factors influencing pressure group success

insider

• insider groups are consulted by governments

• their aims tend to be more compatible with the government

• and if they are important to the economy they will get a sympathetic hearing from the government

the confederation of British industry works very closely with government to help achieve economic growth and prosperity

social status

• an important social position in society can be key to success, including doctors nurses and police these are groups who may not have economic power but instead high social status

nurses demonstrating against cuts in the NHS receive support from the population which recognises the key role they play in society

wealth

• wealth can be decisive. large industries trade unions and Charites command large funds for campaign purposes

• they can afford to hire expensive lobbyists who advise on how best to conduct their campaign

• unison is a wealthy trade union with over 1.2 million members

celebrity

• having a celebrity endorsement can be a real help in publishing a campaign

• for example Jamie oliver’s campaign for good food in schools revolutionised our attitude to school meals with governments getting on board to support his campaign

• another example of this is Joanna Lumley and her fight for Gurkhas rights

public support

• some groups are successful because they enjoy public support and sympathy

• even if the government is not concerned about the issue it would feel under public pressure to act

for example the NSPCC campaigns against cruelty to children has widespread public support so the government is sympathetic and supports it

size

• the size of a pressure group is a key factor. groups with mass memberships or which clearly represent a large portion of the electorate are more likely to enjoy success

for example age uk represents 12 million pensioners as older people have the highest percentage turnout in elections pensioners are usually well looked after by governments