Pressure groups Flashcards
No they don’t strengthen democracy
Their activities, however, are not without drawbacks because the monitoring of th government by groups can have an impact on the at we do politics. Such groups are often self selecting and in Britain often lean toward the liberal end of the spectrum. Their causes are invariably selective. The increasing visibility of promotional groups reinforces the face that British politics is less part orientated than ever before and political activism less focussed on institutions. Politics as a result, is becoming more issue-led.
Traditional functions of pressure groups
- provide a means of popular participation in national politics between elections
- means of popular participation in local politics
- source of specialist knowledge
Why have pressure groups increased in importance
Membership of political parties has fallen, given the important roles parties play in the system, the decline in membership is even more important
A perception that political parties no longer represent the interests of their members
New social movements have caused more people to join pressure groups
Are some pressure groups more equal than others?
Pluralists argue that society consists of many groups reprsenting difference sections of the population that all have equal opportunity to shape government policy preferences.
What did Robert Dahl say?
In 1971 he said that democracy could not exist without the continuing responsiveness of the government to the preferences of its citizens considered as political equals
What is pluralism
The ability for all groups to have equal potential to reach decision makers with the ability to influence policy determined largely by the sized of their membership, by how far the leadership of pressure group consults members and by the quality of the argument they p forward
How is power dispersed?
While resources are not distributed equally between groups, those that are better off in some resources are invariably worse off in other areas. This often means that one ‘influence resource’ is effective in some issue areas or in some specific decisions, it is by no means as effective in all areas. Ex-BMA have membership but we’re in negotiations o er junior doctor issue for months. Also in the case of the U.K. Political system, this would account to the influence of business interests on issues such as the management of the economy and the support pledged by Gordon Brown in 2000
Another point for are they all equal
,0The pre-eminence of one group is also prevented by the tendency for opponents of successful groups to gather support into the form of a rival pressure group. This provides a counterbalance to previously dominating groups and establishes an approximate balance of power between them. The development of trade unions in the 80s and their role in the corporatist state in pre-Thatcherite Britain
Another point for are they equal
Few groups are entirely lacking in influence resources. Even the smallest impoverished campaign organisations have the ability to exert some influence, if they are able to exploit what dew resources, they have the power to deny their votes and the votes of their supporters to political parties to ignore their position
Are pressure groups instruments of people power?
In theory, groups provide a means for individuals to express their demands more effectively than they could do on their own. The World Wildlife Fund, has over 200,000 members, has treated impact on government about wildlife crime or animals threshed ended with extinctionthan one person who persistently emails the relevant government department about the very same issue
Do pressure groups strengthen democracy?
Associational and promotional groups/ cause groups have an important representational function because they communicate opinion to politicians and policy makers. Representative democracy canon itself ensure e state acts in the interest of society. The public may elect and replace politicians. But interest and pressure groups,making side public opinion and the media, help to duck and balance Government so help the democratic process
M in MEALFOP
Membership: the extent of a group’s membership, its density (does it speak for most people in the industry/ profession?), and more especially the size of its activist base.
E in MEALFOP
Esteem: professional groups generally have a high social status. Doctors are less criticised than unions. NACRO (representing ex-offenders) and Release (representing drug addicts) lack strong public appeal.)
A in MEALFOP
The ability to make a strategic alliance: some groups supplement their own resources by forming alliances. For example, in opposing identity cards, libertarian campaigners cooperated with activists from groups representing asylum seekers and immigrants who feared that they would be victims of endless requests to prove they had a right to be in Britain.
L in MEALFOP
Leadership and staffing: successful organisations tend to be those that are well led, with charismatic, creative and energetic leaders being supported by an efficient staff.
F in MEALFOP
Funding: money helps groups organise internally and exercise influence externally. It enables expenditure on quality leadership, the creation of a favourable image and generous office/ staffing provision.
O in MEALFOP
Organisation: protective groups can afford generous staffing and office space. Promotional groups, including some of the most vulnerable sections of society, cannot. But they can be well-run by a small, highly centralised and professional command structure. The RSPB is very highly organised.
P in MEALFOP
Public support: groups whose campaigns are in tune with popular mood have a considerable advantage. Governments are sensitive to the views of the electorate particularly near election time.
International Access Points
- United Nations
- UN related bodies e.g. World Bank
- G8
- Overseas governments.
UK Access Points
- Executive (Whitehall)
- Parliament (both chambers) (Westminster)
- Courts
- Devolved machinery
- Local authorities
Other Access Points
- Public
- Other Pressure Groups
- Private Companies
- Public corporations
- Media
European Access Points
- Council of ministers
- Commission
- Parliament
- Court of Justice
Why does Government consult widely?
Governments make a practice of consulting widely. They do this because:
1) Can ascertain views of members – valuable in helping ministers make policy and monitoring success of previous measures.
2) Get technical information and advice.
3) Obtain assistance in carrying out policy. E.g. Farmers helped when there was an outbreak of BSE.
4) Ministers can use contacts as a means of communicating information.
Why do Pressure Groups target the the executive
- In almost all countries pressure groups target the executive branch. As David Simpson argues: ‘Pressure Groups concentrate their activities where the power lies. In the British system it lies in the executive.’
- Most often, the lobbyists (who are interested in the small print of policy) have contact with senior figures.
- It is the Higher Civil Service which offers advice to the Sec of State so it is very worthwhile to contact senior civil servants.