Pressure groups Flashcards
Pressure group
A group of like minded individuals who seek to influence government policy to achieve a particular goal.
Difference between pressure groups and political parties
- PGs aim to influence the govt while parties aim to form a govt
- PGs can be divisive whereas parties must try to be inclusive
- PGs aren’t held accountable whereas parties are held accountable regularly
- PGs focus on particular issue whereas parties need to consider every issue
Why do people join pressure groups
- They feel strongly about a particular cause and want to get involved in causing change
- They have something to gain from joining , legal representation or job protection form unions
Social movements
An informal network of people who support similar goals for the improvement of an aspect of society.
- Less structured and organised than PGs and may include PGs within them
The Labour Movement
During the Industrial Revolution, many ppl moved out of the countryside to work in the newly industrialised towns and cities.
The growing working class had shared aims of higher pay, shorter working hours and safer conditions.
- This broad movement became more formalised to Trade Unions and the Labour Party
The Environmental movement
In the 1950s, the development of nuclear weapons/energy, oil spills and improvement of public education made ppl concerned about the environment and many began to make lifestyle changes.
- This led to the creation of Greenpeace and the Green Party
Functions of pressure groups
- Representation (functional representation : represent specific sections of society)
- Participation : in between elections & more direct
- Education : (public & govt)make public more aware of issue
- Scrutiny : hold govt to account between elections
Classification by Aims
- Sectional groups (interest)
- Cause groups (promotional)
Sectional Groups
Aims to protect the interest os their members and membership is usually exclusive.
EG: Trade Unions (NUT) only teachers can join
Cause groups
Aim to promote a specific cause that do not benefit groups members.
EG: Child poverty action group campaigns on behalf of children in poverty even though it doesn’t benefit members
Limitations of classification by Aims
Some groups don’t fit into any classification.
EG: the BMA is a sectional group as they protect the interest of doctors in the UK but they also campaigns for better public health policies as this goes beyond its members
Wynn Grants assumption on PG’s
That promotional groups are of greater benefit to society that interest ones because they are more conceived with the general good rather than personal advantage
Classification by Status
- Insider groups
- Outsider groups
Insider groups
Groups that regularly consult with the government so have insider status, they use their private contacts in Whitehall
BMA
Insider group
Aims:
- acts as doctors trade union
- lobbies govt for improvements to public health and healthcare
Membership:
- 160k
Methods:
- brief MPs on health policies and meet with minters
- Organised first full strike on junior doctors in April 2016 over changes to contract
BMA Successes and Failures
Successes:
- Plays leading role in every debate about public health and healthcare
- most respected insider groups (influences govt policies)
- Govt made policies championed by BMA (sugar tax on fizzy drinks, opt-out system for organ donations, compulsory seat belts for all passengers)
Failures:
- Govt didn’t give junior doctors the new contract after strike
- Less effective as interest groups as was unable to prevent doctors from taking a real terms pay cut in 2021
Outsider groups
Do not work directly with the govt and instead to try to influence public opinions
Limitations of classification by Status
- Peripheral influencers have little influence
- Insider groups can become outsiders and vice versa
- when BMA realised they couldn’t influence the govt they took insider groups methods at took its first strike action in 2012
How groups Switch Between Insider and Outsider Status
Some groups move between insider and outsider state according to changing political circumstances and the political leanings of the party in power
- EG: Trade unions enjoyed privileged access and influence in the post-war era esp with the Labour govt, but when Thatcher’s govt came into power in 1979, union leaders were excluded from the corridors of power
Types of Insiders
- Core insiders: work closely and regularly with the government
- Specialist Insiders: consulted on particular issues
- Peripheral Insiders: insiders but with very little influence
Types of outsiders
- Ideological outsiders: different ideological views make it impossible to work w/ govt
- Outsiders by necessity: lack the funding, expertise and resource s to be an insider
- Potential Insiders: lack the experience and support
Access points
The people and places that pressure groups can target to apply pressure for desires changes
UK Access points
- PM/ govt
- Parliament
- SC
- Scottish Parliament
- Welsh Assembly
- Mayors
Methods of insider pressure groups
- influencing the govt
- influencing parliament
- influencing parties
- using the courts
Professional Lobbyist
Retired politicians or civil servants hired to target ministers and other civil servants (close contacts) to influence the govt policy and legislation
David Cameron and Greensill capital lobbying
Former PM David Cameron became a paid advisor to greensill capital a company owned by Lex Greensill who was previously an unpaid supervisor to him whilst he was PM.
Cameron received significant shares in Greensill, so it was his financial interest for the company to grow significantly. In 2020 at the start of Covid, Cameron attempted to persuade govt ministers to allow Greensill to join the Covid financing facility - which would enable the company to issue govt insured loans and make them more money. Between March and June 2020 Cameron and hid team contacted govt minters including chancellor rishi Sunak 45 times.
