1.3 Group Politics Flashcards
1
Q
3
What are pressure groups?
A
- Organisation who seek to influence govt policy, but do not seek power through elections
- Represent particular cause or narrow cluster of issues - narrow focus
- can encompass members of several parties/ideologies
2
Q
4
Describe the functions of pressure groups
A
- Provide ongoing channel between public and government and act as access point
- Hold the government accountable
- May formulate policy
- Educate the public about a certain issue, aiding the democratic process as individuals able to participate and take decisions from a more informed position
3
Q
5
Describe sectional (interest) groups
A
- promote interest of members
- formal and restricted membership
- represent specific section of society
- more likely to have insider status
- e.g. BMA, CBI
4
Q
6
Describe causal (promotional) groups
A
- promote interests for benefit of whole of society - altruistic groups
- members don’t exclusively/directly benefit
- focus is on informal supporters, not members
- more likely to have outsider status
- may use direct action
- e.g. Just Stop Oil
5
Q
2
Describe dual-function groups
A
- Promote interests of members, but may improve lives of other in society as well
- include trade unions, motoring organisations
6
Q
5
Describe insider groups
A
- close relationship with govt
- consulted on policy
- Core insiders
- links with devolved assemblies and quangos (e.g. ofsted)
- e.g. IEA
7
Q
5
Describe outsider groups
A
- lack links with govt
- don’t want to be ‘domesticated’
- influence public and media
- potential insiders, outsiders by necessity, ideological outsiders
- e.g. People’s Vote
8
Q
3
Where are CBI and TUC offices?
A
- London
- Wales
- Scotland
9
Q
4
Describe recent controversy with the CBI
A
- Complaints about chief exec Tony Danker’s conduct
- Several businesses suspended and ended membership
- Aviva, influential insurance firm, became first to leave
- Badenoch and business department suspended relationship
10
Q
3
To what extent are insider methods effective?
A
P1: Provide links with govt/ministers - consulted on legislation, core insiders have exclusive access, where most power lies vs lack links when affiliated party not in power (e.g. Labour/Progressive Britain)
P2: Influence through parliament - select committees reports (from 2010 have had greater power in examine department’s spending, policies and administration), lobbying MPs more sophisticated in recent years due to whatsapp, PMBs vs govt controls business of parliament - media coverage more likely than policy change
P3: wider access points to infleunce politics since 1997 - devolved assemblies (since 1998) have grown in power (Both CBI and TUC have offices in Scotland+Wales as well as London) vs some access points shortening - Brexit effectively wiped out influence in Brussels
11
Q
3
To what extent are outsider methods effective?
A
P1: Engaging public - shift public opinion having potential electoral consequences (e.g. Stop the War Coalition 2003 - > 2005 election), public petitions/demonstrations, new tech (twitter, Facebook, etc) vs harder to change govt policy in short term e.g. people’s vote - such huge constituitonal issues require a clear mandate (opposite granted in 2017 Conservative manifesto)
P2: Direct Action - become more common, sets agenda for 24/7 news media (e.g. Just Stop Oil) vs alienate public support, seen as mob rule (act outside of essential functions of democratic society) e.g. ALF
P3: Use of judicial review - media attention, successful case (e.g. Amnesty) can force impact on govt policy vs govt can circumvent SC
12
Q
3
CBI: features
A
- 1500 direct members, 190k indirect members through trade associations
- FTSE100 companies, midcaps, unis, small businesses
- sectional/insider group
13
Q
3
CBI: methods
A
- ‘Britain’s largest lobby group’ - FT
- Govt consult CBI as businesses, and by extension CBI, essential to functioning of economy
- very effective at shaping govt policy
14
Q
3
CBI: influence
A
- Con and Lab leaders give speeches annually at CBI conference
- CBI intervention and feedback on furlough scheme to protect 9.6m jobs (80% of wages covered)
- Green Finance Strategy launched by govt - 2050 net-zero targets integrated into business green targets following CBI consultation
15
Q
5
Extinction Rebellion: features
A
- 2025 net-zero target
- global organisation - primarily in Britain
- Promotional and outsider group
- social movement - supporters rather than members
- popular among youth
16
Q
2
Exticntion Rebellion: methods
A
- Direct Action e.g. blocking Trafalgar Square - arrests occur
- Media campaigns, public petitions, demonstrations - social media
17
Q
4
