Introduction
Pressure group can be defined as a group that seeks to influence legislations of policies of a government. The group has several names among them is interest groups and lobby groups. These groups do not have power to make decisions neither do they look for the power of a political office but what they tend to put pressure on the decision makers in the government. They can influence policies by informing the lawmakers the group preferences, it can also fund election campaign, deciding to vote as a bloc and finally influence members of the executive hence it is a force to reckon with (Watts 2007).
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The relationship between science and pressure groups come at a point where human behavior is examined from a different perspective in terms of modes of expression, a particular techniques, and history. Science employs the evidence-based approach, hypothesis testing and model building of science when it comes to investigation of a specific phenomenon mostly social among the groups, by the use of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. (Richardson 1993).
There are several ways different organization and groups’ influences science. Let’s take an example the government’s policies on climate change. The lobby groups have played a bigger part when it comes to fighting climate change. They have come up with forums, sponsoring programs on climate change and taking an initiative of ensuring that the citizens are aware of dangers in climate change and their effects. This is a direct influence the group have had in influencing science the decisions on climate change are scientific in nature a good example of this is ‘Campaign against climate change’ pressure group The Independent magazine they held protest in the United Kingdom giving pressure to the government and hence influences the rate at which climate change was being handled (Independent 2015).
The relationship between the government and pressure groups should be the one that works. This group is very influential they have a capability of influencing a behavioral change because of the resources they have. A good example of this is PAC (Political Action Committees) which always work for a particular party during elections in the United States. They fund a political campaign of a specific candidate who will ensure their interest is put into consideration when in power the fact that PAC influences the way people think and the behavior influences science and, in this case, the social science (Boundless 2015).
Lobbyist is another pressure group that consists of over twelve thousand members in America Washington, but it’s only a handful of the number that has influence and the needed connection to influence policies. Lobbyists work precisely to influence decision makers, or policies make in Congress together with the members of the executive branch. Though they have unclear impact, the lobbyists have got great social influence when it comes to public policy a good example of their influence is for National Rifle Association policy of private rifles ownerships (Boundless 2015).
Scientist in the United States have identified In the United States; political scientists have identified occurrences known as “policy niches” and “iron triangles” this is in regards to lobbyist–policy-maker relations. In such cases, members of the legislature, lobbyists, and, other stakeholders get policies enacted by working together ensuring the policies has got all interest of all the group (Boundless 2015).
The organization like Action for Smoking and Health (ASH) in UK is a group that organizes charity walk in the campaign of elimination of effects of tobacco in the society. The group aim is to create awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco and pressing for policies that will reduce the consumption of the same the action of this group has not only provided benefits to benefits to the addicts but it has also come up with facilities of rehabilitation fully equipped and hence dealing with the root cause of tobacco addiction. The group has also been in the forefront in ensuring policies are implemented when it comes to packaging of tobacco, this shows how influential the group is worldwide.
Trade unions is also another pressure group; it is worldwide with the main purpose being fighting for employees’ right. The union has been very important ensuring employers give employees the right tool for the job example a chemical plant would provide their employees with full protective kit together with medical benefits if they got hurt within the company. This has been made law in most of the country because of the pressure and the influence of trade unions in those countries
The question in mind is how these pressure groups have come organization helped in the influence of science. For instance PAC (Political Action Committee) the funds they provide for election dictate the policies that their candidate will implement when it comes to science. During President JF Kennedy, the first man on earth set foot on the moon. This was a political policy directly attached to science. In the same scenario PAC provides funds and policies on scientific research and innovation ensuring United States stays top when it comes to scientific research this, therefore, will ensure the US government remains the most powerful country hence there interest in the country will be safe. (Interest groups, Lobbyist and PAC 2015).
Lobbyists have also played a bigger part when it comes to influencing science. Global warming has been fought by the group ensuring strict laws have been enacted the laws that will ensure the emission of carbon dioxide has been reduced and also championing for energy saving they are championing for a scientific The measures they have in fighting environmental changes by discouraging the burning of materials such as fossil fuels and oil that emits carbon dioxide in plenty. The lobbyists also fund energy saving projects and helps in the funding of the research that aims to reduce global warming. (Independent 2015).
Action of Smoking and Health (ASH) has provided funds that have been helpful in setting up rehabilitation centers in UK to fight against tobacco consumption. They have also helped in educating the public about the effects of tobacco and this they have done more research on tobacco effects and the funds in the group has been essential for the research. (Richardson 1993).
Trade unions influence on politics has enabled politicians to respect the social well-being of the employees. So apart of supporting and influencing the outcome of an election based on their rich vote block the effects have been linked to social-science. The fact that the union has affected (Watts 2007).
Aids activist group campaign on the inclusion of women and homosexual on the research for HIV by the researchers has been a key tool in the fight against HIV. The previous established researchers had issues with homosexuals debating whether it was a mental disorder hence it wasn’t considered in the research, women were also a vulnerable species based on the fact that they could get pregnant and hence rendering them a wrong sample. This group fought for, and their campaign opened up a wide door on the research for HIV Aids and to date their efforts have bear fruit because sexes and sexuality are considered BY HIV researchers (Guardian 2015).
The “campaign against climate change group” their campaign against global warming was a success. The policies made in the by the leaders was a big step in fighting global warming in UK was big. (Independent 2015).
In conclusion the pressure group has an effect on science, for instance, the last two campaigns was specifically for scientific measure. The group which has got a common course and a free willing entry and exit is more cohesive and influential not only in science but in other dimensions too like politics.
References
Watts, D. (2007). Pressure groups. Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press. Accessed from http://site.ebrary.com/id/10435306.
Richardson, J. J. (1993). Pressure groups. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Great Britain. (1994). Pressure groups. London, H.M.S.O.
Vanessa, H. 2013. World AIDS Day: how AIDS activists changed medical research | The Guardian Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/dec/01/world-aids-day-how-aids-activists-changed-medical-research. [Accessed 30 March 2015].
The Independent. 2015. Climate change must stay on political agenda, say protesters – Climate Change – Environment. The Independent. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/climate-change-must-stay-on-political-agenda-say-protesters-10093586.html. [Accessed 30 March 2015].
Boundless. 2015. Interest Groups, Lobbyists, and PACs. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.boundless.com/political-science/textbooks/boundless-political-science-textbook/congress-11/how-congressmen-decide-82/interest-groups-lobbyists-and-pacs-451-10965/. [Accessed 30 March 2015].

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