Pressure groups Flashcards
Explain the success factor - resources
Resources – financial and organisational, giving a group the ability and people to mount a major campaign
Name 4 factors that ensure the success of pressure groups
- Resources
- Insider status
- Tactics
- Sharing the same agenda as the government
Give an example of a pressure group who have used their resources effectively
The countryside Alliance organised mass demonstrations in London. Anti-fox hunting legislation was successfully watered down in 2004 following demonstrations.
Explain the success factor - insider status
Insider status – being established in government circles and well trusted
Given example where insider status has been used successfully
Action on smoking and health (ASH). A series of pieces of legislation introduced to deter and reduce smoking.
Explain the success factor – tactics
Tactics – groups may find a good formula for influencing government and/or mobilising public support
Give an example where tactics have been used successfully
The save England’s forests campaign use a variety of tactics, including huge E petition, celebrity campaigners, demonstrations and MP involvement. Government plans to sell off large quantities of publicly owned forest in 2010 were cancelled
Explain the success factor – sharing the same agenda as the government
Sharing the same gender as the government – helps greatly when campaigning for change
Give an example where sharing the same gender as the government has been successful
The Confederation of British Industry welcomed a new business-friendly government in 2010. It secured a commitment by government to reduce corporation tax on company profits by 14% over four years
Do pressure groups enhance or damage democracy?
On the whole, pressure groups are seen as an important element in modern democracy. However there are senses in which they can be seen as undemocratic.
There are seven ways in which pressure groups enhance democracies over the next seven cards you need to name one way and give an example
- They often represent groups and courses that have been ignored by political parties e.g. plane stupid
Name a 2nd way pressure groups enhance democracy
- Help to disperse power more widely, preventing dangerous concentrations of power.
Another way which pressure groups enhance democracy
- They help to educate and inform the public about important issues.
E.g. Greenpeace, RSPCA
Another way the enhanced democracy
- They may help the governing process by providing informed advice.
E.g. countryside alliance, BMA
A 5th way they help democracy
- They can act as a control mechanism against over mighty government.
E.g. surfers against sewage
Is 6th way pressure groups enhance democracy
- They provide ways in which people can participate in politics, especially at a time when traditional forms of participation are declining.
E.g. National trust, Greenpeace, NUT
The last way which pressure groups enhance democracy
- They provide an outlet for people’s grievances – a process known as ‘tension release’.
E.g. occupy, Liberty
There are also 7 ways in which pressure groups do not support democracy over the following cards name 1 to 7.
Name 1 here with an examples
- They may undermine the authority of elected officials and Parliament.
E.g. BMI and trade unions such as NUT (National union of teachers)
Name a 2nd way which pressure groups do not support democracy
- They can be seen as representing the ‘politics of self interest’ and may present the public with biased or even full information.
E.g. trade unions – UNITE
Name a 3rd way which pressure groups do not support democracy
- If they are too powerful, they may create ‘hyper-pluralism’ which can hold up the process of government by being too obstructive.
E.g. trade unions – Unison or Greenpeace
Name a 4th way which pressure groups do not support democracy
- Pressure groups lack elective legitimacy and are not democratically accountable.
E.g. Greenpeace
Name a 5th way which pressure groups do not support democracy
- Those that engage in civil disobedience threaten order in society and subvert democracy.
E.g. occupy
Name a 6th way which pressure groups do not support democracy
- Some wealthy influential pressure groups may have more influence that can be justified.
E.g. countryside alliance
Name a 7th way which pressure groups do not support democracy
- The leadership of some elitist groups may not reflect accurately the views of their membership.
E.g. Greenpeace
