Why Do Some Pressure Groups Have More Influence Than Others? Flashcards
Pressure groups and other influences -> Democracy and Participation -> UK Politics
Factors Determining Influence
How does membership size influence a pressure group’s success?
Large memberships provide financial resources and demonstrate significant public support. For example, the RSPCA employs 1,600 staff and mobilises volunteers.
Factors Determining Influence
How does financial capacity contribute to a pressure group’s influence?
Financial capacity allows for extensive publicity campaigns, such as the RSPCA’s full-page newspaper ads.
Factors Determining Influence
What are the limits of size for pressure groups?
Large groups like CND, which had 110,000 members in the 1980s, may still be ignored if the government has majority support.
Factors Determining Influence
How do tactics and leadership impact a pressure group’s success?
Effective leadership through collaborations, alliances, and strategic targeting improves success, as seen with the RSPCA, League Against Cruel Sports, and International Fund for Animal Welfare working together for the 2004 hunting ban.
Factors Determining Influence
Why are access points important for pressure groups?
Knowing where to apply pressure, including leveraging EU policies, is key. For example, Friends of the Earth campaigned for cleaner beaches through EU regulations
Factors Determining Influence
How does public support affect pressure group influence?
Public opinion alignment boosts success, as shown by the Snowdrop Campaign after the Dunblane massacre. Celebrity advocacy, such as Joanna Lumley’s role in the Gurkha campaign, and media coverage also amplify impact.
Factors Determining Influence
How can extreme tactics affect a pressure group’s influence?
Extreme or alienating tactics can backfire and harm public support.
Measuring Success
How do government attitudes shape the success of pressure groups?
Insider access to ministers and civil servants is crucial. For example, the NFU’s links to Defra influenced the badger cull. Groups that share agendas with the government are more likely to succeed.
Measuring Success
How does success vary among pressure groups?
Success varies; some groups aim to raise awareness (e.g., Occupy London focused on inequality but lacked tangible outcomes), while others seek policy changes.
Why is it harder to measure the success of insider groups?
Insider groups often avoid publicizing their achievements to maintain government trust.
Case Studies
What factors contributed to the BMA’s success in achieving the 2015 smoking ban in cars with children present?
- Credibility: Professional status provided scientific legitimacy.
- Tactics: Focused on attainable goals, not a total car ban.
- Collaboration: Worked with Asthma UK and parliamentary allies.
- Public Support: Benefited from widespread support for protecting children.
- Outcome: Demonstrated patience, resourcefulness, and adaptability.
Case Studies
What were the strengths and weaknesses of Occupy London (2011)?
- Strengths: Drew attention to corporate greed and inequality during austerity.
- Weaknesses: Broad, incoherent goals and lack of practical objectives.
- Short-Term Impact: Highlighted systemic issues but failed to influence policy.
- Structural Limitations: Reliance on social media didn’t translate into sustainable organization
What are insider groups, and can you give an example?
Insider groups have access to decision-makers. An example is the NFU.
What are outsider groups, and can you give an example?
Outsider groups lack government access and often use public campaigns. An example is Greenpeace.
What are sectional groups, and can you give an example?
Sectional groups represent specific demographics. An example is the BMA, which represents doctors.
