Pressure Groups Flashcards
Are PGs becoming more powerful? YES
GROWTH IN PROPORTIONAL GROUPS
- Membership of many promotional groups dwarfs that of parties eg RSPB (1 mill members) membership larger than combined membership of 3 main parties.
- Cyberactivism- Political action based on use of ‘new’ technology.
- Examples of political protest- left and right wing
MORE ACCESS POINTS
- Devolution
- Human Rights Act (1998) increased PGs activity focused on courts-benefit groups that represent ethnic minorities
- European integration.
GLOBALIZATION
-Emergence of NGOs
Are PGs becoming more powerful? NO
END OF CORPORATISM
- Corporatism- incorporation of key economic groups into the process of gov, creating a partnership between gov, business and labour.
- High point of PGs in 1970 as period of corporatism
- Thatcher gov dismantled corporatism as they had suspicion over Trade Unions.
DECLINE IN MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION
-Group members may have increased but members have become increasingly more passive eg checkbook participation.
Positive functions of PGs
PARTICIPATION- Individuals can participate in local, national and global politics
PUBLIC EDUCATION
REPRESENTATION- Provide voice for groups not adequately represented by electoral process.
-PGs focus on more specific issues.
-Some argue functional representation (representation of groups based on their function within society)will take over formal representative process.
POLICY MAKING
LOBBYING- Groups can engage to provide info to the gov on areas in which they’re experts eg RSPB.
How do insider and outside groups campaign?
INSIDER
- Sponsorship of MPs
- Direct lobbying of ministers
- Party Donations
OUTSIDER
- Sectional groups may strike (National Rail 2005)
- Petitions/ E-petitions
- Internet campaigns
- Lobbying on single issues
- Illegal activities
Outsider Groups
Outsider group- Not consulted by gov regularly
POTENTIAL INSIDER GROUPS
-Aspire to insider status eg Countryside Alliance
OUTSIDER GROUPS BY NECESSITY
-Lacking political knowledge and skills to become insider groups.
IDEOLOGICAL OUTSIDER GROUPS
- Radical aims not compatible with gov
- Members attracted to tactics of direct action eg Animal Liberation front.
PGs VS Politcal Parties
PGs
- Seek to exert influence
- Narrow issue focus
- Shared interests
POLITCAL PARTIES
- Seek to win power
- Broad issue focus
- Shared preferences
Sectional (interest) groups
A group that represents a particular section of society: workers, employers, consumers.
FEATURES
- Concerned to protect/advance interests of members.
- Membership limited to people in particular occupation, career or economical position.
- Motivated by material self interest.
EXAMPLES
- Trade Unions
- Business Corporations
- Trade Assosiations
- BMA
Promotional (cause/attitude/ issue) groups
A group that exists to advance particular values, ideals and principles.
FEATURES
- Seek to advance particular ideals and principles
- Membership is open to all.
- Members motivated by moral or altruistic concerns (BETTERMENT OF OTHERS)
EXAMPLES
- Friends of earth
- Green Peace.
Promotional Vs Sectional
PROMOTIONAL
- Promote issues
- Open membership
- Moral concerns-a group ‘for’
- Benefit others or wider society
SECTIONAL GROUPS
- Defend interests
- Closed membership
- Material Concerns- a group ‘of’
- Benefit members only.
Insider groups
A group that regularly consults with gov.
HIGH PROFILE INSIDER GROUP
-Operate both behind the scenes and through the mass media and public opinion campaigns eg BI, NFU
LOW PROFILE INSIDER GROUPS
- Focus on developing contact with gov
- Rarely seek to influence wider public eg Howard League for Penal Reform
PRISONER GROUP
-Dependent of gov (may fund or created them)
eg Commission For Equality and Human Rights.
Negative Functions of PGs
REPRESENTATION
-Low internal democracy=express the views of their leader and not members.
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
- Group membership does not always involve participation
- Checkbook groups EG National Trust
MAKING POLICY
- Only insider groups involved in policy formulation
- Groups should not form policies as unelected and not pubically accountable
EDUCATION
-Every bit as biased as political parties
How PGs exert influence: Ministers and Civil Servants
-Gov is where power is
Gov consult PGs for 3 reasons
1) Aquire specialised knowledge and advice to form policy process.
2) Gain cooperation (of important groups)
3) Gauge reaction of affected groups to proposed policy
Meetings with ministers allow PGs to exert influence directly where policy is made.
How PGs exert influence: Parliament (LOBBYING)
PARLIAMENT (LOBBYING)
- For groups without access to executive
- Lobbyist seek to make contact with MPs-providing them with briefing and information packs.
GROWN IN IMPORTANCE DUE TO:
1) More independently minded BBs
2) Introduction of departmental select comittees.
3) Growing use of professional lobbyists
4) Partially reformed HOL more assertive
How PGs exert influence: Political Parties
POLITICAL PARTIES
-Influencing politcal parties and party policy can lead to influence on government policy because in UK gov are formed from leading in HOC
FUNDING & DONATIONS
- Trade Unions- funding declined from 3/4 to 1/3
- 2 major parties get most their funding from business and wealthy individuals
How PGs exert influence: Public Opinion
PUBLIC OPINION
-Indirectly push issues up political agenda and demonstrating public support for an issue in hope gov will pay attention for fear of suffering electoral consequences.
MARCHES, PUBLIC PETITIONS, DEMONSTRATIONS
- Campaigning for Nuclear Disarment
- Used more widely
- Attract media and therefore gain wider influence
- Outcome of 1974 and 1979 general election affected by miners strike
INFORMED PUBLIC OPINION
-Exert influence via informed classes (magazines,daily press) people best placed to sway MPs and minsters.
