ABSTRACT
This chapter concentrates on pressure groups that adopt particular strategies to have their messages heard by government. In political science several descriptive terms are used to label political actors and groups who are outside government but try to have influence, including interest groups, pressure groups, lobby groups, non-government or community-based organisations, issue movements and social movements. Pressure groups are increasingly involved in consultation processes with government over policy decision-making. Consultation is different from the pressure group strategic repertoires because consultation and its political agenda is at the discretion of governments, and usually takes the form of an invitation to participate in the decision-making process. Lobbying by pressure groups falls into two approaches: those for whom lobbying is their main activity, and those who choose to combine lobbying with other strategies. Business- and industry-oriented pressure groups occupy a privileged position of access and power that is shared by very few other types of pressure group.
