8/8/2019 112 Protest vs Pressure

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/112-protest-vs-pressure 1/2

2006-50445 January 27, 2010

SOC 112 ± D

Protest and Pressure groups

Protest and Pressure groups have one essential difference: they have different methods of dealing

with problems which arise in the society and that are primarily caused by the abuse of power. The actions

of protest and pressure groups are grounded on different types of power relations. According to the

framework of John Scott, a developed form of power which is termed as domination can be classified into

two, depending on the method used. These two methods are domination through constraint and

domination through authority. Domination through constraint is facilitated through coercion and

inducement of the ruled class by the rulers. In contrast, domination through authority is facilitated through

the expertise and commands of the rulers. As compared to domination through constraint, domination

through authority is more subtle and it uses less forceful and violent methods. According to John Scott,

dominion through constraint uses corrective influences, which control the people. An example of a

corrective influence is the use of a reward and punishment system. On the other hand, dominion through

authority uses persuasive influences such as appeals to beliefs, ideals, and values of the ruled class.

Because there are two types of domination, there are two types of counteractive methods ± one

against each type. For domination through constraint, the most common counteractive measure is the

 protest. For domination through authority, the most common counteractive measure is the pressure group.

In domination through constraint, protests are the usual method because domination cannot be overthrown

or averted using any other way. Certain groups of people, especially the counter-elite, use protests to

show that they are against the system as a whole. Protests could be seen as the last resort of groups of 

 people whose appeals for change are not and would not be heard. Protests are definitely not legal, and

they are outside the formal institutions. People who engage in these types of activities only do so because

they know that staging protests is the only way they would be given the attention that they want. On the

other hand, for domination through authority, pressure groups are the usual outlets for complaints.

Pressure groups, compared to protest groups, are accorded with a degree of legitimacy. They are

recognized by the elite to some extent because though pressure groups are against the formal institutions,

some individuals in pressure groups also come from the elite class. Also, in contrast to protest groups,

 pressure groups follow the rules set by formal institutions instead of bypassing them and using ³illegal´

means of stating their views. This lets them go against the formal institution through legal means which

are accepted by the ruling elite.

8/8/2019 112 Protest vs Pressure

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/112-protest-vs-pressure 2/2

Protest and Pressure groups involve different types of people. Protest groups are primarily

composed of the masses. These are people who have no substantial access to resources, and they have no

ability to induce change through ³legal´ means which follow the rules set by the elites. Pressure groups,

on the other hand, are composed mainly of elites. This is because they are the ones who have enough

resources, such as power, which can really have an influence on the decision-making process in the

formal institutions. They are the ones who can indirectly induce change by using their resources to

influence others. Protest and pressure groups also have different sentiments, though they both aim to

induce change in the system. Protest groups are more radical. They want to overthrow the whole system

and seize it for themselves because they want to accomplish their goals. They want change, and they want

it to be a large-scale change. On the other hand, pressure groups tend to be more subtle in accomplishing

their goals. They usually simply push, urge, threaten or encourage the elites in power to pass laws, bills,

decisions, and the like which are beneficial to themselves.