pressure groups Flashcards
what are pressure groups
an association that can be formal or informal, who promote interests of a specific part of a society or promote a cause by influencing the gov
what is a promotional group
goal is to promote a particular cause or set of believes and values EG FRIENDS OF THE EARTH
what is a sectional group
aims to protect a specific section of society that is distinct from its own membership
what is an outsider
dont enjoy the special position within governing circles because they want to maintain independence from government or dont want to be seen too close to them
they dont need to behave in a responsible way, so often they use civil disobedience/ mass strikes or publicity stunts to get attention
EG GREEN SPACE
EG INSULATE BRITAIN
what is an insider
they have close links with the deision makers at all levels who can offer expert advice. they seek to become involved in the early staged of policy and law making
EG THE NATIONAL FARMERS UNION
what are the methods of pressure groups x 4
access points and lobbying - promoting causes and interests and seeking to have special relationships with councillors or MPs
making grants to political party - EG trade unions have financed the labour party for a long time to promote their interests to help influence policy… but it has miserably failed
public campaigning - mobilising public opinion to promote themselves EG mass demonstrations, e-petitions and celebrities eg GREEN SPACE aims to promote environmental issues and used civil disobedience such as destroying genetically modified crops and disrupting whaling
media campaigns
what are the 4 factors for success in pressure groups
size
finance
strategic position
public mood
Size
more supporters means that it can have more pressure on decision makers
EG AGE UK has had a lot of support because they are campaigning on behalf of the elderly - because they make up such a large proportion of the community, AND older people vote more… politicians listen, making this pressure group more successful
finance
wealthy groups can afford expensive campaigns, employ lobbyists, sponsor political parties and get favourable publicity
eg trade unions giving giving money to labour didnt have much impact on favourable legislation
strategic position
companies and groups have vital leverage because they are crucial to the economy
EG teachers/emergency services
They risk loosing this position tho if they overuse it
EG Railway workers striking, led by Mike Lynch, striking very often in 2022+2023 over wages - including over christmas which made people very frustrated and loose support for the… the gov offered a 4% increase but RMT rejected it because they want 7%
public mood
success over gay marriage was largely due to changes in public attitudes towards ‘alternative’ forms of sexuality
what are failure factors for pressure groups
too small, too little funds
unsympathetic gov
powerful opposing groups
too small, too little funds
groups that have recently emerged and only effect a small number of people.
hyperpluralism : rapid growth in numbers of groups in modern democracy which makes it difficult for gov because there are so many individual needs to be met
unsympathetic gov
conservatives are unsympathetic to trade unions eg thatcher with the miners
powerful opposing groups
eg Forest (a pro smoking campaign group) has been regularly defeated by the anti-smoking lobby group because they had the public opinion and govs backing eg ASH are an anit-smoking group
friends of the earth
aim: want to secure a safe climate with flourishing nature and healthy air for the next generation
successes- heathrow third runway ruled ‘illegal’: the gov acted illegally in plans to expand heathrow by not considering the paris agreement
Friends of the earth won the right to appeal and the plans were postponed. Heathrow is already one of the largest sources of emissions in the uk
what do think tanks do
research into various aspects of public policy
financed by either the gov or private sources of both
used to inform decision makers on policy
can be neutral/left or right wing
an example of a left leaning think tank
fabian society
discuss issues concerning social justice amd equality and work closely with labour
stand for active democracy and human rights
an example of a neutral think tank
Catham House
they analyse major global political events and strive to improve the world for future generations
eg helped global financial stability after ww2
eg influences chinas establishment of low carbon emissions
