Why Are Some Pressure Groups More Successful Than Others? Flashcards
How might having realistic aims make a pressure group successful?
- Government can satisfy their needs quickly and with minimal funds
- If the group’s aims are large and controversial, the government would be less inclined to help them to avoid controversy on their own part i.e. Occupy London campaign on an anti capitalist platform which is unlikely to gain traction with the government.
What is an example of a pressure group that was successful partially because of its realistic aims?
Justice for Gurkhas wanted settlement rights for only around 10,000 Gurkhas at a relatively low cost so government had little reason not to do it apart from the fact it was low down on their list of priorities.
How can having realistic aims actually be a hinderance to a pressure group?
The group’s aims may be so obscure that the government feel that there is no real mandate for it. For example, the Justice for Gurkhas campaign arguably only picked up once Joanna Lumley got involved as before then it was low down on everyone’s priorities.
How can having a large membership help a pressure group?
+ Collect funds
+ Attract media attention by easily mobilising members
+ Can claim to represent a large proportion of the voting public
Examples of pressure groups whose large membership helped them?
+ The RSPB has the largest membership in the UK and used its weight to stop wind turbines being built in key flight paths
+ The Snowdrop campaign used the shock of the Dunblane massacre to ban firearms
Argument against membership size relating to pressure success
Elitists would argue there is no correlation as the government listens to pressure groups it sides with anyway. For example, the TUC has a large membership but has little influence on a conservative government.
A large membership may be a chequebook membership, meaning its hard to call them into action like the RSPB.
Argument in favour of wealth helping a pressure group
+ Incentivise the government by making donations
+ Large marketing campaigns
+ Superior resources to poorer groups
Example of pressure group that uses wealth to its advantage
The CBI represents a majority of banks in the country so has a considerable level of influence.
Argument against wealth having an impact on pressure group success
Government may act on its own initiative and not be swayed by money
Example of a pressure group whose wealth did not help them
The Countryside Landowners Association campaigned against the ban on fox hunting but the Labour government refused to listen to them
How could having insider status help a pressure group?
+ Easily and readily liaise with the government
+ Regularly approached on policies that could affect their membership
+ Much easier to influence politicians and policy
Examples of pressure groups whose insider status has helped them
+ NSPCC is consulted on most policies concerning the welfare of children
+ CBI represent a large part of industry so all parties try to get them on side
Problem with the insider status argument?
Insider groups change with the government meaning many pressure groups are only insiders for as long as the government remains in power. For example, the TUC tends to be much mor influential under Labour.
How can a pressure group’s ability to cause disruption affect its success?
If a pressure group can threaten to strike with significant consequences, the government may yield to avoid this level of disruption.
Example of a pressure group whose ability to cause disruption worked in their favour
In 2015 the BMA got the junior doctors a significant pay rise after they threatened to walk out
