In terms of pressure groups, what is meant by 'outsider' pressure groups?

Outsider pressure groups are organizations that operate independently from government influence and do not have direct access to policy-makers. These groups aim to influence public opinion and policy decisions from the outside rather than through formal channels or established relationships with government entities. They often rely on grassroots mobilization, public campaigns, and advocacy to draw attention to their causes and sway public sentiment.

By contrast, groups that maintain close affiliations with the government or have direct access to decision-makers are typically referred to as "insider" pressure groups. The distinction lies in how each group engages with the political system: outsider groups often find themselves needing to exert influence without the privileges of insider status, making their methods, such as protests and public advocacy, critical to their strategy.

In this context, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of outsider pressure groups. Affiliations with government or a focus on local businesses do not define them; rather, it is their independence from government influence that is fundamental to their identity. Similarly, while some pressure groups might engage with international policies, this does not specifically relate to the classification of being considered an outsider.