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Interest Groups and Public Policy: The Insider/Outsider Model Revisited*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

William A. Maloney
Affiliation:
Political Science, University of Aberdeen
Grant Jordan
Affiliation:
Political Science, University of Aberdeen
Andrew M. McLaughlin
Affiliation:
Political Science, Glasgow Caledonian University

Abstract

This paper examines the place of groups in the consultative process in British policymaking. It stresses the importance of consultation even under the Thatcher government and distinguishes between consultation, bargaining and negotiation. The paper identifies the important divide between the relatively few groups with privileged status and the greater number of groups who find themselves consigned to less influential positions. The discussion revisits the insider/outsider typology often used to differentiate interest group strategies and status in policy development. It suggests that the insider group term is associated with a particular style of policy making, and offers amendments to the existing use of the terms to avoid the difficulties which occur from the conflation of group strategy and group status.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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