Pressure Groups Examples Flashcards
Examples of sectional groups and causal group
Sectional groups
BMA and RMT
Causal groups
RSPCA
Example of a petition that worked
Example of march that failed
The Anti Abortion Organisation Life - 2 million names led to the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act
Marched to stop the Iraq war in 2003 failed, despite one million being involved
Example of a group who used their insider status
Howard League for penal reform in 2014 ended the ban on prisoners receiving books from friends and family
Example of a pressure group who used their wealth
Pressure groups are more successful if they campaign for their cause with money
The British Bankers Association paid lobbyists to persuade ministers to put corporation tax in 2012
Examples of a strike that was successful
In 2012 the RMT threatened to strike during the olympics and they lobbied politicians
They gained a £850 bonus for all workers and a £1,000 bonus for drivers
Example of a pressure group that used their expertise
In 2016 the AA provided evidence and statistics to persuade the government to increase the penalties for using a mobile whilst driving
Example of a pressure group that used celebrity endorsement
In 2009 Joanna Lumley and the Gurkha justice and the Gurkha Justice campaign secured equal rights for British and commonwealth soldiers
Examples of why pressure groups fail
If it contradicts the government - the BMA campaigns largely failed as the 2015 conservative government was determined to introduce new policies for a 7 day NHS
If the government can resist pressure - the 2003 stop the war rallied to stop Iraq invasion but failed due to Blair’s majority
Countervailing forces - Forest (pro-smoking group) failed to stop smoking restrictions because it lost out to ASH who campaigned for the bans
Example of why the UK is pluralist
Pressure groups compete openly for example Forest conflicts with ASH and the countryside alliance conflicted with anti-hunting groups
Pressure groups use democracy to enhance pluralism (the website 38 degrees promotes pressure groups).
Examples of why the UK is not pluralist
Hostile public opinion can resist pressure group influence. He pressure group republic operates where 80% of people favour the monarchy
Examples of pressure groups enhancing democracy
Some groups are clearly engaged in intense eternal debate.
The RSPCA are internally democratic and this increases participation
Examples of pressure groups undermining democracy
Green peace are a hierarchical organisation that allows little democratic control over the direction of campaigns
This means a small group of people has control over the organisation both at the international level and within national chapters
Examples of think tanks
Adam Smith institute
This was favours by Thatcher and focused on the introduction of free market policies
Bow Group
This was a conservative think tank created in 1951 to counter socialism
