pressure groups and civil rights- D&M Flashcards
what are key methods that are used by pressure groups with key examples?
working with ministers and civil servants, they may want to inform the policy process, AMA, in 2020 the Runnymede trust gave evidence to the Education select committee about its concerns over bias and grades.
Working with political parties- labour getting donations from Trade unions, think-tank common wealth was able to influence a 2019 policy that was designed to put 10% of shares of big business into the hands of the workers.
engaging the public- these may be methods such as marches. RMT boss was seen to be an effective media leader ““you’re a liar”. pat Cullen also spoke on the picket line of the RNC nursing strike, “you deserve better”
Just stop oil protest- invaded the world champion snooker championship arena, stopped shows, closed down roads- seen to be a success as they said that their demand to end new oil and gas is now public policy.
why are some methods more successful than others?- this also links into why PG’s are becoming more successful
insider methods of engaging with the government are seen to be effective, when a party wins power they gain more influence
insider status with devolved powers is also more important- CBI has offices in the devolved nations and claimed to have made successful policy changes for businesses with regards to connectivity.
direct action has become more effective with the media
judicial review is also being used more frequently- mr bates vs post office, miller case.
Success of public support- 1997 firearms amendment act, 750000 signatures after the shooting in Dunblane.
the Government may also be sympathetic with the aims of the PG- Doctor strikes, rejected under Sunak and settled under Starmer (BMA)
Marcus Rashford was able to gain support for the extending of free school meals
why might some methods not be as successful?- this links to why PG’S are failing more.
power has moved away from the EU- the CBI had offices in Brussels.
The government still dominates parliament and parliamentary sovereignty has remained pinnacle
PG have disearned the public with their violent and disruptive protests
Judicial review is expensive and often in-effective.
Trade unions are becoming less influential- in the 1970’s they had 12 million members, they now have 5-6 million members.
the biggest TU; UNISON has 1.3 million members.
did the RCN manage to achieve their aims?
did the doctor strikes achieve their aims?
nurses rejected a 5.5% pay rise, though this was what was later agreed.
the junior doctor strikes got their 22.3%, not the full restoration that they wanted.
did the RMT strikes achieve their aims?
they voted to accept the pay deal from 14 train companies, ending the dispute
how does the status of a PG influence the government?
ASH and BMA had influence over the Blair Government and policy on vaping
The institute of economic affairs is also well-respected and their ideas had an influence over her mini-budget of 2022
The CBI, close to Cons were against Brexit, yet it was negotiated.
favourable media attention and the endorsement of celebrities- 2009; Lumley was able to get the Ghurka’s to stay in the UK
Rashford
leadership is also key- people like Mick Lynch from RMT, leader of liberty and in 2005 successfully campaigned in the courts against anti-social behaviour laws and terror related laws.
why are pressure groups good/bad for democracy?
GOOD:
They hold the government to account
freedom of speech/expression
they are able to express the views of minorities
they often well-structured with elected leaders
BAD:
difference between insider/outsider
they may alienate the public, violent protest, criminal actions by the ALF- property destruction and arson, just stop oil added to a woman’s poor health and Oxfam.
unfair influence- lobbying and corporation, buying influence- TU and their donations to the Labour Party.
what are the differences between individual and collective rights? and why can they clash?
Individual rights are freedoms and entitlements belonging to each person, while collective rights are held by a group or community as a whole, often related to group identity or shared interests.
Collective rights place restrictions on the freedom of expression of individual rights
examples of cases of the previous fc?
Ashers vs Lee, 2018- the sc ruled in favour of evangelical christians that refused to make a cake because it referred to ““support gay marriage”, the court ruled that the decision was made because the bakers made the decion based in their beliefs and not against gay people, groups such as stonewall saw the measures as a set-back
HMCI vs the interim executive board of al-hijirah school, 2017 this is a voluntary co-educational school; and the sc ruled that the segregation that happened from year 5 denied the children their right to mix socially.
what is the significance of individual rights vs collective rights of the state?
sentencing laws: Vinter and Others vs UK, the ECtHR ruled that there had to be the possibility of release and a possibility of review, which led the previous justice secretary Chris Grayling
