democracy and participation p5-11 Flashcards
outsider pressure group
- do not work with or are not associated with the government
- concentrate on mobilising the public opinion to put pressure on the government
insider pressure group
- close relationship with the government
- influence the government DIRECTLY and quietly
- their aims are compatible with the government
sectional/interest group
- aim to look after the interests of a particular group in society eg teachers/lawyers
- influences the government INDIRECTLY and loudly
promotional/cause group
- membership tends to be open - seeking to gain mass support
- tend to have altruistic policies that benefit the wider society
think tanks - examples
- privately funded, non-profit organisations
- conduct research with a view to changing political policies
- The Centre of Social Justice
- The Adam Smith Institute
corporations
large companies that seek to lobby the government to encourage them to legislate or no legislate in certain areas
lobbyists
- companies who are paid to gain access to the government for their clients
- they often employ ex-politicians who have access to decision makers
methods used by pressure groups
- demonstrations
- social media
- e-petitions
- use of celebrities
- publicity stunts
direct action
when the public actively becomes involved in politics as opposed to dealing through a representative
EXAMPLES
- marches and demonstrations - anti-Brexit/ ‘day of rage’ Grenfell Tower protests
- trade unions may go on STRIKE - Junior doctors strike to protest against the imposition of new contacts
- illegal acts (civil disobedience) - people against animal testing harassed animal testing laboratories
example of a successful insider pressure group
CBI - Confederation of British Industry
- works closely with gov to achieve economic growth and prosperity
- because it’s inside the government hear their views and their aims are compatible with the governments
5 ways to be a successful pressure group
- insider - CBI
- social status - doctors and nurses have support from the people
- wealth - Unision - wealth trade union which can afford help with campaigns making them successful
- celebrity - Jaimie Oliver campaigned for good food at schools - the gov listened
- size - larger the group, the larger the proportion of the electorate eg Age UK represents 12 million pensioners. older ppl have the highest % turnout in elections
how do pressure groups ENHANCE democracy
- enable ppl to participate in political processes between elections
- pressure groups reflect pluralist democracy - voices are heard
- they lobby on behalf on minorities
- bring expert knowledge on issues that the PM might not know abt
- educate and inform the electorate - enhancing healthy debates
how do pressure groups UNDERMINE democracy
- unequal influence - wealthy ones may have more power - CBI
- not elected - not accountable to the public
- use direct action - against the law
civil liberties
- the basic rights and freedoms guaranteed to individuals, usually protected by law or the constitution.
- freedom of speech
- freedom of religion
- freedom of association
human rights act 1998
- protects our rights
- ppl can now challenge laws in UK courts rather than having to go to the ECHR (European convention on human rights)
- Uk courts can issue a ‘declaration of incompatibility’ - puts pressure on the gov to back down
- brexit has no effect on the act
