2013-12715

Bayot, Ama Nikita R.

Interest Groups: The Influence of Non-Occupational Pressure Groups in French Policy

Making

Interest Groups

The union between people or institutions that is formed for the purpose of opinion and
interest sharing that is used to influence the effects of politics all throughout is usually referred to
as interest groups (Grigsby, 2005). Comparing it to various parties, interest groups, or sometimes
referred to as pressure groups, have no desire in taking part in various aspects of the government.
(Bell, 2002).

Interest groups usually form to promote a specific cause agreed upon by the members of
the said group or a common advocacy that would benefit everyone in a community which is
usually done through lobbying a way of pressuring legislators to vote or propose a certain
policy or advocacy the group was promoting (Thomas, 2014).

The Nature of Interest Groups in France

French interest groups were often known to have a weak hold in influencing the political
system in France (Hall and Keeler, 2001). Lack of trust, small number of mobilizations and the
individualism that is prevalent in the French are some of the factors that made their interest
groups organizational abilities weak ( Elgie and Griggs, 2013).

Hall and Keeler assumed three reasons on French interest groups ineffectiveness. The
first assumption was the customary individualism and results of centralization; the second
assumption was the perception on interest groups as having no authority in policy making
decisions, which was influenced by the Jacobin ethos. And lastly, was the active participation of
the French in social movements or protests.

The said lack of trust in interest groups came from the influence of Rosseaus ideology
that only the state should have ultimate power and control in the political system. Because of the
states representation of the sovereign thus they believe that such particularistic groups shall not
influence the sovereigns will. They also concluded that the weak mobilization in France is
defined by the individualism established in the French political culture. Another reason was the
dividing factor in French interest groups, having one group clash with each other because of
different ideologies and perceptions on one cause or advocacy (Elgie and Griggs, 2013).

While it had been said that the nature of French interest groups were weak and
ineffective, it is opposite to the protest action in the country which was deemed to be strong. The
rise in the protest action actually changed the environment for interest groups, for some of these
demonstrations are usually not arranged by interest group leaders because of the faction inside
their own groups (Elgie and Griggs, 2013).

Interest groups who have been on the struggling end in influencing the political process,
still try to penetrate through lobbying for it was found to be the most effective way in engaging
in policy making or politically related decision in a government. Lobbying the legislators was
said to be effective until the Fifth Republic because of the stricter power-centric discipline,
which made it hard for interest groups to break in to the political process again (Hall and Keeler,
2001).
Meanwhile Hall and Keeler found protesting to be another resort in pressuring the policy
process. Where in France, protest activities were highly remarkable and are often known to be
effective in disrupting the political system. Cases in point, interest group leaders were
interviewed and 60% claimed protesting to be effective and 22% referred to it as ineffective.

Types of Interest Groups in France

According to S.E Finer, there are two kinds of interest groups; the occupational interest
groups and the promotional groups. It said that occupational interest groups are groups
related with the economic function of the state and promotional groups are the ones dealing
with the issues in general (Bell, 2002).

The mentioned promotional groups can also be classified under non-occupational

groups which is referred to as a group that promotes special interests (e.g students, veterans, and
parents) (Wilson, 1987).

Occupational Groups in France

Interests groups under occupational interest groups are said to be the states social
partners and is considered to be important as they are usually the ones to influence the political
process in France. Aside from this they also serve as the bridge to connect the economy to the
world, together with the purpose in promoting their advocacies (Wilson, 1987).

These groups are consisted of unions, business and owners organization, farmers, and the
liberal professions. Their quick response to changes that is against their advocacy in the economy
makes them powerful and influential (Bell, 2002).

Non-Occupational Interest Groups in France

These non-occupational groups is usually found to have little government financial

help, weak and unorganized. Most of the times these interest groups fail to mobilize their
members which lead to their ineffectiveness in influencing the government. Another cause of
their ineffectiveness is the frequent tension between the factions in the same group (Wilson,
1987).

A comparative study conducted by Baumgartner and Walker concentrating on policy

making and interest groups specifically in the ministry of education, showed that policy making
for education was strongly and consistently consulted by the French government to the large
educational interest groups which falls under the non-occupational group.

Although in general French interest groups influence varies depending on the sector of
the economy they are concentrated in which sometimes make them weak and ineffective. Often
times, the conflict inside their own interest group limits them to the power to influence the
ministry of Education which leads to the limited influence over other government sectors too
(Baumgartner and Walker, 1989).

But in some cases interest groups with remarkable and well-organized members, can
influence the government. Like in the case of the non-occupational groups like the agricultural
and business groups who reportedly have much more influence compared to trade unions under
the occupational groups. In some cases, the French government develop a relationship with an
interest group through time especially when an official needs a partner for their task to be
successful which also gives easy access to affect the political process (Hall and Keeler, 2001).
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baumgartner, Frank R., and Jack L. Walker. "Educational Policymaking and the Interest Group
Structure in France and the United States." Comparative Politics 21.3 (1989): 273-88. Print.

Bell, David Scott. "Interest Groups." French Politics Today. New ed. Manchester: Manchester
UP, 2002. Print.

Elgie, Robert, and Steven Griggs. "Interest Groups." French Politics: Debates and
Controversies. London: Routledge, 2000. Print.

Grigsby, Ellen. "Comparative Politics II: Interest Groups, Political Parties, and Elections."
Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to Political Science. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson
Wadsworth, 2005. Print.

Hall Peter A. And Keeler John. Interest Representation and the Politics of Protest. Machine H,
et al Developments in French Politics 2. New York: Pallgrave Macmillan, 2001. Print.

Thomas, Clive. "Interest Group | Political Science." Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.

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Cambridge UP, 1987. Print.

Wilson, Frank Lee. "The Non- Occupational Groups." Interest-group Politics in France.
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