Pressure Groups 1 Flashcards
Define: Pressure group
An association that may be formal or informal, whose purpose is to further the interests of a specific section of society or to promote a particular cause by influencing government, the public or both
Features of pressure groups
They attempt to influence decisions - not make them
They operate on a relatively narrow range of issues
They operate at different levels of government
Westminster Parliament - Pressure groups operate in both Houses of Parliament with what
Legislative committees
Areas of government that pressure groups may enter consultation with
Policy bodies, ministers and civil servant - early stages
Westminster Parliament
Welsh, Scottish, Northern Ireland or London governments - When the issue is regional
Local government - When the issue is local
European Union level -
Law courts
Why may a pressure group operate in the law courts
Where they feel a section of society has been discriminated against,
If they feel the policy is not being implemented fairly
Why may a pressure group operate at European Union levels
If the issue involves agriculture, fisheries and trade
What are the functions of pressure groups
They play a key part in the governing process
Occasionally they may help individual MPs or peers who are trying to promote private members’ legislation
Representation
To educate and inform the public
Opportunity for political participation
Make government accountable and responsive
Scrutinise legislative and policy proposals
Allow peaceful protests
Define: Functional representation
The function of associations, usually pressure groups, which represent specific sections of society based on occupation, age, gender, income, etc.
Similarities between parties and pressure groups similar
Both representative
Some pressure groups put up candidates for election despite not seeking power
Single issue parties
Some pressure groups - such as trade unions adopt a wide range of policies and so appear quite similar to parties
Some pressure groups are very closely associated with parties
Differences between pressure groups and parties
- Parties seek power
- Parties must accept responsibility for all the policies that they propose
- Pressure groups have much narrower concerns
- Parties must behave in a certain way since they are accountable and seek election
Why do pressure groups put themselves forward for election
To raise publicity
It is important to establish the classification of pressure groups because it can help us to explain their behaviour. It is normal to divide them into two types:
- Sectional (or interest) groups
- Cause, issue or promotional groups
What is a sectional / interest group
Those that represent a specific section of society
Self-interested and thus concerned only with promoting the best interests of their members
What is a cause / issue / promotional group
Groups that do not have a specific section of the community to represent. They claim to be serving the interests of the whole community
What are dual-function groups
May both be sectional and cause-based. Represent a certain group as well as everyone’s best interests
Vague example of how local demands can clash with national demands
National demands for renewable energy often clash with local opposition to the creation of wind farms
Cancer research and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children are also pressure groups. They are seeking funds and / or _____________ from the _____________ to help those whom they serve
Legislation
Government
What is an insider pressure group
Pressure groups that operate inside the political system through contacts with ministers, MPs, peers and official committees, They are regularly consulted by govt.
What is an outsider pressure group
Pressure groups that have no special links with government but seek to influence decision makers by mobilising public opinion
How do governments benefit from insider pressure groups
Pressure groups can provide them useful information
How do insider pressure groups have an advantage
They take part in development of policy and so can hope to mould it to their own benefit. They may also be able to prevent unfavourable legislation at an early stage
How are insider pressure groups involved with the HoC
They are often called to select committee meetings and so have a direct input into the process of making government fully accountable
What is the European Commission
A status that gives pressure groups official access to commissioners who develop new policy
Constraints of insider pressure groups
They must act responsibly since they’re associated with the govt.
They could lose their independence by being too close to the govt. and losing member support
Reasons why a pressure group may not have insider status
They may prefer to be insiders but simply not have been invited - Aspiring insiders
It may prefer to remain outside the governing process to preserve its independence and its freedom of action
What are new social movements (NSM)
Broadly based, fairly informal movements that emerge, sometimes very rapidly, around a particular issue. They are characterised by the organisation of mass demonstrations and media campaigns that are designed to create maximum publicity and to put political pressure upon decision makers
Characteristics of new social movements
They appear on the political scene very rapidly
They are mass movements with many thousands of instant followers
They are concerned with a narrow range of issues or one single issue
They are often temporary, especially when they achieve some success
Their methods are striking, sometimes including acts of civil disobedience
They are loose, informal organisations
Their followers tend to have an intense attachment to the issue(s) in question
Insiders and outsiders tend to adopt different methods
Outsiders will always to mobilise widespread public support as a means of influencing govt.
Insiders may welcome public support, but prefer to work directly with decision makers and opinion formers
Define: Pluralism
A description of a political system where a wide range of beliefs and ideologies is tolerated
System where power is widely dispersed and not concentrated in a few hands
Pressure groups play a key role in a pluralist society
Define: Pluralist democracy
A democratic system where the demands and interests of many different groups in society are recognised and taken into consideration in policy making
Features of democracy
Freedom of information independent of govt.
People are represented
Govt. is fully accountable
Opportunities to participate
Rights of individuals and groups are taken into account
Democratic principles - free and fair elections, rule of law, equal rights, independent judiciary etc.
Democratic features of pressure groups
Education Representation Participation Minority interests Dispersal of power (Pluralism)
Undemocratic features of pressure groups
Disproportionate influence Finance Size Elitism Digital democracy Internal democracy
Methods of pressure groups
Lobbying
Parliamentary methods
Direct action
Mobilising public opinion
Why are some pressure groups more successful than others
Philosophy - If group's beliefs and aspirations are close to those of the govt. of the day Finance Size Organisation Opposition groups Insider status
Reasons for changing nature and activities of pressure groups
Participation - Partisan dealignment - decrease in voter turnout
Digital democracy - E-petitions
More places to campaign - EU - Devolved assemblies
Human Rights Act
Direct Action more feasible
Overall, membership of pressure groups has ___________
Increased
Define: Functional representation
Functional representation is where there is representation in a legislative or political body based on the economic and social groups in a community
The nature of elections in the UK mean that this is mainly achieved through the contribution of pressure groups
Reasons why pressure groups fail
Lack of popularity
Alienating the public
Govt. can resist campaign
Pressure group may contradict govt. policy
How can digitalised democracy be undemocratic
Fake news
Campaigns can give the impression that a cause has widespread support when it doesn’t
Excessive influence from the ‘mass population’ may not be well informed
Reasons why decision-making in Britain has spread over a much wider range of institutions:
The EU
Devolution
Importance of the courts
What is meant by extra-party institutions
Think tanks, policy units, private advisors and working parties
What do lobbyists do
Identify key decision makers, secure contacts with them and ensure that information that a pressure group wishes to share finds the appropriate target
How has the rise of digital democracy helped pressure groups
E-petitions
Easier to organise campaigns
Pressure groups can reach more potential members
Publicity
