Abstract
A pressure group is an association of individuals which, at any point in time, tries to influence government policy in its own chosen direction. It differs from a political party in that it does not seek to obtain power to govern; and its aim is narrow and specific rather than extending over a broad range of issues. Sometimes the term ‘interest group’ is used, while ‘The Lobby’1 may be regarded as a collective description of all groups.
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Reading
S. E. Finer, Anonymous Empire (London: Pall Mall, 1965)
J. J. Richardson, The Policy-Making Process (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1969)
W. N. Coxall, Parties and Pressure Groups (London: Longman, 1981)
G. K. Roberts, Political Parties and Pressure Groups (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1970)
J. J. Richardson and A. G. Jordan, Governing under Pressure (Oxford: Martin Robertson, 1979)
D. Marsh (ed.) Pressure Politics (London: Junction Books, 1983).
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© 1984 S.G. Richards
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Richards, S.G. (1984). Pressure Groups. In: Introduction to British Government. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-07414-3_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-07414-3_9
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-37255-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-07414-3
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