Pressure groups, think tanks Flashcards
What is a pressure group and their aims
- membership based association whose aim is to influence policy without seeking power
- aims = protect minorities and members, influence government without becoming government
what is an insider group and give an example
- groups with direct access to the government and are held as important figures so are often listened to
- NFU, CBI, national trust
what is an outsider group and give an example
- groups that do not have access to the government and have to gain influence in other ways
—> protests, sit ins, petitions, writing to MPs - amnesty, extinction rebellion
what is a sectional group and give an example
- groups which represent a particular minority part of society such as workers or religious groups, they are motivated by self intrest and the interests of their members
- NUT, BMA, CBI
what is a promotional group and give an example
- groups with members who hold a shared value, idea or belief
- they are often charities so membership is open to all
- motivated by moral concerns
-National Trust, RSPB, XR
explain and give an example of PGs lobbying parliament
- lobbyists can be hired
e.g —> councillors, attending party conferences for NFU and CBI
explain and give an example of PGs campaigning publically
- often done by outsider groups
- public demostrations, blocking roads, protests
- rashford—> free school meals
- e-petitions, celebs, civil disobedience
BMA = removal of support for Labour
Animal Liberation Front broke into and released minks from farms
explain and give an example of PGs working with political parties/MPs
- MPs or peers promote interests of a specific group to influence legislature
explain and give an example of PGs using media campaigns
- press, tv or radio to promote concerns
- plain stupid threw custard on Peter Mandleston and got a 10min interview
- XR BB C documentry
explain and give an example of PGs use illegal methods and direct action
- often a last resort, when all else fails
—> gains media attention and popularity - Just stop oil
explain and give an example of PGs use courts
-can take government to court
- liberty took Braverman to court over Rawanda bill and banning protests in public order bill
give 5 reasons why PGs can be successful
- size
- finance
- insider status
- media rep.
- opposition
give 5 pros of PGs
- help disperse power and influence
- educate public
- give more opps to participate in politics w/out having to sacrifice lots of time
- promote and protect minority interests
- call gov. to account by publishing effects of policy —> XR
give 5 cons of PGs
- can be elitist —> NFU + CBI
- some may distort information to their own needs—> push an agenda
- internally undemocratic PGs may not reflect views of their members —> RMT voting
- wealthier groups such as the CBI often have more influence than others
- civil disobedience
What are think tanks and give an example of one
- focuse on policy and have an agenda
- linked to a party often
- body of experts bought together to focus on a specific topic and offer solutions to social, economic or political groups
- fabian society —> left wing
