Approaches of Pressure Groups Flashcards
What are the two theories which dominate investigations into the relationship of government and groups and group behaviour?
pluralists and corporatists
What do pluralists believe?
They believe that there is a political marketplace in which ideas can be traded and group activity can flourish. Groups are viewed as a natural and describe feature of political life, in a democracy in which power is dispersed
Who are corporatists?
corporatists are those who believe in corporatism; the idea of bringing organised interest into the process of government
Who developed the pluralist model in 1951?
Truman
What did US Truman believe?
That pressure groups were an entirely natural and healthy feature of political life
In what 5 ways are pressure groups a benefit to the political system
- concerns reflect those of ordinary people
- provide informed views with specialist expertise
- allow minority voices to be heard
- cater for the representation of a heterogeneous population
- they prevent any single group from exercising disproportionate influence as there are opportunities for countervailing groups
What is a heterogeneous population?
a diverse population in which many different ethnic groups are represented
What are countervailing groups?
These are groups which formed to oppose the views of and compete with the dominant group in any particular sector. The result is that any one group is likely to be counterbalanced by a group hostile to its viewpoint, cancelling out the influence of the other
What does the pluralist case stress?
That there are no barriers to the formation of groups and no single group monopolise political resources
Under the pluralist theory, how are all groups recognised?
all groups are recognised as having sectional interests and are granted no special favours.
What is an example of a countervailing group?
the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance was countervailed by the League Against Cruel Sports
what did corporatists place greater emphasis on?
the close links that exist between certain types of groups and the state
As a theory, what does corporatism allow manufacturers to do as a result of the close links that exist between certain types groups and the state?
allows them to have access to government and assist in shaping and implementing policy
What is corporatism?
This is a system of policy making in which major economic interests work closely together within the formal structures of government to devise and carry out public policies
What is Tripartism?
also known as neo-corporatism is a loose, less centralised form of corporatism of the type operated under administrations of both British parties in the 1960’s and 1970’s. It is weaker than the continental form of corporatism in which corporatist decision making has been institutionalised
Through who’s government did Britain have tripartism?
Wilson (labour) government
Heath (conseravtive) government
Wilson/Callaghan (labour) government
What do critics regard corporatism as?
as unhealthy and a threat to representative democracy. They dislike the way that decisions are made behind closed doors, beyond public scrutiny
How did Hague and Harrop put the pluralist versus corporatist debate?
“Pluralists see society dominating the state: corporatists view the state as leading society”
What did supporters of the New Right in the 1970’s and 1980’s portray pressure groups as?
sectional bodies primarily concerned with advancing their own interests rather than those of society at large
What did supporters of the New Right suggest that pressure groups distorted?
the proper role of the Executive and the legislature
What did supporters of the New Right say pressure groups resulted in, in regards to MPs?
that MPs could not represent the viewpoints among their constituents if they focused on the demands of consulted groups and not in the general good
What does the Marxist approach believe controls society?
they believe that the real control of society is exercised by the ruling economic group that makes decisions to serve its own interests
What does the Marxists approach believe whether or now group activity is described as pluralist or corporatist?
that the dominant ruling group in the power structure will prevail
What does Marxist draw attention to ?
the unequal distribution of power between employers and employees, pointing out that the business interests exercise excessive interests
