Pressure Groups - Mini Essa Essay

Do pressure groups effect political participation?
Political participation is changing as more people are actively joining pressure groups . Unlike political parties pressure groups are much narrower and focus mainly on a particular issue, for example Green peace. Although members of a pressure group normally are very actively involved with issues, these issues may be boring and comprehensive to non-members. By winning control over the organs of government, pressure groups do not act to gain power itself but to influence those who have power therefore the do not fight in elections . Pressure groups are divided into different categories for example interest groups. Sectional or Interest groups exist to defend and promote the material interests of their members.( Trades unions, and trade associations are example’s)
Although voting turnout has dramatically decreased, memberships for pressure groups are increasingly rising .Many feel like political parties pledge a number of issues however don’t act upon them which is different to a pressure group as they normally campaign for a key issue. Therefore many believe that by actively joining a pressure group, protesting or joining politicians their voices will be heard. Politicians private life’s as shown in the media also play a part in a decrease in political turnout as many voters see politicians as untrustworthy due to negative media attention. Although nowadays people are a lot more interested in politics they are not joining political parties which were a traditional way in which people would exercise their political views.In my opinion pressure groups enhance democratic participation.