1.3 methods and pressure groups Flashcards
What are some of the traditional methods of participation?
-voting
-joining a party and helping campaign
-joining a pressure group
-signing a petition
-joining a protest
-going on strike
What is slacktivism?
Clicking ‘like’ is a limited form of participation, as is forwarding a tweet or link, requiring minimum engagement. Similarly, anonymous comments are a weak and undemocratic form of participation, and can lead to trolling.
A Twitterbot can be used to generate automated posts on Twitter, making it look like a great deal of participation and therefore a lot of public support. This can cause politicians to adopt positions based of ‘fake participation’. This level of engagement is usually superficial.
What are pressure groups?
Groups that seek to pressurize those in power into making a particular decision or follow a particular course of action
What are sectional pressure groups?
Sectional groups have a closed membership because they look after their own section of society. These members usually have similar occupations or shared interests. These groups act in the best interests of their members and may campaign on issues like pay or wages
What is a casual pressure group?
They campaign for a particular cause or issue, often one that does not directly impact its members; they are therefore campaigning on people’s behalf. These groups are relatively easy to join and are open to everyone. They are motivated by altruistic considerations
What’s the difference between insider and outsider pressure groups
insider groups have a special relationship with the government and are given access to officials and decision makers. On the other hand, outsider groups don’t have such a special relationship and resort to methods that generate press to publicize their cause
What are some of the factors that can give success for pressure groups?
-insider status
-wealth
-large membership
-organisation
-expertise
-celebrity endorsement
-salience of an issue, whether it gets sympathy
-whether it aligns with public opinion/ government opinion
-methods
What are umbrella groups and why are they successful?
they represent a large number of pressure groups- with a broad membership basis, they have a large influence
Example of insider status causing success in a pressure group
In 2014, the Howard League for Penal Reform successfully campaigned to end the ban on prisoners receiving books sent to them by family or friends.
Example of wealth causing success in pressure groups
In 2012, the British Banker’s Association paid lobbyists to persuade ministers to cut corporation tax and tax on banks’ overseas subsidiaries
Example of large membership causing success in pressure groups?
In 2015, the RSPB utilized over 500,000 members to help carry out extensive research as part of its Big Garden Birdwatch
Example of organisation creating pressure group success?
In 2012, the RMT organized a series of strikes to secure a bonus for members during the Summer Olympics
Example of expertise creating pressure group success?
In 2016, the AA provided evidence/statistics to persuade the government to increase the penalties for using a phone while driving
Example of celebrity endorsement creating pressure group success
In 2009, Joanna Lumley and the Gurkha Justice Campaign secured equal rights for British and Commonwealth soldiers
What are the reasons that make a pressure group fail?
-chequebook membership
-slacktivism
-small membership
-outsider status
-goal contradicts gov policy/ popular opinion
-the group alienates the public
-countervailing forces
What is chequebook membership
people join a group for material purposes and are less likely to get involved in campaigning
What is an example of a large protest failing as the government were able to resist the pressure?
15th February 2003, an estimated 1 million people went to protest against plans to invade Iraq with the pressure group Stop the War coalition, with 15 million people marching around the world. However, despite this, the attacks went ahead as there was much cross party support in Parliament