Pressure Groups Influence Essay

Question 1

Consultations - Point

Answer 1

One way pressure groups can influence government is by responding to consultations

Question 2

Consultations - Explain

Answer 2

Gov often seeks views of organisations who have expertise on changes it proposes

Response it receives influences choices gov makes especially if response indicates an issue is controversial

Question 3

Consultations - Example

Answer 3

Scottish gov consulted on tougher penalties for those who harm wildlife

Law Society, insider pressure group, responded with expertise & proposal became law in 2020

Question 4

Consultations - Rebuttal Point

Answer 4

Pressure group views could have no influence over decision making

Question 5

Consultations - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 5

Just because gov issues consultation doesn’t mean they’ll act on responses

Gov may consult to make it look like they’re taking pressure group views into account when they’ve already made up their minds

Question 6

Consultations - Rebuttal Example

Answer 6

UK gov consulted on letting disabled people vote electronically before taking a year to respond by rejecting idea despite Royal National Institute for the Blind supporting it

Question 7

Consultations - Conclusion

Answer 7

Effective to a certain extent as government is likely to listen to experts however they are easy to ignore

Question 8

Petitions - Point

Answer 8

Another way pressure groups can influence government is by making petitions

Question 9

Petitions - Explain

Answer 9

Often started by groups to demand action

More signatures, more influence as gov may worry about upsetting future voters

Question 10

Petitions - Example

Answer 10

In 2019 UK gov supported introduction of Finns Law after Finns Law Group set up petition that received over 130,000

Question 11

Petitions - Rebuttal Point

Answer 11

Not all petitions are influential

Question 12

Petitions - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 12

Gov may decide signatories will never support party so choose to ignore petitions

Petitions are statements leaving gov little choice but to accept or reject

Question 13

Petitions - Rebuttal Example

Answer 13

Time for Inclusive education pressure group tried to use petition to change laws of Scottish education but this was rejected by gov

Question 14

Petitions - Conclusion

Answer 14

Effective to certain extent

If gains much support, gov may consider as they don’t want to upset potential voters however may not think many signatories will support them & therefore will reject it

Question 15

Lobbying - Point

Answer 15

Another way by lobbying government to gain support

Question 16

Lobbying - Explain

Answer 16

Meeting directly with members of gov to try persuade them to support group

Discussions allow for negotiations, compromises & a potential way forward to please both sides

Question 17

Lobbying - Example

Answer 17

2021 Scotland first country to have LGBT inclusive education system as TIE lobbied enough MSPs to gain their support

Question 18

Lobbying - Analysis

Answer 18

Working with instead of against gov makes them more willing to take action

Question 19

Lobbying - Rebuttal Point

Answer 19

Not all groups have success

Question 20

Lobbying - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 20

Has more to do with change they want & how willing gov may be to do it

If gov is against issue, hard to get access to members of gov as their diaries are protected

Question 21

Lobbying - Rebuttal Example

Answer 21

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament lobbying MPs for over 40 years yet UK gov committed to having nuclear weapons

Question 22

Lobbying - Conclusion

Answer 22

Most effective as it allows for the gov to come to a potential agreement

Question 23

Overall Conclusion

Answer 23

Consultations & petitions quite important as they gain attention but they can be ignored lobbying most important