Pressure groups, think tanks and lobbyists

Question 1

Question

Answer 1

Evaluate the view that pressure groups, think tanks and lobbyists enhance democracy.

Question 2

Factors

Answer 2

• Pressure groups
• Think tanks
• Lobbyists

Question 3

Judgement

Answer 3

They do enhance democracy

Question 4

Weaker argument - pressure groups

Answer 4

→ Direct action can cause disruption - Just Stop Oil; throwing soup at Monet, glueing themselves to roads, throwing paint at sports events.
→ Elitist pressure groups - some pressure groups have more power because they have ‘insider’ status - the RMT have a close connection with Labour and the BBA have a close relationship with the Conservatives.
→ Extremism - some groups it could be argued go too far for their cause and make issues difficult to deal with - Brian Haw - 5 year demonstration against the Iraq war.

Question 5

Stronger argument - pressure groups

Answer 5

→ Influence government policy - ASH has helped inform influence policies against smoking.
→ Encourages the electorate to get involved in democracy - pressure groups are often student groups - Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion both have a large youth membership.
→ They provide representation for portions of the community that may be overlooked - Marcus Rashford and free school meals.
→ Hold governments to account - Legal challenge by the Badger Trust on government Badger culling.

Question 6

Weaker argument - think tanks

Answer 6

→ Funding - many aren’t transparent about where their funding comes from - the IEA, Adam Smith Institute and the Legatum Institute.
→ Focus on their own aim rather than ‘greater good’ - think tanks often focus on issues that will bring them money rather than issues for the benefit of the population of the country/world.
→ Push powerful corporate interests - some big corporate companies pay think tanks to suggest ideas that would be beneficial for their company - e.g. oil and gas companies - Shell, BP.

Question 7

Stronger argument - think tanks

Answer 7

→ Helps to create new policies - the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is cited in 157 policy documents, the Institute for Fiscal Studies is cited in 150 policies.
→ Helps represent different groups - range from far left to far right groups so cover a wide range of views Fabian Society (Far Left) → Adam Smith Institute (Far Right).
→ Policy made by experts - think tanks often include economists, political analysts and former civil servants: e.g. George Osborne now the Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP).

Question 8

Weaker argument - lobbyists

Answer 8

→ Corruption from officials:
- David Cameron lobbied for Greensill despite being outwardly against lobbyist during his stint as PM.
- Blair’s government had exempted Formula One from a new ban on tobacco advertising, Bernie Ecclestone, the head of the sport’s governing body, donated £1m to Labour.
- In 2012, Peter Cruddas, resigned after a newspaper found he had told would-be party donors that a “premier league” sum of more than £200,000 would grant them direct access at social events to the PM and the chancellor, Cameron and Osborne.

Question 9

Stronger argument - lobbyists

Answer 9

→ Provide policy makers with expertise and information - Hanbury Strategy - advised Parliament over Brexit.
→ More representation - lobbyists either lobby on behalf of individuals or companies - they are paid to make officials listen to what they have to say - this increases opportunities for groups to gain contact with government officials -
→ Increases participation - lobbyist allow the public to gain contact with policy makers and therefore increase democracy nationally.