1.3 Pressure groups and other influences Flashcards
What does it mean that the UK is a pluralist democracy?
It means that political power is widely distributed among different groups, allowing competition to influence government decisions.
Besides voting, how else can people participate in politics?
✔️ Supporting pressure groups and social movements.
✔️ Engaging in direct action (protests, strikes, petitions).
✔️ Online campaigns and social media activism.
✔️ Think tanks, corporations, charities, lobbying firms, and professional bodies influencing government policies.
What is the definition of a pressure group?
A group that tries to influence government decisions on specific issues.
What are sectional/interest groups? Give an example.
Groups that represent specific social groups (e.g., workers, students).
Example:
- Muslim Council of Britain represents British Muslims.
- National Union of Students (NUS) represents students and lobbies for education policies.
What are casual/promotional groups? Give an example.
Groups that campaign for a cause that benefits everyone.
Example: Greenpeace, which fights for environmental protection.
What are insider pressure groups? Give an example.
Groups that have close ties to the government and are consulted on policy.
Example:
- British Medical Association (BMA) advises the government on healthcare.
- Howard League for Penal Reform provides insights on prison reforms.
What are outsider pressure groups? Give an example.
Groups that do not have direct government access and rely on public campaigns and protests.
Example: Extinction Rebellion, which organizes disruptive protests to raise awareness of climate change.
How does insider status help a pressure group succeed? Give an example.
Insider groups are trusted by the government and consulted on policy.
Example:
- BMA and NFU (National Farmers’ Union) provide expert advice to policymakers.
Environmental and LGBTQ+ issues are now more important, leading to increased influence of groups like Green Alliance and LGBT Foundation.
How does wealth impact a pressure group’s success? Give an example.
Wealthy groups can hire researchers, lobby MPs, and run campaigns.
Example:
- Confederation of British Industry (CBI) represents 190,000 businesses and employs over 100 policy researchers.
❌ However, wealth alone does not guarantee success if the government opposes the group’s goals.
How can celebrity support help a pressure group succeed? Give an example.
Celebrities attract public attention and media coverage.
Example: Emma Watson’s ‘HeForShe’ campaign for gender equality gained worldwide attention after her 2014 UN speech.
How does social media help pressure groups? Give an example.
Social media mobilizes support quickly and spreads awareness.
Example:
- Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Friends of the Earth use platforms like Twitter to influence debates.
- 38 Degrees (founded in 2009) lets members launch online campaigns on local issues (e.g., a drink-container recycling scheme).
This is called “clickocracy” – when people engage in political activism online instead of traditional methods.
What is direct action, and how does it help pressure groups?
Direct action includes protests, strikes, and civil disobedience to create pressure on the government. It can lead to publicity and negotiations.
What happened during the Hyde Park Riots?
- Protesters demanded voting rights.
- The police tried to stop them, leading to clashes.
- The riots pressured Parliament to pass reforms expanding voting rights.
Why did NHS staff strike in 2022?
✔️ Nurses and healthcare workers protested for better pay and working conditions.
✔️ The strike caused major disruptions, increasing pressure on the government to act.
What was the goal of the Motoring Organisations’ campaign?
To remove the hard shoulder on motorways to increase road capacity.
Why was this campaign successful? (Motoring organization)
✔️ Used professional expertise to influence policy.
✔️ Had insider status, allowing direct access to decision-makers.
What issue did the free school meals campaign address and why was it successful?
During the 2020 lockdown, children on free school meals lost access to food, increasing financial strain on poor families.
✔️ Celebrity influence – Marcus Rashford used his status to advocate for the cause.
✔️ Worked with FareShare to provide meals.
✔️ Used social media (Twitter) to mobilize public support and businesses.
What does “RIPE” stand for in pressure group success?
✔️ R – Resources (money & organization help influence).
✔️ I – Ideological alignment with the government.
✔️ P – Popularity (public support strengthens campaigns).
✔️ E – Expertise (knowledge gives credibility).
What was Stop HS2’s goal?
To stop the high-speed rail project (HS2) between London and Birmingham.
Why did Stop HS2 fail?
❌ All major parties (Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems) supported HS2.
❌ Parliament voted heavily in favor in 2013.
❌ Even a large petition in 2020 was ignored because MPs still supported the project.
What was the Stop the War Coalition’s goal?
To stop the UK’s involvement in the ‘war on terror’ and oppose the Iraq War (2003).
Why did the Stop the War Coalition fail?
❌ Despite 1 million people marching in London (biggest UK protest in history), the government ignored it.
❌ Tony Blair had a strong majority in Parliament.
❌ Conservatives also backed the war, so Parliament voted in favor.
How do pressure groups improve democracy?
✔️ Encourage participation beyond elections.
✔️ Represent diverse interests, ensuring pluralism in politics.
✔️ Hold the government accountable and act as a watchdog.
✔️ Provide specialized knowledge, improving policy decisions.
How can pressure groups be undemocratic?
❌ Wealthy & well-organized groups have more influence than ordinary citizens.
❌ Can favor small, elite groups over the public interest.
❌ Radical outsider groups may use extreme tactics, damaging trust in politics.
❌ Insider groups have unfair access, undermining equal representation.
