THE FUNCTIONS OF LOBBY GROUPS

Lobby groups carry out a range of functions. These include:

1. Representation
2. Political participation
3. Education
4. Policy formulation
5. Policy implementation

Representation: Lobby groups provide a mouthpiece for groups and interests that are not adequately represented through the electoral process or by political parties. This occurs, in part, because groups are concerned with the specific rather than the general. Whereas parties attempt to broaden their appeal, trying to catch (potentially) all voters, lobby groups can articulate the views or interests of particular groups and focus on specific causes.

Political participation: Lobby groups have become an increasingly important agent of political participation. Moreover, a range of lobby groups, mainly outsider groups, seek to exert influence precisely by mobilizing popular support through activities such as petitions, marches, demonstrations and other forms of political protests. Such forms of political participation is particularly attractive to young people.

Education: Much of what the public knows about politics it finds out through lobby groups of one kind or another. Many lobby groups, indeed, operate largely through their ability to communicate with the public and raise political consciousness. Groups therefore often devote significant resources to acrrying out research, maintaining websites, commenting on government policy and using high-profile academics, scientists and even celebrities to get their views across. An emphasis is therefore placed on cultivating expert authority.

Policy formulation: Although lobby groups, by definition, are not policy-makers, this does not prevent many lobby groups from participarting in the policy-making process. In particular, lobby groups are a vital source of information and advice to governments. Many groups, are therefore regularly consulted in the process of policy formulation, with government policy increasingly being developed through policy networks.

Policy implementation: The role of some lobby groups extends beyond trying to shape the content of public policy to playing a role in putting policy into practice.

5 Reasons FOR lobby groups

1. Widen Power: Lobby groups strengthen representation by articulating interests and advancing views that tend to be ignored by political parties. They also provide a means of influencing government between elections, especially giving a political voice to minority groups that are ignored by political parties.
2. Promote education: Lobby groups stimulate debate and discussion, helping to create a better-informed and more educated electorate. In particular, they provide citizens with alternative sources of information. In providing government with technical expertise and practical advice, they also improve the quality of public policy.
3. Extend participation: Lobby groups broaden the scope of political participation. They do this both by providing an alternative to conventional party and electoral politics and by offering opportunities for grass roots activism. Groups participation  may be especially attractive to the young and those disillusioned by conventional politics.
4. Limiting government: Lobby groups check government power and, in the proces, defend rights and freedom. They do this because they are autonomous and independent from government. Lobby groups thus ensure that ther state is balanced against a vigorous adn healthy civil society.
5. Maintain stability: In providing a channel of communication between citizens and government, lobby groups help to uphold political stability by ensuring that government responds to popular demands and concerns. Lobby groups therefore function as a kind of safety valve in the political system.