How Influential Are PGs Flashcards
Introduction what is a pressure group
A pressure group is a group that tries to influence a government policy that they have certain views on. Their methods range from directly contacting the government, these pressure groups would be known as an insider pressure group, other groups use more direct action.
for example chaining themselves to goalposts likes at a Everton football game, or blocking roads and disrupting events with significant media coverage. Most PGs are more successful if they have a high level of public support wether they are an insider or outsider group.
Expert knowledge
PGs with a high level of knowledge in a particular policy area are often ‘insider’ and tend to be more successful at influencing the govt. many of these are people affected by the issue. For example the NFU, which represents the interests of farmers, successfully lobbied the UK Govt. to introduce a ‘badger cull’ to control the spread of Bovine TB; whilst the BMA, which represents the interest of doctors, was regularly consulted by the UK Govt. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although them working with the govt. doesn’t mean they will be successful. For example in 2012 the Health and Social Care Act which made significant reforms to the NHS was passed despite the BMA’s opposition to some of the reforms. Although insider groups work with the government doesn’t mean they will be listened to.
Government views
PGs who’s views are aligned with the government are usually more successful. For example Taxpayers Alliance is more successful at influencing the UK Govt. on economic policies when the Conservatives are in power than they when Labour are in power, whilst the opposite is true for the TUC however the CND, meanwhile, has been unsuccessful for decades in their campaign for the UK to disarm its nuclear weapons as their aims have been opposed by both Conservatives and Labour. Where a PG is affects their influence as well. For example Alcohol Focus’ campaign for Minimum Unit Pricing and LGBT PGs campaign for gender recognition reform have both been successful in Scotland but not in England due to a more collectivist and liberal view of the Scottish Govt. compared to the UK Govt.
Corporate interests
Many pressure groups are more successful due to their shared views with corporate companies due to the funding resources and access to media. For example CBI, which represents 200,000 companies, enjoys a close working relationship with the UK Govt. In 2019 the CBI successfully lobbied the UK Govt. for a lower increase in the NMW/NLW. With pressure groups that do well with the help of corporate interests, many pressure groups that don’t have corporate interests tend to be less successful. This is because they may lack the connections corporate companies could have to be able to be an insider group and effectively influence the governments decision making. For example the the Conservatives receive party donations from fossil fuel companies which may help to explain the lack of success of environmental PGs at influencing the UK Govt. on climate change. Doesn’t mean they are guaranteed success
Public opinion
This is an important factor as it is the public who decide who is in government and if they want to stay in government they will listen to public views if they are that serious. For example COVID Bereaved Families for Justice was successful in its campaign for the govt. to hold an independent public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic due to high levels of public support. Majority of the public support the cause but maybe not the method For example a survey done by Bristol university says despite many uk citizens agreeing that climate change is a major issue, a lot of the public find just stop oil a nuisance. This also contributes to that PGs success can change over time as public action issues change. For example ASH, who campaign for policies to reduce smoking, have been more successful in the last 20 years compared to FOREST, who campaign to defend the rights of smokers, as the public have become increasingly anti-smoking - the UK Govt. are currently introducing a bill to increase the smoking age by one year every year, a policy that ASH had been calling for.
