Pressure Groups: Formal/Informal

A pressure group is an association that may be formal or informal, whose purpose it is to further the interests of a specific section of society or to promote a particular cause. Pressure groups normally fall under 3 classifications, sectional which represent a specific section of the public, e.g. Age UK, promotion which promotes a particular cause, e.g. Greenpeace and finally dual-function who are a combination of both sectional and promotional, e.g. Countryside Alliance. Pressure groups can also be either insider groups which means that they have a close relationship with the government and have regular consultation with them and also take part in the decision-making process, e.g. National Farmers Union, British Medical Association and Confederation of Business Industries or they can be outsider groups which means they have little to no relationship with the government and influence government through public opinion. There are also aspiring outsider groups like the British Association of Drivers who wish to become insiders.
One type of pressure group is a sectional pressure group. These types of groups represent a specific section of society and therefore they are self-interested of their own members. For example, Age UK is a sectional pressure group as it represents the interests of the elderly. Sectional pressure groups are also known as interest groups. Another type of pressure group is promotional groups. These groups seek to promote a particular cause or issues in society. As a result, they claim that they serve the whole community. Promotional pressure groups are also altruistic as the members do not need to be from a specific section of the public. Examples of a promotional pressure group are environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth.
One function of a pressure group is that they have an educative function. This is because they help to inform and educate the public as well as the government about politically important issues. For