Think Tanks, Lobbyists And Corporations Flashcards
What are think tanks?
Organisations that develop public policy or lobby decision makers in hope that they will adopt policies in a particular political direction
What are lobbyists?
Professionals employed to persuade decision makers to employ policies in the interests of specific groups
Give 3 examples of think tanks:
- Centre for social justice - aims to develop policy that addresses social justice issues that affect the root causes of poverty
- Adam Smith Institute - promotes free market, Neo-liberal economics to end poverty
- Fabian society - develop left wing policy in affiliation to the Labour Party to gradually reach long term radical goals (Fabianism)
Give one policy developed by each example
CSJ - largely attributed to the creation of universal credit, monthly payments to support low income families with living costs
ASI - influential in privitisation and tax cuts under Margaret thatcher, influenced Eductional Reform Act 1988, creating competition between schools by league tables etc
Fabian Society - Keir Staermer was actually a Fabian society executive, played role in Labour 2024 manifesto, particularly in creation of National Care Service (publically funded social care)
Advantages of think tanks:
Can improve democracy by carrying out public research: think tanks publicise their research as a means to educate the public on issues, meaning they can make their own mind up on policies and therefore use RCT to choose a party.
Can be more objective, non partisan so not bound to parties, focused on ideology, for example ASI admitted that Tony Blair was “right about the third way” and says that they advocated for John Majors policy of giving Bank Of England Independence
Can also make long term policy, they do not need to worry about elections so they can develop policy focused on long term success, not short term policy e.g. Fabian society can work towards its ideological goal independent from labours changes in ideology
Disadvantages of think tanks:
Think tanks are funded by private individuals, develop policy that favours them, e.g. particularly economic focussed think tanks have private corporation donors e.g. ASI admitted that 3% of its donations came from tobacco firms, has been anti-regulation of smoking e.g. it’s paper on how increasing cigarette tax will reduce price of cigarettes
Advantages of lobbyists
Puts forwards groups interests in policies that will affect them, this is good for democracy for example industry bodies such as food and drink federation have lobbyists for things such as food labelling regulations.
Somewhat regulated: Code of conduct for MPs says lobbyists can’t take payment for trying to influence ministers or legislation but can for “advice on public policy and public affairs”, MPs must record advice and ministers must record meetings
Disadvantages of lobbyists:
Exploited by private interests, large corporations can gain control and power over ministers/mps and therefore govt, e.g. Oil lobbyists such as shell and BP lobbied ministers over 340 times in 2023, does this contradict democracy and prevent progress in climate action?
Revolving door, in 2019 1/5 new CON MPs had worked as lobbyists and from 2017-2022 29% of post government roles by ministers were “advisory roles” and in lobbying
85% lobbying goes unreported e.g. Greenshil Scanxel 2021, Cemron met health sec and chancellor for an informal drink, not for public scrutiny
What are advantages and disadvtanegs of companies affecting policy
Substantial role in economy, provide jobs etc, important for democracy and stability of country that their voice is heard
Substantial powers that undermine legitimacy and representation of people
