1.3 Pressure groups: case studies and examples Flashcards
Two types of pressure groups
Sectional
Causal
Sectional pressure group defdinition
these represent a SECTION of society
Eg. Muslim Council of Britain, or National Union of Students
these are normally insider pressure groups
Causal pressure group definition
presents a particular ISSUE - Eg. Friends of the Earth, Liberty.
these are normally outsider pressure groups
What factors help a pressure group be successful?
- insider status
- wealth
- celebrity endorsement
- social media
- direct action
insider status
+ 1970 example
if it benefits the government to listen to a pressure group, they may take on board some of their ideas.
Eg. Jack Jones (general secretary for the TGWU trade union) was called ‘the most powerful man in Britain’ in 1970.
Wealth
+ BI example
the confederation of British Industry employs 7 million people to further their cause. although to note: wealth doesn’t guarantee success, a powerful voice may come with wealth though which is valuable.
Celebrity endorsement
Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry endorses the Mind Mental Health Campaign for LGBTQ+ rights.
Social Media
increases engagement, Eg. websites can be used to donate to certain causes.
Friends of the Earth and Oxfam have prominent social media platforms
Direct action
civil disobediance for attention to cause.
Eg. 1990 poll tax riots in Trafalgar Square meant John Major to abandon the tax
pluralist democracy
democracy where different groups compete for government’s support/endorsement. Members of the public can support pressure groups to engage in democracy.
Success Acronym
RIPE
Resources, Ideological alignment with the government, Popularity, Expertise
Groups need at least 1 out of 4 to be successful, if they do not have any, they are unlikely to be successful
example for expertise
British Medical Association (BMA) has expertise
example for Resources
Conservative and Labour Friends of Israel have financial rsources, allowing them to be successful
example for unsuccessful campaigns
STOP HS2 had 0/4, and was not listened to
Why was Stop HS2 unsuccessful?
2013, 2020, what happened in the end?
MPs whose constituencies affected were supportive of the campaign.
In 2013, MPs voted 399 to 42 in favour.
In 2020, a petition demanding a repeal of HS2 recieved 100,000 signatures, but support for the rail link outweighed this so it was ignored.
What do Think Tanks do?
they are informed groups that form the basis for government policy making
example that increased influence under Kier Starmer
The Fabian Society with centre ‘soft-left’ ideology align with the current government
example think tank more conservative leaning
The Institute of Economic Affairs and the Centre for Policy Studies encourages a free market: conservatives like this idea.
example impartial groups
Chatham house provides an impartial analysis of global politics
example of influence under government, and then a counterpoint to this
David Cameron, and then Boris Johnson
the Tax Payers alliance was valued under David Cameron and George Osborne - underpinned austerity policies 2010-2015, Johnson ignored the think tanks ideas later…
unsuccessful example for pressure groups
Tony Blair
Stop the War Coalition: 2001 response to Tony Blair’s ‘war on terror’ in Iraq.
1 million people marched in London against him, but Blair’s majority meant he could ignore this
What are Lobbyists
firms employ powerful politicians to lobby the government for a certain interest (not always selfish!)
example of lobbying 2022
Nick Clegg as appointed president of global affairs for Meta.
example of lobbying 2018
David Cameron
Criticised for having a ‘significant lack of judgement’ when lobbying for Greensill.
- documents obtained by the BBCs Panorama suggests earned around £7m
Lobbyists are sometimes unfairly criticised. When have they been beneficial?
Gin Act
2008, Lobbyists had the Gin Act repealed and now boutique gin is one of the UK’s most enterprising new exports.
case studies
The Law society: sectional group, aims?
increasing justice regardless of social background or wealth.
case studies
The Law society: evaluation of effectiveness
- upheld the rule of law
- defended solicitors against political attacks
- secured a 2 year extension of the solicitors indemnity fund
- successfully lobbied to strengthen the bill of rights.
case studies
promotional group the Electoral Reform Society, aims?
improve democracy to fit the 21st century
case studies
The Electoral Reform Society, methods?
research teams, press officers, website channels on how westminister works, campaigning at party conferences with events.
case studies
The Electoral Reform Society, evaluation of effectiveness
Replace the House of Lords
England’s local democracy
Electoral Reform in Westminister
Extending the vote to 16…
none have been achieved inhrenetly.
