pressure groups Flashcards
name some insider groups UK
NFU, BMA, CBI, National Trust
name some outsider groups
Extinction Rebellion, Amnesty International,
Fathers’ 4 justice
what are the advantages that insiders have?
close proximity to the government
well resourced, financially, able to hire professional lobbyists
historic ties to political parties, labour an trade unions
what is a case study for an insider group?
National Trust
founded in 1895, membership of over 5 million
major landowner
preserve buildings, promote biodiversity and nature conservation
lobbying the government in issues such as preserving the green belt
long established, membership made up white middle class
why did the National Trust speak out against the government?
2011, took a strong public stance against government proposed changes to land-use planning in England.
argued that changes to the planning system would make it easier to build on greenfield sites, been crushed through parliament and represented a serious threat to the countryside
set up a petition, government modified aspects of its national planning policy to accommodate fears that were raised by the trust
what is a case study of an outsider pressure group?
Extinction Rebellion XR
example of a holacratic pressure group
launched in 2018, demonstrations such as road blockings and bridges.
first major action was when it blocked a road in Trafalgar square
2019, 11 day wave of demonstrations, major disruption to London traffic, protesters glued themselves to the London Stock Exchange and train carriages
what is a central part of XR’s tactics?
encourage mass arrests
2019 almost 2000 arrested from around 30,000 protestors
failed attempt to spray the treasury building with fake blood from a fire engine
remembrance day 2020 members of XR laid a wreath and a banner - climate change means war
how do PG promote elitism?
power disrupted unequally in society and politics
powerful and well resourced use their insider status to influence and manipulate legislation and regulations
groups that are dominant claim a monopoly of knowledge
PG are undemocratic themselves in structure and dominated by internal elites
most marginalised and poorly resourced, homelessness and unemployed lack representation
how do PG promote pluralism?
democracy, no section of society has a monopoly of power
social media has enabled groups with limited financial resources to communicate their message to the large masses
governments are keen not to be out of touch with voters, democracy, votes still matter, governments are too wary of being too close to a narrow clique that could be seen to be hostile to a large body of public opinion
newer PGs are non-hierarchical and loosely structure BLM and XR
checks in place that can limit the power of even the most entrenched and traditionally powerful PG, BMA restored to strike action in response to government reforms to the health services, doctors pay and conditions
how do PG harm democracy?
many members are chequebook members who join for the benefits and not out of principled conviction, participation may be down to signing an e-petition or an email to MP
PG have small unrepresentative memberships, not truly representative of public opinion
PG don’t have a direct democratic mandate, lack political legitimacy
PG lack transparent structures, disagreements or personality clashes may lead to splits, XR split to set up radical Beyond Politics party in 2020
how do PGs help democracy?
popular forums for campaigning and active political participation, Stop the War coalition, 2003 Iraq war 1 million people attended. largest ever political demonstration in the UK
perform representative function, every group and viewpoint is represented by a PG in some way
enable representation between elections, lobbying and campaign work, ensure issues are debated outside election campaigns, allow marginalised groups to be heard
make use of wide democratic bodies, Westminster, local councils, devolved bodies, argued that they bring accountability to some of the less democratic parts of the state
structures that are internally democratic, trade unions have regulated the secret ballot for internal positions and for when they want to take industrial action
contribute positively to public awareness and knowledge of specific issues