Watch the video and then discuss the advice you would offer before comparing your ideas with those suggested.

Suggestions

An organised group of people who want to influence law reform in a particular area. e.g. British Medical Association, Fathers4Justice, Law Society, Greenpeace, Stonewall, Ash, etc.

Pressure groups can be divided into sectional and cause groups:

  • A cause group is interested in a particular cause (e.g. father’s rights).
  • A sectional group or interest groups represent the interests of members, such as professional organisations and trade unions (e.g. the British Medical Association)
  • The success of pressure groups depends on whether they are insider or outsider groups.

Insider Outsider
Have the ‘ear of the government’ Do not have the ‘ear of the government’
Never break the law when publicising an issue Regularly break the law when publicising an issue
Never overtly criticise the government Regularly criticise.
Donate money to the government Never donate money to the government