6. Are pressure groups good or bad for democracy Part 1 Flashcards
Why is the functional representation provided by pressure groups important?
Functional Representation (Pressure group lobbying)
Essential for…
- Minority groups
- Unpopular causes
- Overlooked issues
- Vulnerable groups
what is territorial representation (elections) good for
- Majority groups
- Popular causes
- Salient issues
- Wealthy groups
what is NIMBYism
NIMBYism – “Not In My Back Yard”
NIMBYs are individuals and groups who protest plans not because they disagree with the project’s aims, but because they would simply prefer it to take place somewhere else
what is Hyperpluralism
Hyperpluralism – where groups are so numerous, and so influential that the government cannot function effectively
Example of NIMBYism
Example:
High Speed 2 (HS2) – A proposed railway connecting London to the mid and north of England
Pressure Groups – argue that railway will affect their house prices, increase noise levels, and spoil the countryside
Government – Construction is in the national interest as the train line will boost economic growth
Why is it important that people are able to participate in politics through pressure groups?
- Pressure groups allow people to participate in-between elections, ensuring that officials are aware of public opinion
- The RSPB has more members than Labour, Conservatives, and Lib Dems combined
- Pressure groups are encouraging political participation at a time when formal participation is in decline
difference between political parties and pressure groups to the public
Political Parties:
- Traditional, formal participation
- Elections, local party meetings, annual conference
Pressure Groups:
- Modern, much more varied forms of participation
- Direct action, e-democracy, rapid single-issue campaigns
Why is the internal democracy of many groups an issue?
- Many pressure groups are not particularly democratic
- Unelected leaders make many of the important decisions
- Few members are actively involved
What are ‘cheque-book members’?
‘Cheque book members’ – How many people donate money but go no further?
What is the difference between primary and secondary pressure groups?
Primary Groups
- 4/5 represent interest and views
- 1/5 provide services to members
Secondary Groups
- 1/5 represent interests and views
- 4/5 provide services to members
example of primary group
trade unions
example of a secondary group
Automobile Association (AA)
How do pressure groups educate the public?
- Pressure groups raise issues that go overlooked by the main political parties
- Media campaigns can expose voters to arguments and facts that voters might otherwise not be exposed to
- It is arguable that, in recent decades, our main political parties have moved closer towards the political centre
Pressure groups represent positions that do not fall into the centre ground, and issues the parties are reluctant to address
benefits of competition for pressure groups
Benefits of competition:
- As pressure groups compete for influence in a competitive marketplace of ideas, better policies and ideas will hopefully be produced
What is clicktivism?
‘Clicktivism’ – do people clicking ‘like’ on a Facebook page, retweeting, using hashtags, or signing e-petitions really understand the issues?
How can the education provided by pressure groups be questioned?
Selective exposure?
- Will left-wing voters only expose themselves to left-wing pressure groups, and right-wing voters only listen to right-wing groups
