Are Pressure Groups Good For Democracy Flashcards
1A: allow alt form of participation due to the “participation crisis” experienced in party membership + voting
This allows people who feel disillusioned with the political system of UK to seek other means of spreading their concern with particular issues.
For example, many members of JSO likely believe the UK govt is ignoring climate issues due to lobbying by oil and gas companies, so causing civil disruption may be the only way they feel they can be heard. In the end, Labour 2024 adopted the policy they wished for stopping the liscending of new oil and gas.
This also encourages more to do same, people who heard of JSO were more likely to donate to climate charities
1B: pressure groups lack transparency and accountability
Due to pressure groups lacking the checks and balances that official political parties have, suspicions can arise of the spending of money, and the intentions of the donors.
For example, an organiser of a BLM protest and director of the “Changing Your Mindset” pressure group was sentenced to 2 and 1/2 years after transferring more than £32,000 in donations to her personal bank account.
2A: pressure groups can act as constants in an ever changing political world, which is volatile
Due to their position of almost like single issue parties, they can approach multiple complex issues without having to worry about political affiliation as they only need to represent their group interest.
For example, Libery focused on individual freedoms and rights has taken govt to court for decision to ban Apples ADP, but also called Rwanda plan “a crime scene”
2B: insider groups can have an unfair amount of power, less pluralism, elitist values
Very influential pressure groups can be argued to create illegitimate policies that do not reflect the public will, the fact that pressure groups like CBI arguably led to Starmer adjusting his 2024 manifesto to show commitimend to Labour being “pro business” and admitting he cannot do some “good Labour things” perhaps shows donors use these pressure groups to gain an unfair advantage in favourable policy
Have more money than poorer pressure groups with less resources, less skilled personal and less link to the govt e.g. JSO
3A: helps engage minorities
The ability to generate media attention on key issues, raising awareness, allows minorities to protect themselves from the “rule of the majority” who may not listen to their interests as a) they do not make much of a threat to their power, as they cannot take much votes away, or b) are simply unaware of disadvantages or unfair laws minorities face.
E.g. among other things, Stonewall in 2003 campaigned to ending s.28 in Britain which prevented education of homosexuality in school, leading to the repeal.
This also means as social climate changes, pressure groups make sure different groups right are constantly updated with the times to prevent ancient laws that do not fit the times.
3B: gives too much power to the minority
This means the will of the majority, which in a democracy the govt should represent, can be curbed by the interests of large corporations with wealth to create influence
E.g. 2012 British Banker Association met with Nick Clegg advisor and not recorded, leaked newsleeeters show many of the suggestions were adopted into govt policy, not in manifesto