Cameron didn’t break the lobbying act 2014 he had introduced because he didn’t count as a lobbyist because he was employed directly by Greensill Capital
how insiders lobby the govt
Once they’ve gotten their issues on the govts agenda
- they may have a consultation with the govt
- the govt might might issue green/white papers
How insider groups influence legislation
Secondary legislation
- which are rules made by ministers under powers given by Acts of Parliament
How insider groups lobby parliament
Lobbying backbench MPs to amend or block legislation to introduce their own bills
- Might write letter to local MPs to raise issue during debates
- Might ask MPs to introduce is AS PMB or Ballot bill
Strengths of lobbying
- Can provide expertise as well funded to carry out detailed research and help govt in decision making
- Lobbying is free speech
- There is some regulation - lobbying Act 2014, so greater transparency surrounding lobbying and more trust.
Limitations of lobbying
- Disproportionately helps powerful groups as they can afford to lobby the govt and dominate the agenda.
- Revolving door weakens the govt as they are able to sue their expertise and contracts to support lobbying leads to mistrust (Greensill scandal)
How do outsider PGs indirectly lobby public
- Educate the public on their issue
- Convince the public
- Encourage public support
- Get data to show public opinion is on their side
- Use this to pressure MPs
How did the cut on APR show success of PGs
In 2024 budget, reeves scraped the agricultural property relief so there will be 20% inheritance tax on all farms over £1m farms. Caused backlash from NFU and caused protest. Jeremy Clarkson said ‘it bashed the head on agricultural industry”. The NFU organised a mass lobby to meet 150 MPs but they refused and haven’t engaged. This shows outsider methods w mass participation don’t always affectively achieve PGs aims esp if they’re not in line w PGs priorities. This is important as the NFU was an insider but switched to outsider due to change of govt, as Sunak would attended their annual conference and were able to scrap the UK and Canada trade agreement as they didn’t want to compromise on food..
Civil disobedience
refusing to comply with legal restrictions on protest (legal direct action)
What did Peter Melchett from Greenpeace say about direct action
That it doesn’t highlight issues, it simplifies highly complex subjects. It cuts through the jargon, mystery and bureaucracy and it demands a straight answer
Factors that affect outcomes of PG’s
- membership
- resources
- aims
- public support
- methods & strategy
Why might aims influence PG outcomes
- If an aim is much more achievable than another so more success
- The issue is more salient (more on minds of ppl they want to influence)
- their aims are more favourable
- aima are more compatible with govt views (unions back in the day)
Why might resources influence PG outcomes
- more resources funds office, equipment, staff and advertising
EG: CBI has 13 offices across UK helping lobby govt in British business - financial resources (lobbying, donating, access points)
- human resources (membership)
Why might a well resourced PG find it difficult to achieve their aims
Because they have an equally, experienced well resourced opposition
- EG: Trade Union congress has 6mil workers and represents 54 unions but is normally in conflict with the CBI
Why might membership influence outcomes of PG’s
- gives greater legitimacy so more influence over govt
- highly regarded memberships have more influence on politicians, media,public (BMA-respected doctors)
Umbrella groups
Organisations that represent the interests of a number of different pressure groups with similar interests or causes
Example of umbrella groups
COPA & COGECA
These umbrella groups represent over 30 million farmers across the EU and has successfully lobbies the EU particularly in budget allocated for the common agricultural policy
Think tanks
Group of experts who are brought together to develop economic and political issues.
- They have strong connections to political parties
- Are privately funded by wealthy individuals or businesses
How think tanks have influence
alternative source of ideas, with some more expertise to carry research and come up with policy solutions, they have to be aligned with government thinking to have an impact on policy
- They have been criticised for being filled with young ppl trying to boost their political careers (David Milliband workers for IPPR)
How are PG bad for democracy - Representation
NO:
- good for salient and popular causes
- essential for minority groups / unpopular causes
- addresses tyranny of majority
YES:
- PG’s are self interested, their only concerned with their members or cause
- NIMBYISM - groups who protest plans bcuz they would prefer it somewhere else not that they disagree (hs2)
Why do PG lack internal democracy
- They are not democratic
- Unelected members make many important decisions
- Few members are actively involved and some are ‘cheque book members’
Cheque book members
Individuals that make a donation or pay membership fees but do noting else to support groups aims
Pluralism
Different groups compete equally for power and influence. Power is fragmented and dispersed in society.
Elitism
Power is concentrated and restricted. Many PGs exists buy a very have real influence and power.
Pluralist democracy
Open and fair competition between all political parties and PGs
The revolving door
the movement of retired ministers and civil servants into new jobs as lobbyists returning to their old departments to lobby former colleagues.
How has the labour govt been recently accused to the ‘revolving door’
Treasury minister, Emma Reynolds who’s responsible for UK relationship on financial services refused to recuse herself from govt policy w China despite having previously worked for a lobbying firm that lobbied the govt on that exact issue (UK & Chinas relationship on financial services). She’s an MP who worked for the city uk as a managing director, which is a lobbying form for banks and financial services- this raises concerns on corruption.
How do PGs reinforce existing inequality
The most wealthy and well connected in society have the resources and status to more effectively lobby the govt which makes it easier to promote policies that protect their interests and status
What did Conservative MP Douglas Hurd describe pressure groups as
“Serpents that strangle efficient govt”
As PGs are undemocratic and aren’t held accountable, the public doesn’t get to vote out
How can PGs lead to tyranny of the minority
PGs give voice to minority groups, it they gain too much influence in govt the needs of a small minority may be put over the needs of the public through lobbying or direct action.
