theme 1 - democracy and participation Flashcards
What is a pressure group?
A group of people united by the same beliefs / goals for a specific outcome
What is an inside pressure group?
A pressure group that operates inside the Government and influences their decisions
How do inside pressure groups successfully influence Government policy?
Pressure groups with inside status can use their expertise to influence government policy. The BMA is made up 170,000 doctors, and campaign for issues they have expertise on. The BMA awards £500,000 a year to 10 different projects, which are grants for research in a specific field. This gives the BMA more legitimacy in their conclusions as they have the evidence to back it up.
For example, the BMA campaigned against smoking with children in the car. They conducted their own research, finding out a child in a car will be exposed to 11 times more toxins than they would be in a room. This campaign was passed into law in 2015 – imposing a £50 on those caught, despite David Cameron initially being reluctant on “dictating what people do in a car”.
Why are inside pressure groups not guaranteed to be successful at influencing Government decisions?
A pressure groups insider status depends on the sitting government at the time. If a pressure group’s aims do not align with the new government, they will no longer consult them. For example, Trade unions were consulted often during James Callaghan’s time in office. In the 1970s 50% of all workers were a part of a trade union, which gave them great powers. Under James Callaghan, firefighters got a 10% wage increase, etc. However, as Trade Unions wants didn’t align with the new conservative government under thatcher and her goal of free market / privatization, they were hardly ever consulted again, and she instead imposed new measures to make sure their power to influence her government was restricted- like getting rid of sympathy strikes.
Not only this, but just because an inside pressure group can voice their concerns to the government directly, this doesn’t mean they will always take on board what they have to say. For example, the BMA got involved in junior doctor strikes in 2016 over their contracts, this issue was not resolved by the government – instead it was taken to high court in the same year, where the contracts were deemed lawful. This shows how the government only acts cooperatively when it is in their best interest. They will take on the BMAs scientific advice as this is knowledge, they do not have themselves, however they will not take on their advice over matters that go against their own call of judgement – like public sector wages/contracts.
What is an outside pressure group?
An outside pressure group is one that operates outside of the Government and hopes to influence their policies through alternative means - like public stunts to draw attention.
How are pressure groups successful at influencing Government policies / decisions?
Outside pressure groups that have enough public support, and their aims don’t completely eradicate the governments aims, will be taken seriously, just like insider pressure groups. For example, Greenpeace is an outside pressure group. Yet due to their large membership (2.8 million globally) and due to the extensive research they carry out, they’re usually listened to. This has meant many of their campaigns have passed into law.
For example, in 2018, Greenpeace successfully campaigned against plastic microbeads – these are small beads found in face scrubs and toothpastes. Greenpeace campaigned for this as it stopped getting plastic in the food chain.
For example, the government permitted the slaughter of seals in Scotland as it interfered with fishing practices. Greenpeace sent out a ship to trail the seal hunters’ vessels, which prevented the start of the cull. It was then made illegal in 2020 to shoot a seal.
For example, Greenpeace campaigned against harmful fishing practices, including bottom trawling – which is where a heavy net is dragged across the seabed in attempt to catch fish. Greenpeace dropped concrete blocks onto doggers bank” (an overfished area) to prevent such invasive fishing practices. The Government has stated it is banned in two protected areas and will be completely banned by 2030.
Why are outside pressure groups mainly unsuccessful?
Outside pressure groups usually use methods of protest that the government does not want to be associated with. For example, insulate Britain. Although their call for better housing is well supported (campaign to insulate housing in the Uk) their methods have turned the public against them and as a result also the government. Some of their methods include gluing their hands onto the roads or completely blocking motorways.
^Rather than the government listening to their wants, they have instead introduced emergency legislation to prevent further protests for example the public order Act 2023 gave the police the write to arrest more protestors and made it illegal to chain yourself to anywhere. The emergency law also meant 9 protestors in Kent served a prison sentence for breaking the law.
^Videos emerged on social media of drivers missing medical appointments due to the protests, or of parents shouting that they’ve got to get their kids to school on time.
