Pressure groups essay plan Flashcards
Intro:
What are pressure groups:
Example
Arguments for
Arguments against
Your opinion
Paragraph one:
P: Insider pressure groups are much more influential in persuading political opinion. (what is an insider pressure group)
E: For example, Stonewall in 1997 a group that advocates for LGBTQ rights was an insider group that help shaped political opinion for example in 2000 it helped lift a ban on homosexuality in the army, their success also includes LGBTQ teaching in schools, protection from discrimination at work and much more
E: This shows the key role pressure groups have in influencing political opinions. This is needed as this promotes pluralist democracy which is essential in the developmental approach in democracy. This ensures that all voices are heard
CP: Insider groups are exceptions, outsider groups (define what are outsider groups) do not possess this same influence.
P: For example insulate Britain have held large scale protests and demonstration that have not largely influenced political opinion in a good way. It has done this in a negative way. In fact this has done the opposite, the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill have in fact made it harder for protesters as it strengthens the police’s power to tackle disruptive protests by increasing the sentences for obstructing a highway (commonly done by Insulate) and now conditions can be set on the noise made by protests
Paragraph two:
P: Pressure groups can enhance democracy as they increase political engagement both sectional and casual meaning that there are a wide range of groups that people can identify with
E: there are more members with RSPB (royal society protection of birds) 1.2 million members than both the conservative party who in 2022 had 172,000 members and the labour party 432,000
E: This may in turn lead to increases in self education as people aim to be politically aware. This can improve political engagement which has the potential to increase voter turnout as people are likely to align themselves with a party that can support the interest of a pressure group.
CP: However it could be argued that pressure groups actually undermine democracy as they encourage forms of democracy that undermine democracy.
E:civil disobedience” stunts which hit the news headlines e.g. the UK Cannabis Campaign’s Hyde Park “smoke out” in 2013, or Plane Stupid’s campaign to prevent a 3rd runway at Heathrow in which 13 campaigners shackled themselves together on the north runway in July 2015, or New Fathers 4 Justice members climbing respected buildings dressed as superheroes.
E: arguably undermine democracy as individuals broke the law which has passed by representatives in the commons
Paragraph three:
P Pressure groups force governments to remain accountable in-between elections and ensure they remain responsive
E:As a result of the Fixed Term Parliament Act, general elections are held every 5 years. Without pressure groups constantly scrutinising government action and holding them to account, governments may become lazy and complacent
E: For instance, many pressure groups campaigned against the abolition of the
10p rate of tax under Gordon Brown. This can also be beneficial for governments as they can use pressure groups as a gauge of public opinion, and thus maintain greater stability in the long run.
Think tanks
P: in 2022 Liz Truss had important links with neo liberal think tank of institute of economic affairs according to the head of IA - Liz has spoken to more of its events than any other politician in the last 12 years
E: Truss senior special advisor Ruth Porter was head of government affairs at the Adam smith institute
E: shows they are influential in shaping political opinion and can thus directly influence legislation
CP:Think-tanks simply present arguments for certain policies/ legislation, but are removed from the actual legislativec process.
Thus they lack the necessary route to government, and only have little impact over government decisions.
Discuss Lobbyist influence:
- 2011: Greensill scandal: Cameron lobbied Rishi Sunak via text on behalf of Greensill who paid him 10 million over the course of two and a half years of part time work - he was accused of exploiting contacts for his own benefit
- Owen Patterson left the commons in 2021 after being accused of breaking lobbying rules
- Bernie Eccelstone £1 donation to the labour party
