Do PGs enhance democracy? Flashcards
1
Q
Increases representation and compensates for tyranny of the majority
PG do enhance democracy
A
- Represents groups and causes ignored by political parties whilst attempting to bring about substantiative change, as MPs aren’t always knowledgeable on everything.
- E.G environmental (Extinction Rebellion), rights (Stonewall), or areas benefiting all of society (British Medical Association or the NEU).
- Gauge public opinion (anti-war coalition of Iraq 2003 and the NUS protests over tuition fees).
- Persecutes minority rights (Disability Discrimination Act 1995 passed after 100K engaged in mass protests) - helps the governing process by providing advice.
- Allows pluralism (not just career polticans) - critical because the FPTP system doesn’t always produce a representative HOC.
- Doesn’t require substantial membership to be infuential = Howard League for penal reform has only 3000 members but effectively represented prisoners’ rights when the govt was forced to U turn on introducing charges towards legal aid for prisoners in 2015.
2
Q
Majority doesn’t exert influence if their goals aren’t in line with society or govt
Fails to enhance democracy
A
- May force the govt to act upon behalf of a minority and therefore ignore the wider needs of societies. For example, pg with great economic leverage like trade unions and cbi.
- Minority interest PGs are likely ignored by a govt (as parli is sov) who seeks electoral success. Even if it has substantiated support, it will be unable to exert influence if it doesn’t align with the aims of a mandated majority govt (insider groups benefit).
- EXAMPLE = 750K protested against the Iraq War in 2003 because of Blair’s desire to establish good relations with the US Republican Party yet, Labour’s 412 parli seats further enabled Operation Telic to go ahead.
- Some are more influential, e.g finance is a critical prerequisite (CBI) = able to enhance campaign and employ lobbyists, while smaller minority groups with w/o great funds are relegated to a treatment of indifference by the govt (outsider groups).
- Within a rep dem, the influence of PGs is always secondary to the priorities of the elected govt (esp. as they are accountable) for they have a manifesto.
3
Q
Encourages participation
Yes, it enhances democracy
A
- Electoral turnout and membership falling since the 1950s is a sign of democratic deficit = acts as an alternative, esp as voting is restricted to five years via the Fixed-Term Act.
- In a lib dem, pluralism is crucial = political power is widely dispersed in society than concentrated in the elite’s hand.
- Promotional groups like Greenpeace (3M members) and CND (35k members) allow people to campaign on SPECIFIC ISSUES without party affiliation, especially as participation is often quick and easy.
- Clicktivism allows people to give up small amounts of time to express their view and empowers them to react quickly to govt decisions. EXAMPLE = half a million signed the 38 degrees petition to stop privatisation on British forests.
- Allows youths whom are disillusioned with conventional politics back into active participation.
4
Q
High level of participation
A
Rise of protests in the UK
- LEFT-WING groups = the CND, the 1990 anti-poll tax riots and anti-globalisation demonstrations in 2000 and 2010 protests against university tuition feees.
5
Q
Issues with the increased participation?
No, they don’t enhance democracy
A
- Lacks democracy as PGs are unelected and it’s undetermined how much influence are they allocated, representing only their member’s interests, especially as certain groups are more likely to be listened to by the govt (e.g trade unions unlikely will influence Tory Govts) = may stop PG forming entirely.
- High participation like protests may turn violent or be utilised by right-wing groups like the People’s Fuel Lobby and the Countryside Alliance.
- Increasingly passive and shallow member engagement - the phenomenon of ‘chequebook participation. Happy to pay for their subscriptions but aren’t interested in wider activism like attending meetings, conferences and sitting on legislative committees. SO, ativism is confined to a small class of full-time professionals.
- Such trends can apply to protest politics. Despite being attracted to marches and demonstrations, this seldom leads to longer-term political involvement. This is called lifestyle politics, where political activism becomes a fashion statement. Additionally, the violence is harmful to democracy.
6
Q
Education
Yes, they enhance democracy
A
- Promotes political debate - doing so, they create a better-informed and educated electorate and help improves public policy. For example, ASH introduced anti-smoking legislation by encouraging people to learn about its negative health impacts.
- Without PGs, the public and media is reliant on a relatively narrow range of political views, expressed by the govt and a small number of political parties. It challenges any established views by offering alternative viewpoints to widen the info available through mass media and the internet.
- Could even help the governing process by providing informed advice and expertise (lobbies or sits on govt committees).
7
Q
Issues regarding education
A
- PGs are seen as the ‘politics of self-interest’ and may present the public with biased or even false information.
- EXAMPLE = int. online PG The World Doctors Alliance includes prominent members who have falsely claimed Covid-19 is a hoax and that vaccines cause widespread harm, using ‘their qualifications to lend a veneer of credibility to claims that have been proven to be false and often dangerous”.
- MPs are elected and they gain the democratic mandate from the population to pass laws, unlike pressure groups. Likewise, politicians are meant to be more knowledgeable about certain issues regarding the people - even the HOL which greatly protects the minority rights are held accountable by the HOC.
