Do we need political parties and pressure groups? Should there be limits on their
actions?
Political parties are the connections between the state and people. Another association that
share a similar link are the pressure groups, which ordinary citizen sees as more important
than political parties due to its mode of representation. According to Heywod (1997: 252)
interests groups are mainly used in the USA to describe those groups that defend the interests
of their members while pressure groups are known organisations which provide decision
makers with specialists’ knowledge. However, do we need political parties and pressure
groups? This is what this essay aims to explore and if there should be limitations on their
actions.
Political parties are concerned with enormous policies and multiple appeals, encompassing
different kinds of issues. However, pressure groups are more structured into its member’s
objectives, campaigning for minor or single case and technical improvements. Such charges
can perhaps be of great significance to their members however, it can be at no relevant to
some people. Political parties and pressure groups have different ideologies and concepts.
“A second, more important distinction is that whilst parties aim to achieve power, or a share
of power, by winning control over the organs of government, pressure groups do not act to
gain power itself but to influence those who have power (BBC website, 2003)”
Pressure groups do not seek or fight during elections but campaign for the interests of their
members using diverse methods. Pressure groups can be classified into cause groups and
sectional groups, with the interests groups called the former. Sectional groups operates to
enhance the objectives of their members. For example, the trade unions and the National
farmers union. Similarly, cause groups, aims to promote the cause that is not for the purpose
of members material welfare. They do group campaign for a particular purpose. For example,
promoting against abortion, the nuclear disarmament and blood sports elimination. The
distinction between these groups is the outsider and insider groups. The outsider groups do
not have close relationship with the government while the insider groups have close rapur
with governmental departments. The insider groups have gained the trust of government and
they carry out negotiations unbehalf of their members concerning issues most citizens do not
understand. Moreover, outsider groups in most cases, acquire more focus from the citizens
and within the press than insider groups. Even though a pressure group activity focuses more
on well-organised and wealthy people, we need them in the society for the stability of the
economy. According to Karl Marx this are the bourgeoisies who owns the means of
production, and hence, the society can only run effectively with their cooperation. On the
other hand, political parties promote a democratic ideology which is of great importance in
the society.
(BBC website, 2003)
1
actions?
Political parties are the connections between the state and people. Another association that
share a similar link are the pressure groups, which ordinary citizen sees as more important
than political parties due to its mode of representation. According to Heywod (1997: 252)
interests groups are mainly used in the USA to describe those groups that defend the interests
of their members while pressure groups are known organisations which provide decision
makers with specialists’ knowledge. However, do we need political parties and pressure
groups? This is what this essay aims to explore and if there should be limitations on their
actions.
Political parties are concerned with enormous policies and multiple appeals, encompassing
different kinds of issues. However, pressure groups are more structured into its member’s
objectives, campaigning for minor or single case and technical improvements. Such charges
can perhaps be of great significance to their members however, it can be at no relevant to
some people. Political parties and pressure groups have different ideologies and concepts.
“A second, more important distinction is that whilst parties aim to achieve power, or a share
of power, by winning control over the organs of government, pressure groups do not act to
gain power itself but to influence those who have power (BBC website, 2003)”
Pressure groups do not seek or fight during elections but campaign for the interests of their
members using diverse methods. Pressure groups can be classified into cause groups and
sectional groups, with the interests groups called the former. Sectional groups operates to
enhance the objectives of their members. For example, the trade unions and the National
farmers union. Similarly, cause groups, aims to promote the cause that is not for the purpose
of members material welfare. They do group campaign for a particular purpose. For example,
promoting against abortion, the nuclear disarmament and blood sports elimination. The
distinction between these groups is the outsider and insider groups. The outsider groups do
not have close relationship with the government while the insider groups have close rapur
with governmental departments. The insider groups have gained the trust of government and
they carry out negotiations unbehalf of their members concerning issues most citizens do not
understand. Moreover, outsider groups in most cases, acquire more focus from the citizens
and within the press than insider groups. Even though a pressure group activity focuses more
on well-organised and wealthy people, we need them in the society for the stability of the
economy. According to Karl Marx this are the bourgeoisies who owns the means of
production, and hence, the society can only run effectively with their cooperation. On the
other hand, political parties promote a democratic ideology which is of great importance in
the society.
(BBC website, 2003)
1
