Pressure Groups Flashcards
what are the similarities between political parties and pressure groups
- both aimed to make political changes in the UK
- both have leaders and a large amount of members
How do political parties (PP) and pressure groups (PG) differ
- PP want to form a government where as PG aim to influence a government
- PP are focussed on a wide range of subjects, PG focus on particular issues
- PP are held accountable at elections, PG aren’t held accountable
what are single-issue parties
parties that don’t want power and don’t think it’s realistic, but they want to attract publicity to their reforms
How do social movements differ from pressure groups
Pressure groups are a formal group of people with a designated leader and specific goal, social movements are informal networks of people who broadly support similar aims
what are the main functions of pressure groups
- representation
- direct form of participation
- educates the public on issues
- hold government accountable between elections
why do a pressure group’s aims have such an impact on it’s chances of success
- if the aims are easier and more achievable than others
- if the issues are much more salient (on the minds of the locals)
- if their aims are compatible with the government views
why can financial resources give some groups an advantage
- having more money means that they can afford to try different methods to get the government attention
- they can hire professional lobbyists
How important is the existence of an opposition group
(PGs)
if their views are in conflict with another group it can be hard to make changes
why are human resources also very important
- larger membership gives them more legitimacy because they speak on the behalf of more people
- the impacts of their actions will be more substantial
- Are the party members likely to vote in elections (older people)
what are umbrella groups? what advantages do they have?
- organisations that work on the behalf of other pressure groups and therefor they have a much larger membership
- the COPA and COGECA represent over 30 million farmers across the European Union, they have successfully lobbied the European Union
why can status have such an impact on success
members of policy communities and issue networks can shape legislation before it is drafted, insiders have far more access
why might some methods be more successful than others
- some methods might attract large amounts of media coverage such as protests but the government might be more responsive to official channels
- 15th February 2003, 1 million people marched to protest against plans to invade Iraq, yet it didn’t stop the government
what are sectional/interest groups
- defend interests
- closed membership
- material concerns
- benefit members only
give an example of a sectional/interest group and what they do
NEU (national education union)
- defend interests of teachers in both state and private schools in the UK
- only open to teaching professionals
- material concerns of pay, contract hours, curriculum, holiday times
what are cause/promotional groups
- promote causes
- open membership to all
- moral concerns
- benefit others or the wider society
give an example of a cause/promotional group and what they do
Frack Off
- promote the dangers of Fracking and environmental concerns
- anyone can join or donate
- moral concern is that Fracking is dangerous, and is a tool of big energy companies to get rich
- benefit the whole of society to live in a safer, healthier environment
the RMT Union
main aims:
- promote the rights of the workers in the transport industry
Strategies used:
- put up candidates for the elections
- have performed strikes
- work to rule (doing the least amount of work possible)
- insiders with labour
classification:
- interest group with some insiders and some outsiders
Greenpeace
Main aims:
- to increase environmental protection
Strategies used:
- conducted research + published reports
- direct action - protests, petitions, large membership
Classification:
- cause group
- outsider group
ASH (action on smoking and health)
Main aims:
- to spread the knowledge on the harmful effects of tobacco use and to press the government to adopt policies
Strategies used:
- conduct research into the effects of tobacco
- lobbying law makers and governments
Classification:
- insider group
- cause group
give an example of an insider group
British Medical Association (BMA)
- in regular consultation with Matt Handcock and senior health ministers
- Mostly low profile
- strong executive leadership
what is the benefit of being an insider
no need to protest and much more likely to have their views heard and changed
give an example of an outsider group
extinction rebellion
- no contact with any senior members of government
- high profile, made the news most weeks for protests
- radical solutions to climate change (no flights etc)
- strong grass roots, particularly left wing students
what is lobbying
Trying to get to where the power lies i.e. influence those who can make big policy decisions
specific example of lobbying
Lobby Health Secretary Wes Streeting for better contracts for Junior doctors
what is developing links with political parties
trade unions working in close proximity with government to make changes
what is an example of developing links
farmers union working with the government to make changes
what is influencing public opinion
when groups purpose is to influence the government indirectly by pressuring them into making changes
give an example of influencing public opinion
Save ralph - the movies to try make changes to animal testing
what is Direct Action
political action that has an immediate effect on the UK government
