interest groups Flashcards
what is Robert Dahl’s (1961) pluralism argument?
If there is open access to policy-makers and politicians, then any concerned group can influence policy outcomes.
Groups that have most to gain/lose will organise and be able to access policy-makers, while groups that have no interests at stake will not have a say.
Public officials should be ‘neutral referees’ of the battle between interest groups
problems with dahl’s pluralism argument
• Politicians are not ‘neutral referees’. If politicians seek votes, they will only listen to interest groups who share the policy preferences of their voters.
Some groups are able to organise better than others eg. Business interests have more than labour unions.
Politicians tend to operate around self-interest, therefore if associating themselves with a particular pressure group is going to have little benefit to them of their career then it is unlikely they will do so
how can success of interest groups be measured
by the groups capability to affect government policy, if it can push an agenda up the political hierarchy and its ability to change people’s values, perceptions and behaviour.
what are insider groups
groups that work within the government in order to influence policy. They are recognised as legitimate spokespersons for particular interests so can therefore engage in dialogue with the government with more ease than those not considered legitimate spokespersons.
what are outsider groups
Outsider groups work outside of the government so aren’t supported by it. They tend to use the media to promote their high profile campaigns in order to get the public’s attention
why could insider groups be considered more effective than outsider groups
Insider groups can be considered more successful than outsider groups in the way that they are seen as more of a legitimate cause due their close links in the political system. Political ties means politicians are more likely to change policy as a result of these groups
example of the effectiveness of a insider over outsider group
The insider group, Stonewall, relied on rational persuasion combined with using celebrities in order to gain access to the decision makers in the prime ministerial levels. On the other hand, the outsider group, OutRage, relied on tactics described as literally outrageous such as interrupting religious ceremonies and outing people who it claimed weren’t honest about their own homosexuality. • In this case, the insider group had been more successful as it had developed a respectable hierarchical internal structure whereas the outsider group had been disruptive which is less attractive to the public as well as the important governmental decision makers.
why might outside groups be more effective than insider groups
outsider groups are more likely to use direct action strategy to push their policies which has proven to be particularly successful.
example of an outsider group effectively using a direct action strategy
• Direct action protest groups such as the ones challenging Huntingdon Life Sciences had managed to make it difficult for the organisation to continue operating. It had to move locations and two key members felt unable to continue working for it. Furthermore, HLS was forced to spend £750,000 on piped gas supply to their new site in Maryland because local suppliers refused to deliver the oil by tanker.
three different resources that make groups more successful at influencing government policy
money, expertise, legitimacy
_____ of interest groups can cause some to be more successful than others due to sheer influence of the masses.
membership
The National Council to Control Handguns, has fewer members, less money and less cohesion amongst the members than the NRA shows what?
Groups that have more resources aren’t only likely to influence the government, but also have an increased chance in overcoming the majority view, as reflected in public opinion polls
the National Rifle Association receives a wide range of _______ to its actions on a daily basis. However its close-knit ties with the Republican Party ensure it is ______
hostile responses, protected against serious harm
effectiveness of majoritarian system
Highly concentrated and unified system of government with few entry points for lobbyists except the political centre, fewer veto players
• Often characterised by pluralist basis with open door policy, but few doors to go through
• Core executive dominates policy-making and limited scope for parliament or groups outside of parliament
effectiveness of a consensus system
Federal, separated or multiple entry points for lobbyists, more veto players
• Organised on (neo)-pluralist basis with open-door policy
• Multiple groups involved in decision making process and so more individuals to lobby
