3. What methods are available to pressure groups Part 1 Flashcards
What are access points?
Access Points – the people and places that insider pressure groups can attempt to apply pressure for their desired changes
examples of national access points
- PM / Government
- Parliament
- Supreme Court
examples of local access points
- Mayors
- County Councils
- District Councils
examples of devolved access points
- Scottish Parliament
- Welsh Assembly
- Northern Irish Assembly
examples of intergovernmental access points
- European Union
- United Nations
- World Bank
pressure groups will try target specific branches of these areas. how would pressure groups target the Executive Branch
- Target ministers and civil servants to ensure that your issue is on the government’s agenda
- It is easier to shape bills before they are even written than it is to secure amendments in Parliament
What are the benefits of lobbying the executive branch?
It is easier to shape bills before they are even written than it is to secure amendments in Parliament
What are professional lobbyists?
Professional Lobbyists:
* Someone who attempts to influence government policy and legislation on behalf of another individual or group
* Often retired politicians or Civil Servants who can make the most of their old contacts in government
What is a government consultation?
While drafting up policy ideas, the government often invites responses from individuals and groups outside of Parliament
what are the benefits of government consultation
- Benefit from the specialist expertise of outside groups
- Measure the reaction to the proposals
- Avoid conflict down the road by getting groups on side
what are green papers
Green Papers – a government document that sets out various different ideas and options for a Bill – designed to provoke debate and outside input
what are white papers
White Papers – a government document that sets out more concrete intentions and plans for an upcoming Bill – still invites comment and outside input
what are policy communities
- Small and stable groups of government officials and interest groups, that have a shared interest in a particular policy area – difficult for others to join
- Government gets information and compliance from the groups that will implement reforms. Interest groups get details of upcoming reforms, and have the access to make their case.
what are policy networks/ issue networks
- Much looser and larger groups, including a larger number of pressure groups, and also academics and think tanks
- Likely to be more disagreement within the network over policy decisions
What is secondary legislation?
Secondary legislation/ Delegated legislation:
- Rules and regulations made by ministers and other public bodies under powers given by an Act of Parliament
- Used because it isn’t always practical to include every minute detail in an Act of Parliament, and because some flexibility might be needed
What are ballot bills?
- MPs wishing to introduce a Private Members’ Bill can put their name forward, and twenty names are drawn at random in a ballot held at the beginning of each parliamentary year
- In reverse order these twenty MPs are given priority to timetable their ‘Ballot Bills’ for debate, with the final name given top priority
why are pressure groups interested in ballot bills
- Pressure groups will often target these lucky MPs suggesting their own bills for debate
Why do pressure groups work with select committees?
Select committees – for each government department, there shall be a dedicated select committee to examine their ‘expenditure, administration and policy’
(e.g. Department of Health –> scrutinised –> Health Committee)
Regularly collect/hear evidence from outside groups/experts
How and why do groups lobby political parties?
Many pressure groups try to build strong, long-term links with political parties
Trade Unions –> Labour Party
Businesses –> Conservative Party
