1.3Pressure Groups And Other Influences Flashcards
What are pressure groups
They differ from political parties, they don’t seek power but seek to influence the government to adopt their ideas, many forms of pressure groups
What are sectional groups (interest groups)
-Seek to promote the interests of an occupation or another group in society.
-Eg trade unions represent their members in negotiations with employees over wages
-membership usually restricted to ppl who meet a certain requirement
What are cause groups (promotional)
- focused on drawing attention to a specific issue, membership open to anyone
Eg: green peace promotes awareness of environment
What are social movements
Similar to cause groups, usually politically radical and seek to achieve a single objective.
Eg: the camps for climate action were created to protest against expansion of Heathrow airport, coal fired power stations
What are insider groups
Rely on contacts with ministers and civil servants to get their way. These groups tend to have objectives in line with the governments, increasing their leverage
Eg: low profile group - Howard league for prison reform rely on behind the scenes contacts
High profile group - confederation of British society, supple the their lobbying with media to make their case
What are outsider groups
Not consulted by the government, views tend to not go with governments
What are methods of pressure groups
Insider groups may negotiate behind the scenes using their private contacts
Outsider groups may resort to influence through email campaigns and petitions
What are lobbyists
Members who are paid by professional organisations who are paid by clients seeking access to government. Their purpose is to gain influence on behalf of their clients
what are multi cause groups
groups which focus on more than one issue, just stop oil - environment and use of oil, petrol etc
