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.
What sparked Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in the UK in 2020?
The death of George Floyd in the US led to large protests across the UK.
What was a major event during the BLM protests?
✔️ Protesters toppled the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol, a historical figure linked to the slave trade.
✔️ The England football team “took the knee” during Euro 2020 to protest racism.
What impact did BLM have in the UK?
✔️ Sparked discussions on racism and colonial history.
✔️ Led to renaming institutions linked to slavery (e.g., Colston Hall → Bristol Beacon).
✔️ The government launched a racial inequality commission.
What criticism did BLM face?
❌ Some saw the toppling of statues as vandalism.
❌ Priti Patel (Home Secretary) criticized protests and “taking the knee.”
❌ Racially motivated crimes increased by 12% (2020-2021).
What is the goal of the mental health charity Mind?
✔️ Improve access to mental health treatment and support caregivers.
✔️ Raise awareness and fundraise for mental health services.
✔️ Campaign for policies like #FundTheHubs, which helps young people (11-25) access mental health support.
How does Mind increase awareness?
✔️ Works with schools & colleges.
✔️ Uses celebrity ambassadors to encourage open discussions about mental health.
What is Extinction Rebellion (XR) and how does it differ from other environmental groups?
✔️ Uses disruptive protests instead of traditional lobbying.
✔️ Unlike Friends of the Earth & Greenpeace, XR believes non-violent civil disobedience is necessary for change.
What is civil disobedience?
✔️ Civil disobedience is the peaceful refusal to follow certain laws or policies as a form of protest.
✔️ It aims to highlight injustice and push for political or social change.
✔️ Often involves non-violent actions like sit-ins, strikes, or protests.
What are XR’s demands? (Extinction rebellion)
✔️ UK government declares a climate emergency.
✔️ Achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2025.
✔️ Create a citizens’ assembly to ensure climate policies are followed.
Give examples of XR’s protests.
✔️ Blocking roads in Covent Garden to disrupt daily life.
✔️ Digging up the lawn at Trinity College, Cambridge in protest of fossil fuel investments.
✔️ Blocking Amazon warehouses on Black Friday to protest environmental harm.
What is the debate on XR’s methods?
✔️ Stephen Fry supports XR, comparing it to the suffragettes and saying it creates urgency.
❌ Professor Mike Hulme criticizes XR, arguing disruptive tactics alienate the public.
What are common ways UK citizens participate in political movements?
✔️ E-petitions – 6.1 million signed the 2019 petition to revoke Article 50 & remain in the EU.
✔️ Mass protests – Hundreds of thousands marched in London (2019) to oppose Brexit.
✔️ Climate activism – Protests at COP26 (2021) in Glasgow.
✔️ BLM protests to fight racial injustice.
✔️ Pressure groups like Amnesty International (human rights) and environmental groups (Greenpeace, XR, Friends of the Earth).
✔️ Online engagement – BBC Breaking News had 10M Twitter followers in 2021, more than Harry Styles.
Define lobbying and explain its role in UK politics.
✔️ Lobbyists are paid individuals or organizations that try to influence political decisions on behalf of businesses, charities, or unions.
✔️ Engage with MPs, civil servants, and officials to shape policies or laws.
How do pressure groups differ from lobbyists?
Pressure groups are organizations advocating for causes (e.g., Greenpeace, BMA). However, Lobbying is an activity, not an organization.
Pressure groups use lobbying as one of their strategies.
What is a think tank, and why do they influence government policy?
A group of experts who research and develop ideas on politics, economics, and social issues.
Their goal is to influence government, businesses, and the public.
What are concerns about think tanks?
❌ Can allow powerful interests to ‘buy’ political influence.
❌ 2010 Labour lobbying scandal – Three ex-ministers offered to work for a fake firm for £5,000 a day.
How did lobbyists help a small group like the Raptor Alliance?
✔️ Parliament formed a group to support pigeon racing after lobbying efforts.
✔️ Organized a pigeon race between Lords & Commons MPs to gain attention.
Why do wealthy groups have greater influence in UK politics?
✔️ Businesses hire high-profile lobbyists to push their interests.
✔️ Groups like Friends of the Earth & Oxfam use money to fund research that influences policy.
✔️ Rich lobbying groups have direct access to policymakers.
How can pressure groups succeed without wealth?
✔️ Celebrity influence can outweigh wealth – Example: Marcus Rashford’s free school meals campaign.
✔️ Social movements like BLM create change without financial resources.
