Posted by Chester Morton / Saturday 9 April 2016 / No comments
Methods used by Pressure Groups to achieve their aim
PRESSURE GROUP
Definition
A pressure group can be defined as a group of people who come
together with the sole purpose of influencing government policies to favour
them. For example, the Ghana Bar Association, Ghana National Association of
Teachers to mention but a few.
METHODS EMPLOYED BY PRESSURE GROUPS
Constitutional Means
One constitutional method available to pressure groups is
that they could submit a petition to parliament concerning a particular
legislation before it so as to influence the formulate and eventual passage of
the bill in a manner that benefits their members.
Lobbying
This is a form of advocacy with the intention of influencing
decisions made by the government. It includes all attempts to influence
parliamentarians and other officials, whether by other legislators,
constituents, or organized groups. A pressure group may lobby government
officials and policymakers to implement policies that benefit their members.
Strikes actions and boycotts
Pressure groups may resort to the use of strikes actions to
force the hand of the government to listen to them. In Africa especially, the
government understand only one language and that is if workers or citizens go
on strike or use boycotts. This works very well in election years where the
government of the day wishes to remain in power.
Debates or seminars
Pressure groups could organize public debates to educate the
public on particular issues of importance to them. The idea is that, with the
issues well explained, the public can then sympathize with them and help bring pressure to bear on the ruling government to listen to them.
Pressure groups may commission a research into a particular
phenomenon or may even organize an opinion poll on a subject. They could then
recommend a solution which they could forward to the government of the day to
implement, knowing it would benefit their members.
Politics
Where a pressure group believes that a political party has a
fair chance of winning an election, they may support that political party with
the belief that if it wins political power then they can influence that party
to implement policies to favour their members.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. a. What are pressure groups? [2 marks]
b. Highlight five
methods used by pressure groups to achieve their aim. [10 marks]
2. Elaborate on six methods used by pressure groups to
achieve their aims. [12 marks]
ALSO READ:
Types of pressure groups
