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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.

Human, Group, Clock, Time, Silhouette
Research
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
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