TOPIC 6
INTEREST / PRESSURE GROUPS
Prepared By
MDM. Junaida Hj Ismail
Learning Objectives…………………………
Upon completing this topic, students should be able to:



Define pressure and interest groups
Distinguish among interest groups, pressure
groups and political parties.
Classify interest / pressure groups
6.1 Definitions and functions
6.1.1 Pressure groups / Interest Group

“ … any organised groups which attempt to influence Government decisions without seeking
itself to exercise the formal powers of government. ” (Moodie)

“ a pressure group is a collective individuals whose members want to influence laws. ”

“ a pressure group is any organised group that does not seek power / government but look to
influence government policy. “

“ pressure groups (also called interest groups) are organisation that seek to influence
government decision-makers to adopt policies to benefit their members. ” e.g. trade unions
cont’d
Aims:

The main aim of pressure groups is to affect the decisions of those in power.
Functions :

Popular participation – provide mechanisms where people can participate in politics i.e. antipoll tax campaign (U.K.).

They may complement public – some laws yield benefits to some individuals but harm to
others.

Outright opponents to the Government - extensive trade union disruption took place during
the Callaghan Labour Party of 1976 -1979 (in the U.K ).
cont’d

Political supporters – recent phenomenon in the USA.

They can act as an agent or extensions of government – e.g. British Medical Association (aided
the 1946 National Health Service Act), National Farmers Union (aided the 1947 and 1957
Agriculture Acts)

They act as opponents and critics of all Governments.
6.1.3 Origin of interest / pressure groups

Increased specialisation in society – to promote the ideas, advice, or specialist knowledge of
the groups e.g. environmentalists.

The rapidly expanding population of voters – led to a sharp increase in the demand for local
public goods.

The expansion of existing trade and professional associations – expanded into national
pressure groups e.g. doctors, lawyers, agricultural producers, civil servants etc.

Impacts of wars – those who fought and survived in the wars tend to form organisation to
further their claims for peace e.g. army veterans (survived U.S and U.K soldiers from Iraq
War, Vietnam War or Gulf War) .
Origin of interest / pressure groups

The creation of many bureaus in the legislatures – that inspired individuals to form pressure
groups and try to influence national legislation relating to the bureaus.

Improvements in communication – greatly aided the formation of pressure groups because the
electronic media have reduced the costs of identifying a common interest and making a
collective decisions.

Economic depression – can cause tension in a country and lead to the establishment of pressure
groups e.g. great economic depression in 1930’s caused crisis and formation of labour groups.
6.2 Differences between political parties and interest groups / pressure groups
The differences between these groups can be
understand by understanding the concept of
political parties.

“ a political party is an organisation that supplies three kinds of services :

i) helping legislative candidates get elected,
ii) helping legislators get bills passed, and
iii) helping members of the collective (group) influence legislation.


Differences between political parties and interest groups / pressure
pressure groups … cont’
cont’d
i) Opinion - a political party is a generalist in opinion; - a pressure group is a specialist by
giving people a sharper and more detailed expression than what can be done by political parties.
ii) Interests - a political party represents an aggregation of interests, embraces the whole nation;
- a pressure group emphasizes (concentrates) on the special areas of interest.
Differences between political parties and interest groups / pressure
pressure groups … cont’
cont’d
iii) Goals – a political party aims to acquire power through elections.
– a pressure group has no such purpose but tries to influence political parties.
iv) Nature of membership – the membership of a political party is varied.
of a pressure group is more selective.
– the membership
6.3 Types of interest / pressure groups
ASSOCIATIONAL PRESSURE GROUP
- These groups have a distinctive name, national headquarters, and professional employees and use effective
procedures for pursuing their interest. They include business, industrial, and trade associations, labor unions,
professional associations, farmers groups, and the like. The number of associational groups is growing more
and more in every country. Nowadays, they are active participants in the political process and play an effective
role in bringing changes in public policies. E.g. of the associational Groups are CANADIAN
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATIONS (CMA), MALAYSIAN WANITA ASSOCIATIONS
NON- ASSOCIATIONAL PRESSURE GROUP
- These groups do not have a name or lack formal structures. However, they are aware of their own distinctiveness
from other because they possess similar characteristics and interests. They have a feeling of their own identity.
But, they reflect largely unarticulated social ethnic, cultural or religious interest. The best examples of these
groups are unemployed individuals, members of particular religious or ethnic groups or normative groups of all
non-smokers…
Types of interest / pressure groups
INSTITUTIONAL GROUPS
- They exist within the government. They are well establishment, such as government bureaucracies, members of
armed forces, members of Parliament,. They have vested interest and they lobby from the inside, often out
public sight. Thus, ‘ Pentagon joins defense contractors in promoting weapons programs, and departments such
as Labor, Agriculture, and Education are frequently accused of being captives of the special interest most
directly affected by the programs they administer.
ANOMIC GROUPS
- Born when people strongly oppose specific policies. ANOMIE: means a sense of separation from social norms.
E.g. without any pre-planning or organization when the people want to show their disappointment about a
particular government policy that groups of people is called anomic pressure groups, in United States, the
nation-wide demonstrations against the VIETNAM WAR in 1960s or against the IRAQ WAR in 2002.
Closure…………………
Group discussions :
 Explain these classification of pressure / interest groups.
Outline and explain the characteristics of pressure groups
 Identify and explain the characteristics of interest groups.
 Outline and explain interest groups in Malaysia
 Outline and explain pressure groups in Malaysia
 Identify and explain the differences between pressure groups a nd interest groups.

Learning Objectives……
..Con’’t
Objectives……..Con

Explain the ways how interest / pressure groups get support.

Evaluate the merits and drawbacks of interest / pressure groups.
6.4 How interest / pressure groups get support
6.4.1 Channels
(a means or agency of access)

Legislators – by influencing members of Parliament / Congress e.g. David Steel 1967
Abortion Act (Steel was helped by the pro-abortion pressure groups).

Executives –by influencing ministers and civil servants into introducing legislation e.g.
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Public opinions – campaign for new policies

Political parties – become supporters to the parties that are in line with their objectives e.g.
labour unions support Labour Party.

Courts – use courts to claim certain treaties / laws (e.g. environmental) are not being
followed.

Professional lobbyists – using a professional lobbyist in Legislatures to put their views across
e.g. the National Farmers Union used a professional lobbyist in the Parliament.
How interest / pressure groups get support? … cont’
cont’d
6.4.2 Strategies
(How do pressure groups achieve their aims /
objectives?)

Approaching the lawmakers / legislators – lobbying technique especially in the country
where Parliament is supreme like in the U.K.

Approaching administrators – through personal contacts with them, supplying research or
bribery (monetary supplies).

Approaching judiciary – through ‘ class ‘ action or ‘ friend of the court ‘ esp. when the court
is supreme.

Demonstration / picketing – expressing grievances, supports or protests openly by public
rallies.

Riots – violent protests (a disturbance / chaos made byan unruly mob)
6.5 Evaluation on interest/ pressure groups
6.5.1 benefits of pressure groups
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They provide expert information and advice

They provide a framework for public to participate in politics
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They can define and focus public attention on issues and get them on the political agenda.

They reflect the amount of public consent for government policies.
Evaluation on interest/ pressure groups … cont’
cont’d
6.5.2 Harmful effects of pressure groups
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They give too much weight to marginal groupings.
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They are too close to Government but not really represent the general public.
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The are not democratically accountable as political parties have to be.
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They continue to be a significant source of power, pressure and opinion in certain political
system (e.g. British political system).