Extinction Rebellion: influence
A
- methods have led to unpopularity
- Yet in 2019, UK became first nation in world to declare climate emergency
- CEE (Climate, Ecological and Environmental) Bill 2024 (PMB) - proposes citizens assembly
- Though can be disputed how significant the contribution of ER were to these decisions
18
Q
5
Think Tanks features
A
- Group of experts who provide advice, ideas and proposals on social, economic and political policy
- Insider status - may be core insiders or not
- Expertise essential for functioning of democracy - unlike public
- Publish research and policy work, accompanied by seminars and conferences
- govt likely to be heavily influenced by think tanks
19
Q
3
Describe the ideological positioning of think tanks
A
- may be academic or neutral, left-wing or right-wing
- left-wing: IPPR, right wing - Adam Smith Institute
- e.g. IEA - free market think tank affiliated to no political party (though influence tories more)
20
Q
4
Think Tanks pros
A
- benefit pluralistic democracy - cover all viewpoints
- wide range of issues investigated that burdened politicians do not have time for
- expertise of work e.g. phonetics
- no cost to taxpayer - funded by charity/corporate sources
21
Q
4
Think Tank cons
A
- claims they favour powerful corporate sources that fund them (e.g. IEA 18% 2018 funding FTSE350 companies) - support dominant elite system
- lack of transparency surrounding funding (17 of 27 leading think tanks publish data - Transparency International)
- unnaccountable to electorate yet have great political influence - not elected
- only have influence when associated party in power
22
Q
4
Corporations features
A
- employment + financial power
- cannot campaign for parties (unlike US), but can support political viewpoints (e.g. EU ref)
- campaign for financial assistance + favourable legislation
- e.g. Tescos
23
Q
2
Corporation methods
A
- Methods: lobbying, petitions, media/press
- many wealthy enough to have in-house lobbying firm
24
Q
2
Corporation pros
A
- firms investing and employing leads to success of economy - must be consulted by govt on policy that may effect them for wider impact
- some groups (e.g. UK finance) have expertise and strong links to govt that can help shape policy making where holistic politicans lack knowledge
25
# 3
Corporation cons
- elitism - possess wealth and central economic role to undermine workers rights and trade unions - non level playing field
- e.g. only 13.5% of workers in private sector unionised (2020)
- But crucially don’t provide politicians with votes
26
# 3
Lobbyists features
- paid consultants hired to influence govt and/or MPs in HoC, to act in their clients’ interests, particularly when legislation is under consideration
- UK lobbying industry worth £2bn (employs 4k workers)
- e.g. Hanbury Strategy
27
# 3
Lobbyists pros
- Lobbying is a central part of democracy because it allows groups, who are likely to be impacted by a decision, engage with govt and parliament
- Allows groups to provide detailed evidence to govt prior to decision being made
- Can focus policy development on current issues
28
# 3
Lobbyists cons
- can be abused by those seeking to further private interests
- vast sums of wealth can be spent to influence policy in their interests, regardless of wider societal impact
- sig number of lobbying scandals
29
# 2
Describe recent lobbying scandals
* David Cameron - Greensill Capital, COVID grant, £1m payment, shareholder and advisor in line for millions
* Owen Patterson- NI healthcare and chilled meats firm, paid 100k extra annually over 5 years, asked questions in parliament, broke paid lobbying rules, govt three-line whip and u-turn, resignation and LD North Shropshire by-election
30
# 4
Transparency of lobbying, non-party campaigning and Trade Union Act 2014
* lobbyists sign up to official register and disclose full list of clients 4 times a year (more transparency = more trust in politics)
* discludes in-house firms
* 85% still unreported (according to Cabinet Office)
* no limits on paid gifts
31
# 4
Describe the Stop the War Coalition 2003
* Resulted from Iraq War
* largest ever UK protest in Feb 2003 - police estimate 750k
* JC Chair from 2011-15
* inc popularity of George Galloway
32
# 3
Describe the Great British Insulation Scheme
* Announced 2023
* £1bn scheme to insulate 300k homes in GB
* Insulate Britain brought awareness to issue
33
# 2
Describe the difference between insider and core insider groups
* Insider groups are groups that enjoy close access to government agencies and officials
* Core insiders: Those with strong two-way relationships over a range of issues (e.g., CBI)
34
