Handout: Pressure Groups and Parties

by peped

Pressure Groups and Parties

Similarities
Parties	Pressure Groups
Parties produce policies that they hope to implement	Pressure groups also develop policies that they hope governments will implement
Parties develop policies across a wide range of concerns	Some pressure groups, such as trade unions and the CBI, also adopt policies across a broad range
Parties put up candidates for election	Some pressure groups, such as the Right to Life Campaign and anti-European Pressure Groups, are now putting up candidates for office.
Parties have a recognisable philosophy	Some single-issue parties, such as the UK Independence Party and the Referendum party have a distinct identity.
Parties have a formal organisation	Some large pressure groups, such as trade unions and the CBI have formal structures.
Differences
Political parties pursue governmental power	Pressure groups do not aspire to form a government
Political parties put up candidates for office	Most, but not all, pressure groups do not fight elections
Parties adopt policies to cover all aspects of government	Pressure groups usually have a narrow range of concerns
Democratic parties must act responsibly and respect the democratic process	Pressure groups do not have to consider the responsibilities of government and can use direct action, such as the fuel protests in autumn 2000.
The financing of parties is legally controlled	Pressure groups have no financial constraints.