Pressure groups are groups that seek to influence politics in order to achieve particular goals, sometimes in their own interests or that of minority groups within the population. However, this essay will reject the view that pressure groups enhance democracy.

This essay will compare the influence of corporations and pressure groups within government policy, examining successful pressure groups and corporations as well as those that fall short. Ultimately, this essay will conclude that it is clear that apart from a few influential pressure groups, corporations have a much greater influence on government policy.

Pressure groups, in general, and think tanks and lobbyists, in particular, remain to have a big impact on government policy. Insider groups, however, have more influence than outsider groups. Think tanks and lobby firms, being types of insider groups, have a lot of influence, but, in recent years, their influence has diminished.