Pressure Groups Flashcards
Pressure Group
A group of people whose aim is to influence those who wield political power
Cause Group
Has narrow focus and is concerned with an issue i.e. Friends of the Earth. In a more local sense a cause group can stop the building of a new airport runway or closing of a hospital
Sectional Pressure Group
Seeks to further the interests of a section of society i.e. NUT looks after interests of teachers, CBI (Confederation of British Industry), BMA looks after the interests of Doctors.
Insider Pressure Group
Pressure groups that have influence within the government i.e. BMA, National Farmers Union, Trade unions used to be an insider pressure group in the 1970’s but that changed when Margaret Thatcher was in power.
Outsider Groups
Do not have close relation with the government and can sometimes be a thorn in the side of the establishment i.e. Countryside Alliance, Plane Stupid, Fathers of Justice.
How do pressure groups try to influence those who have power?
1 - By trying to influence the government in power
2 - On the civil service
3 - On members of parliament e.g. If you want to save the local hospital you can work through your own constituency MP
4 - The HofL e.g. supportive of Fox Hunting. Though this failed in the end
5 - On the EU
Pressure groups and direct action
People turn to direct when there is a lack of confidence in the conventional political system.
Examples of direct action in recent years
- 2000 anti fuel-tax. Protestors blockaded petrol station
- Stop the War coalition 2003
- Anti-student fees protests 2010 & 1011
- Occupy anti big business campaigns 2011-2012
Lobby and Lobbyists
Lobbying an MP or anybody else in power is asking them for help
Factors that make a pressure group successful
- Size of membership
- Good finances
- Active membership
- Charismatic leadership e.g. Bob Geldof Live Aid
- Joanna Lumley with Justice for Ghurkas
- Media Interest
- Public Support
- Government support
- Realistic demands
- Moderation of protest e.g. Violenceat student fees protests did turn some people off
Examples of pressure groups that have been successful
Anti poll tax, Justice for Gurkha’s, Green peace Friend of Earth, have raised public awareness
Examples of pressure groups not so sucessful
Anti-student fees. Recent trade union movement on stop the cuts
Are pressure groups good for Democracy - Arguments For
1 - They Encourage a more plural
2 - They increase participation in the democratic process
3 - Allow a wider section of society to decide policy
4 - They increase the level of genuine political representation
5 - They increase the level of political communication
6 - They compensate the deficiencies in political parties - fewer people now join political parties but more join pressure groups
Arguments that pressure groups are not good for democracy - Arguments Against
1 - Not always representative of their members
2 - Minorities might seek to have too much political influence
3 - They undermine proper democratic institution like Parliament
4 - Elitism - money talks e.g. In the 1980’s big business groups linked to the Tory Government were able to outspend shop workers unions and Christian groups who wanted to keep Sunday special
5 - Capture - When a pressure group becomes a mouthpiece of the government and it is not independent e.g. the Trade Unions and Labour Governments in the 1970’s
6 - Pressure group can lead to a civil obedience and violence e.g. anti-tax movement, anti-student cuts movement occupy anti-capitalist movement
