Pressure Groups

Question 1

What are the 4 main types of Pressure groups?

Answer 1

• Sectional: motivated by economic interests of members. Membership restricted to those in the industry/profession. (CBI, Unison, CWU, BMA, NFU) Can be too sectional and ignore the wider interests of the country.
• Promotional: promotes idea not directly related to interests of members. Single interest/cause groups. (CND, Greenpeace, ASH, SANE, RSPB, Countryside Alliance). Can be semi-permanent – reacting to specific events/legislation. Membership generally open and members encouraged to be involved in demonstrations etc.
• Insider: Regular direct access to ministers/government departments. Considered by government respected/informed. Hold authority/specialist knowledge within field of interest. Powerful enough to disrupt society if. Consulted during policy-making process. E.g.: CBI, NFU, BMA.
• Problems: Government lose sight of public interest by only listening to insider interests. Group becomes detached from membership/too close to government.
• Outsider: groups don’t want/can’t be close with government. Usually ideologically/politically unacceptable to the government, or lack specialist knowledge, e.g.: Extinction Rebellion, Countryside Alliance, Stop the War in Iraq Campaign. Forced to use demonstrations, lobbying, protests, and campaigns to influence policy-making. Often insignificant (vast majority of groups)

Question 2

Why are some pressure groups successful?

Answer 2

• Insider groups. Have enormous influence. They will have insider knowledge, unavailable to other groups.
• Widespread support with public/electorate so affect election results thus carry more weight with politicians. Politicians like to look in touch with public opinion.
• support from mainstream/social media. Positive publicity. Can remain high profile for significant periods of time.
• Agenda compatible with government. Fit well with pre-existing agenda/manifesto
• Large membership/support for their aims. Means more financial resources. And can draw on a wide pool of talent. Ability to mobilise large numbers for demos
• Well-organised/good leadership – Clear goals, tactics, strategies - more likely to succeed
• Access to resources/well-financed. If group carries out detailed research - strengthen position. May be useful to the government
• Few/weak opponents to agenda. Appear to have no opposition, so must have good ideas.
• United/few political rivals. Clear goals, unified strategy and tactics. Sole representative of the cause – no divide and rule.
• Specific events occur and gain media attention that boosts their profile/position. However, they must move fast before attention moves elsewhere.

Question 3

What makes pressure groups weaker?

Answer 3

• If they are the opposite of the above criteria

Question 4

Why and How do pressure groups wish to exert influence on the Government?

Answer 4

• PGs want policies implemented/to protect existing arrangements - done through government
• Government need research/advice, pressure groups can do this.
• Insiders work with ministers/civil servants, involved in policy-making
• A show of strength – large demonstrations show group has support/should be taken seriously
• Some pressure groups (sectional) powerful enough to disrupt economy/country, may feel need to remind government through strikes, campaigns or direct action

Question 5

Why and how do pressure groups wish to exert influence on public opinion?

Answer 5

• Widespread backing means greater influence on policy-making
• Seek to educate public, so campaigns get more support
• Demonstrations/Campaigns indicate popularity and value so worth joining or supporting.
• More members, expertise, research, resources, finance, group is more effective/influential.
• If public opinion is favourable more likely to gain media support
• If group can command public support, issues may be ones that affect voting intentions, forcing politicians to take aims more seriously.

Question 6

What are additional advantages/disadvantages in terms of success?

Answer 6

• MPs/Lords can be sponsored by a pressure group and will promote their cause. They can vote for or against legislation/introduce private members bills. Lobbying has limited influence. May influence local officials. May influence devolved institutions (Edinburgh, Belfast or Cardiff)
• Producing high-quality, relevant research can influence government. Time-consuming and expensive, not available to most groups.
• Demonstrations/direct action/strikes require high degree of planning need many members, much finance, time and resources. Turn violent or disruptive, the public/government may turn against aims.
• May launch campaigns around an issue – leaflets, meetings publicity, media, demonstrations etc. Attracts public attention. Require high degree of planning need many members, use finance, time/resources.
• Publicity stunts capture public’s imagination, convince government pressure group is willing to act. Expensive and time consuming, illegal, possibly resulting in arrests and jail sentences.
• Petitions widespread support for a cause or issue. These days, most petitions are on-line. Petitions are cheap, quick and easy and can reach huge numbers of people. They are also easy for the government to ignore.
• Celebrity support raises profile of groups with public/politicians and helps attract many followers quickly and cheaply. Celebrities tire easily of cause, or tarnish it with negative behaviour. Support fall away quickly.
• Terrorist actions alter political landscape and government decisions, though rarely admitted to. Violent, dangerous and illegal, so rarely supported. Undermine law and order, does not sit well with democracy.