Pressure Groups Influence Essay Flashcards
Consultations - Point
One way pressure groups can influence government is by responding to consultations
Consultations - Explain
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
Consultations - Example
Scottish gov consulted on tougher penalties for those who harm wildlife
Law Society, insider pressure group, responded with expertise & proposal became law in 2020
Consultations - Rebuttal Point
Pressure group views could have no influence over decision making
Consultations - Rebuttal Explain
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
Consultations - Rebuttal Example
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
Consultations - Conclusion
Effective to a certain extent as government is likely to listen to experts however they are easy to ignore
Petitions - Point
Another way pressure groups can influence government is by making petitions
Petitions - Explain
Often started by groups to demand action
More signatures, more influence as gov may worry about upsetting future voters
Petitions - Example
In 2019 UK gov supported introduction of Finns Law after Finns Law Group set up petition that received over 130,000
Petitions - Rebuttal Point
Not all petitions are influential
Petitions - Rebuttal Explain
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
Petitions - Rebuttal Example
Time for Inclusive education pressure group tried to use petition to change laws of Scottish education but this was rejected by gov
Petitions - Conclusion
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
Lobbying - Point
Another way by lobbying government to gain support
Lobbying - Explain
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
Lobbying - Example
2021 Scotland first country to have LGBT inclusive education system as TIE lobbied enough MSPs to gain their support
Lobbying - Analysis
Working with instead of against gov makes them more willing to take action
Lobbying - Rebuttal Point
Not all groups have success
Lobbying - Rebuttal Explain
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
Lobbying - Rebuttal Example
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament lobbying MPs for over 40 years yet UK gov committed to having nuclear weapons
Lobbying - Conclusion
Most effective as it allows for the gov to come to a potential agreement
Overall Conclusion
Consultations & petitions quite important as they gain attention but they can be ignored lobbying most important