# 3 - (4) (4) (5)
Describe the argument that pressure groups promote democracy
* **Supplement electoral politics**
* compensates for decline in party membership + voter turnout
* GE every 5 years - main form in which some express views and interests
* ongoing consultation with diff sections of society, esp minority groups
* must be there to increase legitimacy of decisions (e.g. Britain remade)
* **Increased Participation**
* group politics ever-changing - reaches previously excluded sections of society
* amplified access points for pressure participants
* new social movements (e.g. BLM)
* new tech (e.g. Rashford)
* **Pluralism**
* rival groups provide counterbalance
* educate public, promote debate
* improve policy making (detailed evidence)
* no one group remains dominant
* e.g. ASH (Action on Health and Smoking) Health Act 2006 in face of powerful corporate tobacco lobbying
35
# 3 - (2) (3) (4)
Describe the argument that pressure groups do **not** promote democracy
* **Unaccountability of groups**
* lack of transparency
* can hold significant power, though not elected
* **Decreased Participation**
* excludes large sections of society due to logistics
* most disadvantaged difficult to organise e.g. asylum seekers
* new forms of particpation superficial (slacktivism)
* **Elitism**
* insider status excludes other groups
* channels political power into hands of few with wealth who can afford lobbying + party donations
* real power lies with CBI with central economic role
* revolving door
36
# 3
To what extent do Think Tanks damage democracy?
P1: **transparency** vs **no taxpayer cost**
P2: **Elitism** - wealthy backing and more educated have stronger access points (onward 100k poll) vs **Pluralism** - support range of political viewpoints + expertise - strengthen govt legitimacy
P3: **Unaccountability** - unlike MPs do not have to declare public register, yet hold considerable influence (e.g. Liz Truss) vs **Simply influence** - Govt/MPs make decisions, party may not be in power - burdoned politicians do not have time
37
# 3 - (4) (4) (4)
Describe the argument that some groups are more powerful than others
* **Wealthy groups have a lot of power**
* central to economic success (e.g. CBI)
* revolving door
* can afford lobbying, research needed for effective economic and industrial policy formulation
* Transparency International Report
* **Large membership groups**
* natural power due to large participation
* full-time researchers can be afforded
* influence through effective campaigns and expert research
* e.g. NSPCC £188m funding 2018-19, 90% of which from members
* **Highly organised leadership**
* gain insider status and high-level influence
* acute political skills of policy process
* networking skills, high public profile, developed media skills
* e.g. Tony Blair Institute
38
# 3 - (2) (3) (3)
Describe the argument that some groups are **not** more powerful than others
* **Wealthy Groups cannot provide votes**
* public opposition can be too strong to abide by wealthy groups
* e.g. Corporation Tax 19% to 25%
* **Large membership ignored**
* trade unions have large memberships but can be ignored
* e.g. Rishi Sunak gave 6% pay rise to consultants, short of 35% BMA demanded
* Con-Lab relations with Trade Unions
* chequebook membership (e.g. National Trust 5m)
* **Government position overrides**
* outsider groups
* economic credibility remains core of policy making
* Health Act 2006
39
# 3 - (2) (4) (3)
Describe the argument that pressure groups, lobbyists and think tanks have an impact on government decisions
* **Pressure groups have considerable influence**
* insider status
* new forms of political participation (e.g. new tech and media campaigns - Marcus Rashford)
* **Lobbyists have influence**
* revolving door
* wealth backing
* expertise and persuasiveness
* e.g. BBA had economic expertise and central role
* **Think Tanks have impact**
* inform effective and detailed policy making
* politicians don’t have time
* e.g. Liz Truss/IEA
40
# 3 - (2) (2) (3)
Describe the argument that pressure groups, lobbyists and think tanks do **not** have an impact on government decisions
* **pressure groups’ influence is limited**
* direct action tactics unpopular
* e.g. Just Stop Oil alienates public support for environmentalism
* **lobbyists’ influence limited**
* public opposition (e.g. Health Act 2006)
* ideological clash
* **Think Tanks have limited impact**
* outsider status when affiliated party not in power
* e.g. Common Wealth or IPPR
* elitism accusations - cannot provide votes
41
# 8
List some pressure groups
* CBI
* Insulate Britain
* People's Vote
* Justice for Ellie
* **Food foundation** - Marcus Rashford
* Extinction Rebellion
* National Trust
* ALF
