Other Groups Flashcards
other groups that seek to exercise influence in the political system
think tanks
lobbyists
corporations
THINK TANKS
what are think tanks?
A group of experts who are brought together to investigate particular topics and offer solutions to economic social or political issues
Alternative source of ideas to the civil service — more time and expertise to conduct research
A body of experts who do research and advocate public policy
An organisation whose role is to undertake research into various aspects of public policy to formulate and develop it
Formulate and develop policy ideas
Financed either by government or by private sources who wish to have their ideas made into government policy
Used by decision-makers to inform their political deliberation
Maybe neutral but sometimes they aren’t
Typically staffed by young ambitious individual to see their time there as a springboard to a political career
THINK TANKS
what are the aims of think tanks?
Formulate and develop policy ideas through focused and academic research
Gain party membership
Persuade the government to adopt their policy goals — work with current government or align themselves with a particular party
THINK TANKS
examples of think tanks
Adam Smith Institute single issue right wing think tank group focuses on freemarket issues and solutions to economic issues
The Conservative party shift towards a more free market approach owed a great deal to Thatchers patronage of think tanks such as the Adam Smith Institute
Liberty — liberal think tank promoting And investigating issues concerning the protection of rights and liberties
Some think tanks may have definite influence on government policy — E.g. in 2004 former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith set up the Centre for social justice to look for solutions to the problems of people living in disadvantaged communities he was later appointed as work and pensions Secretary in the coalition Government and this enabled him to implement some of his think tank’s ideas such as universal credit which seeks to reduce the dependence of poor people on welfare benefits
THINK TANKS
concerns about think tanks
Financed largely by corporations and wealthy individuals at the risk of leaning in the political direction of their sponsors and looking out for their interests may skew their findings or be biased
Typically staffed by young people who see that either as a springboard to political career potentially lacks academic rigour e.g. David Miliband started off as a think tank became an advisor to Blair that an MP then a senior minister in the new Labour government
LOBBYISTS
what are lobbyists?
People employed to meet with key political figures to persuade them to support their aims
Individuals employed by clients seeking access to government MPs or lords
Meet with key political figures to persuade them to support their clients aims
Seek to gain influence and promote the interests of their employers especially when legislation affecting their clients is under consideration
An extension of the principle that the public may lobby their MPs in person or by letter
Lobby is derived from the hallways in parliament where people would meet MPs and ask for help
It is uncertain how much influence lobbying has over government — under Cameron it was denied that lobbying firms changed government policy
however they frequently meet to discuss concerns — the government carries out regular consultations to discover the impact of proposed legislation on relevant groups, as a result they may modify their plans in response to pressure which may come from lobbyists
LOBBYISTS
what are the aims of lobbyists?
Persuade politicians to support their aims which can give them a distinct advantage
Promote particular interests of their employers
Impact decisions and petition government
LOBBYISTS
examples of lobbyists
There are 114 lobbying firms in the UK who employ lobbyists with access to and contact with political figures
one group Successfully lobbied to increase government funding for child survival by $50 million
Employs around 4000 people big business in the UK £2 billion spent on lobbying each year
LOBBYISTS
concerns about lobbyists
Far from neutral some former politicians are lobbyists and they have access points and contacts in the government revolving door process
Hidden face of influence and only representative of wealthy interests from wealthy people who want to employ them and can afford to do so
Expected to regulate themselves and did not have to put their names on the public register up until 2014 but the government made it a legal requirement for anyone lobbying on behalf of a third-party to register their activities including discussing policy or legislation with ministers or civil servants
Legalised bribery influence can be bought by wealthy individuals and organisations Parliamentary code of conduct bars MPs from accepting money for agreeing to represent a viewpoint but this does not mean it does not happen journalists have got undercover as lobbyists trying to entrap MPs with offers of financial awards
Huge amounts of money are spend on lobbying and a lot of it is done for profit
CORPORATIONS
what are corporations?
Large companies and businesses
May lobby government to modify policies that affect their business interests
Pressure government to implement favourable legislation can do this as they control a key sector of the economy
Often work closely with the government in order to develop practical legislation
Government consult them on certain policy ideas to check that they are practical and help them implement key proposals
CORPORATIONS
what are the aims of corporations?
Exert pressure on those in charge to gain advantage, through lobbying
Exert influence and pressure as they control a key sector of the economy
CORPORATIONS
examples of corporations
Nissan Ford threatening to move their manufacturing plants elsewhere to pressure the government to give them favourable legislation and financial assistance
Google after prolonged negotiation with HM revenue and customs Google agreed to pay £130 million in taxes dating back to 2005 MPs argued this was not enough given the levels of profit made by the firm in the UK
CORPORATIONS
concerns with corporations
Have the power to pressure the government to give them favourable legislation or financial assistance by threatening to relocate their manufacturing plants or offices, resulting in increased unemployment and a loss of economic strength
Regularly Campaign on behalf of favoured candidates and issues typically representing the issues of the wealthy
Numerous business leaders have become ministers by being appointed to the House of Lords conflict-of-interest bias
Revolving door process senior politicians and officials take well-paid jobs in the private sector when they leave government then using their knowledge and contacts to benefit the corporations they work for
Tax — how far multinational corporations operating in the UK can be compelled to pay a fair level of tax In 2016 Google agreed to pay £130 million in taxes which many MPs argued was lenient given the profits they had made