Extinction rebellion has also received a lot of bad press due to their hypocrisy. Videos emerged again on social media of campaigners littering in pret after finishing a campaign on pollution in London. This received alot of bad attention from the public, and thus the Gov would not want to be associated with them.
How are think tanks successful at influencing Government policy?
Think tanks are public policy researchers who aim to influence government decisions. Many think tanks have been successful in influencing government decisions as they have legitimacy due to the extensive research, they can carry out the government doesn’t have time for.
For example, the IEA (institute for economic affairs) was the think tank that came up with Liz Truss’ mini budget.
Another example would be how the think tank progress endorsed candidates for the labour national executive committee – the committee who decide what stays on the labour constitution.
Equally, think tanks seem to have their own “revolving door” when it comes to the exchange between think tank researchers and politicians. For example, Ian Duncan Smith was the founder of the centre for social justice think tank, and later became the leader of the party. Equally, Zac Goldsmith used to work for an environmental think tank before joining government under Cameron. This illustrates how think tanks will always have inside connections that can fast track their access to government.
How are think tanks unsuccessful at influencing Government policy?
Think tanks are usually identify themselves on the political spectrum. This means parties will consult with those think tanks that align with their agenda. For example, the Adam Smith institute was consulted often during Margaret Thatcher’s time, as she wanted more information on their research in laissez faire findings. They provided recommendations on privatization, tax reforms and how to tackle trade union power. The Adam smith institute was the think tank to propose the controversial poll tax. However due to their strong ties to the conservative government, it should come as no surprise that when the labour government came into power, they had to distance themselves from such think tank. Instead, Labour used well known Centre-left think tanks, like the institute for public policy research. Thus, showing how a think tanks view is reliant on the government’s willingness to cooperate.
What is a lobbyist?
A lobbyist is someone who has been made paid by a private client to influence government policy in the interest of their client.
How do lobbyists influence Government policy / decision?
It is estimated that £2 billion is spent on lobbyists by big firms per year. Many ex-MPs now work for lobbyist firms, using their inside connections to influence decisions easier. This practice of MPs working for lobbyist firms has become known as the “revolving door”.
For example, the “cash for questions” scandal. For example, Neil Hamilton was accused oof accepting £2,000 in return for asking a question in parliament for the owner of Harrods.
Another example is in 2009, two labour peers were suspended for 6 months after stating to an undercover journalist they would help to amend a bill for a fee. They were the first Lords to be suspended in 350 years.
How may lobbyists be restricted at influencing Government policy / decisions?
In recent times however, the undemocratic practice of lobbying has been scrutinized heavily by parliament and the media – leading to the “transparency of lobbying” act in 2014. This stated all lobbyist acts must be registered and recorded. This emphasis behind transparency is also seen in Scotland – The lobbying Act (Scotland) 2016. Scrutiny behind lobbyists is ongoing – the think tank “the Henry Jackson society” proposed an amendment to the lobbying act in the Uk – stating a broader scope of the activities that need to be reported on, and foreign lobbying to be more closely monitored. They also suggested new definitions – like changing “lobbyists” to “lobbying activities” that would cover a lot more organizations than the current amount.
What is an individual right?
liberties owned by every individual. For example: the right to privacy
What is a collective right?
rights that belong to a group of people/society. For example: The right for safety
How have individual rights been prioritized over collective rights in the past?
The right to privacy over the right to freedom of knowledge. Judges have been accused of making their own privacy law due to how they interpret the HRA. In many cases, judges have been seen to prioritise article 8 (right to privacy) over article 10 (right to freedom of expression). For example, Kate Winslets husband was photographed naked a at a party, that was originally posted on a private social media page, yet the Sun got hold of it and wanted to publish it also – stating they would blur out his private parts. The Sun stated it was their right to publish on what the public wanted to know about – due to article 10 (freedom of expression). Yet as it was ruled publishing him naked would add nothing to the public interest other than gossip, and only create distress for himself– Kate’s husband won the case under article 8.
Another example would be how Prince Harry won a phone hacking scandal against the daily mirror – being compensated £140,000 for publishing his private information. The daily mirror claims it was only acting in the interest of the public want for more information – yet this was overruled.
