Pressure Groups Essay

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

When it comes to pressure groups’ influence on the government, some would argue that the most effective way for citizens to influence is by responding to consultations. However it can be argued that setting up and signing a petition are also an effective method. Ultimately this response will show why lobbying the government is maybe the most influential method available to citizens.

Question 2

Responding to Consultations

Describe

Answer 2

This allows pressure groups to listen and engage with the people who share the same expertise which they try to change. This can influence the government’s decisions on laws and legislations as the pressure group using the consultation can express their views and show the amount of people willing to take action.

Question 3

Responding to consultations

Example

Answer 3

For example, the Scottish Government recently consulted on tougher penalties for people who harm wildlife. The Law Society, an insider pressure group responded with their experience and the proposal became law in 2020.

Question 4

Responding to Consultations

Analysis

Answer 4

It is ideal for a pressure group to make a contribution on an issue as it gives the group an advantage against the government because they are more likely to have their views taken into account as a result. This also shows a huge number of people who are willing to vote against the government if action is not taken.

Question 5

Responding to Consultations - aren’t influential

Describe

Answer 5

The government does not have to accept the responses given, or act upon it. The government may only issue a consultation for the pressure groups to give the perception that the pressure groups views are being acknowledged despite the government already having made up their minds. This can be the case when approaching an election that they need support for.

Question 6

Responding to Consultations - aren’t influential

Example

Answer 6

For example, in 2017 the UK Government consulted on letting disabled people vote electronically, then took a year to respond by rejecting the idea despite the Royal Society for the Blind supporting it.

Question 7

Responding to consultations - aren’t influential

Analysis

Answer 7

Despite support from a knowledgeable group such as the RNIB, the government was still able to ignore the response and delay the rejection until a time that suited them. Ultimately the government still has the final say and are able to do as they please, if they feel their argument is not knowledgeable or strong enough they can easily disregard the work of the pressure groups.

Question 8

Responding to consultations

Link back

Answer 8

In theory responding to consultations should allow space to influence the government as they are working to become more aware of the issue and propose factual statements to convince a change however if the government does not feel they put forward their views in a convincing way they are easily able to be ignored.

Question 9

Setting up and signing petitions

Describe

Answer 9

They will often start petitions to prove their support for a cause of issue which they believe needs to be changed. The more signatures that are gathered then the more support that is shown to the government for the selected cause. The signatures can often reflect the public’s opinion and the sheer volume of citizens that back the cause. This will also inevitably help the government to attain the support in further elections as large majorities’ views are being taken into account.

Question 10

Setting up and signing petitions

Example

Answer 10

For example, in 2019 the UK Government supported the introduction of Finns Law after the Finns Law group set up a petition that received over 130,000 signatures. This law gave greater protection to police dogs and horses after the police dog Finn was stabbed.

Question 11

Setting up and signing petitions

Analysis

Answer 11

This suggests that petitions can be immensely influential as they are able to change laws with the power of the majority. They can be shared quickly across social media platforms to raise awareness and get attention, which especially highlights the Government’s response to the petition.

Question 12

Setting up and signing petitions - aren’t influential

Describe

Answer 12

The government may choose to ignore or reject the petition as it does not affect them. Some of these petitions don’t actually receive enough signatures to gain any kind of attention from the media or the Government. They are also open to anyone to create so it can be a big challenge to raise awareness on one single pattern.

Question 13

Setting up and signing petitions - aren’t influential

Example

Answer 13

For example, the Time for Inclusive Education pressure group first tried to use a petition to change the law to change Scottish education at the start of their campaign but this was rejected by the government and others.

Question 14

Setting up and signing petitions - aren’t influential

Analysis

Answer 14

Essentially petitions are easy to ignore, as they are not overbearing and in your face they are put aside and dismissed due to possibly insufficient evidence to prove their point to the government. This is shown as later on in their campaign Time for Inclusive Education, were successful in their fight to change Scottish education therefore proving that petitions were not a successful method for them.

Question 15

Setting up and signing petitions

Link back

Answer 15

Although petitions may work for some if they are able to attain a sufficient amount of signatures to prove to the government that there is enough evidence that a change is required, it is not effective for all as in many cases petitions can and will be ignored by the government.

Question 16

Lobbying

Describe

Answer 16

Lobbying allows for a face to face with a member of parliament to attempt to entice the government into supporting the pressure groups cause and the change they are fighting for. Lobbying can allow space for negotiations with MP’s in addition to a final compromise which benefits and pleases both opposing sides. It is also increasingly difficult to not respond to someone in a face to face situation which can be useful.

Question 17

Lobbying

Example

Answer 17

For example, in 2021 Scotland will become the first country in the world to have a LGBT inclusive education system because the TIE pressure group lobbied enough MSPs and Government Ministers eventually gaining their support.

Question 18

Lobbying

Analysis

Answer 18

The fact that ultimately the government has made such a globally historic commitment suggests that the lobbying of ministers can be one of the most effective methods to influence the decisions of the government and bring about change

Question 19

Lobbying - isn’t influential

Describe

Answer 19

This can be because it is much easier to lobby ministers if they are sympathetic to the change that the pressure group is asking for. If the issue is one that the government is against it can be very hard to get access to the members of government directly as their diaries are protected and often there is security, meaning it is difficult to convince members of the government to support the cause.

Question 20

Lobbying - isn’t influential

Example

Answer 20

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament pressure group has been lobbying MPs in parliament for over 40 years but the UK government has remained committed to having nuclear weapons no matter what party is in power.

Question 21

Lobbying - isn’t influential

Analysis

Answer 21

To have spent decades trying to influence the government with little to no success reveals that the effectiveness of pressure groups lobbying the government depends on the issue of the pressure group and whether or not the government supports it. Sometimes the government is adamant that they will not change their stance and as a result pressure groups can campaign for years without ever being able to influence the government’s decision in the slightest.

Question 22

Lobbying

Link back

Answer 22

Therefore, pressure groups are the most effective method citizens can use to influence the government’s decisions as they allow for a group of people to join together and use their collective passion to influence members of the government by having meetings with them where it is possible to convince the government to make world leading changes which would be difficult for citizens to do if they were no part of a pressure group, however the method does not work for everyone single pressure groups which demonstrates some of the limitations of pressure groups when influencing the decisions of the governments, meaning that joining a pressure group is not always initially effective.

Question 23

Conclusion