups
“interest group”,”lobby group”,”protest
group”
 An organized group that does not put up
candidate for election,but seeks to influence
government policy or legislation.
 Aims:to influence the people who have
power to make decisions.
 Represent and a variety of interest

Classification of pressure
groups

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One way to classify pressure groups is based on
aims.They are promotional groups and sectional
groups.
Promotional groups :
1 Aim to promote a particular cause,(also
called ‘cause’ groups )
2Examples:Shelter,CND,Greenpeace
3Suported by everybody,regardless of
profession or economic position
4Some have few members but a great deal of
influence (e.g. Liberty)
some have many members but little
influence(e.g.CND)

Sectional group:

1Seek to represent the common interest
of a particular section of society

2membership restricted

3stand to gain personally or
economically

4Examples:Trade Union,NUT,BMA
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In “pressure groups,politics and democracy in
Britain”(Philip Allan,1989),Wyn Grant,classify
pressure groups based on their status and
methods.He called them insider groups and
outsider groups.
Insider groups:
1have strong links with decision makers
and are regularly consulted
2considered to be legitimate and have access to
decision-makers(example)
3abide by “the rules of the game”
4government can have a reliable
representative who gathers locals
opinions
outsider groups:

1Work outside the governmental
decision making progress

2resort to illegal methods,endangering
their life and disobeying the law

Methods used to draw
attention


Low cost actions
Choosing to read/view political items in the media.
 Talking about political subjects in the family
 Voting
 Talking in public places about politics
 Signing petitions
 consumer boycott
 Attending political meetings
 Financial contribution to party or cause
 Strike
over pay or working conditions
 Personally lobbying politicians
 Taking part in peaceful demonstrations
 Being active in theorganisation of a party
protest group.


High cost actions
 Violent
protests
 Trespassing
 Vandalism
Advantages
---also the important role of
British politics

serve as vital intermediary institutions
between government and society; assist in
the dispersal of political power; and provide
important counterweights to balance the
concentration of power.
 enable new concerns and issues to reach the
political agenda, thereby facilitating social
progress and preventing social stagnation.
(e.g. the women’s and environmentalist
movements)
increase social cohesion and political
stability by providing a ‘safety-valve’
outlet for individual and collective
grievances and demands.
 assist the surveillance of the
government , improve the accountability
of decision makers to electorates.

Disadvantages

improve participation, but in an unequal way
 Few groups have procedures for consulting
their members
 may be ignored if they do not confirm with the
ideology or agenda of the decision makers.
 some groups operate increases social
discontent and political instability by
intensifying the sense of social frustration and
injustice
The situation in China and my
personal opinion

Hong Kong:
 Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (proChina); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of
Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions (prodemocracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE
Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong
Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions (proChina) [LEE Chark-tim, president]; Hong Kong
Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic
Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman];
Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council
(pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of
Macau:
 Catholic Church [Domingos LAM, bishop];
Macau
Society
of
Tourism
and
Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO,
managing director]; Union for Democracy
Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong,
leader]

China:
 no substantial political opposition groups
exist, although the government has
identified the Falungong sect and the China
Democracy Party as potential rivals

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But at the moment or for a long time,it is
impossible for China to have pressure
groups.As the official in China believe,such
organizations as “Four gangs”,Falungong
sect have a great bad influence on the
Chinese government and its people.They
are very sensitive to such organizations,to
say nothing of pressure groups.But pressure
groups do have its strengths.We should not
overemphasize the disadvantages and
ignore the advantages.
In my own opinion,pressure
groups should exist in China

China is trying to build a
wealthy,democratic and civilized society,it
should listen to different views.
 Non-biased decision can be reached
 Important issues be raised and discussed
 Pressure groups represent
sectional public interest
help to provide checks on the
government to see if they are in
balance with their ongoing activities
 the law can be changed to reflect the
views of the public
 makes government more efficient, the
information and advice provided by groups
helps to improve the quality of government
policy and legislation.
Some people may doubt violent
pressure groups will disturbing balance
and order in China.How to
avoid such things happen?


Resort to peaceful protesting
 Have social cohesion
 Using police to maintain the order
 Strengthen the publicity of education
Suitable ways to influence the
government

Campaigning and peaceful pressure are the
best way to influence the government.
 Using media,broadcasting their views on air.
 collecting a petition
 to conduct their own research and
surveys then publish the results in
newspapers, TV and radio.
conclusion

China is not as developed as Britain,no
matter the level of people’s civilization and
social system.But China can do its best to
optimize the social system .Pressure groups
can exist in China to help to fulfill its
people’s wishes and protect their
interest.Owing to the situation in our
country, China still has a long way to go.
Reference
www.google.com
www.bbc.co.uk
www.yahoo.com
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