1. Democracy and Participation 1.3 Pressure Groups Flashcards
(33 cards)
PRESSURE GROUPS
What is a pressure group?
a group seeking to influence policy outside of the government
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 2 points about sectional pressure groups?
groups attempting to represent the interest of a particular section of the population only
tend to be exclusive and restricted to certain professions for example
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 4 points about promotional pressure groups?
open membership
tend to be less exclusive
accept all who support their goals
sometimes for numerous than sectionals
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 3 causes that promotional pressure groups may want to advance?
- protection of others
- change attitudes
- improve political system
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are insider pressure groups? How are they regarded? What do they enjoy as a result?
groups who enjoy formal recognition by those in authority
legitimate, credible, useful
enjoy regular, more privileged, access to the government
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 3 examples of insider groups?
CBI (Confederation of British Industry)
IoD (Institute of Directors)
BCC (British Chamber of Commerce)
PRESSURE GROUPS
What is the most obvious example of a insider PG? Why?
National Farmers Union
the government must (by law) consult with every relevant policy
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are outsider PGs?
have none of the advantages of the insider groups
lack formal recognition by those in authority
PRESSURE GROUPS
Why are 4 reasons some PGs be classed as an ‘outsider’ PG by the gov?
does not have the skills of knowledge valued by gov
aims/ideology are not seen as ‘mainstream’
may be at odds with gov policy
PG may decide that links with gov may undermine the PG itself
PRESSURE GROUPS
What method will insider groups use more likely? What are some examples of insider PGs?
direct action
ALF (Animal Liberation Front) Earth First Occupy Fathers4justice Plane Stupid
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 2 ways a status of the PG change?
status of group can be different depending on the gov
e.g. Trade Unions are insiders with Labour and not with Cons
it may be an insider at one level of government and not another
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are examples of PGs statuses changing? Who fell out of favour? Who grew in influence?
Conservatives in power in 2010:
who fell out of favour: TUC, NUM, teacher unions, Child Poverty Action Group
who grew in influence: IOD, Conservative Family Campaign
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 5 reasons so many PGs are outsiders?
- do have expertise or info needed by gov
- few sanctions and cannot cause major disruptions
- do not have credibility
- ideologically incompatible
- do not want to become insiders (Occupy)
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 3 methods insider PGs might use to influence policy?
- lobbying MPs/parties/EU/employing a professional lobbyist
- research
- donating money to parties
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 5 methods that outsider groups might used?
- influence/mobilise public opinion by providing information
- writing/sending petitions
- letter writing
- leafleting
PRESSURE GROUPS
How are 5 methods where might PGs use the media, with examples?
- paid advertisements (Plane Stupid cinema advert)
- attracting news coverage for exposure and publicity (fathers4justice superhero costumes, Coutnryside Alliance favourable press)
- research (human rights associations use reports to gain research)
- internet website
- special media advisers for PR
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are 5 more methods popularly used by PGs with examples?
- legal action: going to court (Countryside Alliance challenged the fox-hunting ban in High Court/Court of Appeal)
- publicity stunts (Greenpeace activists board coal ship)
- hold public meetings
- use celebrities (Vivienne Westwood for CND)
- boycott companies (Stop Esso, No Sweat - GAP)
PRESSURE GROUPS
What form of direct action can PGs use with examples?
- demonstrations/protest marches (2003 Stop the War Coalition against Iraq war)
- strike action (RMT and NUT 2011 strikes)
- civil disobedience (Plane Stupid chained themselves on a runway)
- violence (animal rights extremists removed body of Gladys Hammond because she was involved in guinea pig breeding for research)
5.
PRESSURE GROUPS
What 4 factors determine pressure groups preferred type of action?
- whether they are insiders or outsiders
- wealth
- membership (level of radicalism and unity)
- aims (local, regional or international)
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are the 4 relevant factors in whether a PG is successful or not?
- aims (achievable or public support)
- resources (human or material)
- status (insider/outsider or authority/specialism)
- methods (traditional or direct)
CORPORATIONS
How do they undermine democracy?
wealth
- unfair advantage
- can hire lobbyists and make economic contributions
CORPORATIONS
What are 2 examples of corporations undermining democracy?
Starbucks and Vodafone
avoided millions on tax
due to involvement with head of tax at HM Revenue and Customs
Jaguar and Land Rover stated they were against Brexit
- they warned the gov will face unemployment and debt
CORPORATIONS
How do Corporations support democracy?
gov creates policies with the benefit of the majority in mind
does not always bend to corporations
CORPORATIONS
What are 2 examples of corporations supporting democracy?
Oct 2016 - British Soft Drinks Association approached Business Secretary Greg Clark
it expressed its opposition against sugar tax
the gov persisted with its policies
Uber heavily lobbied the gov to say that have made the wrong decision to ban them
they are still banned
