Pressure Groups and Resources Flashcards
What are the 6 political resources that pressure groups need?
- Membership
- Staffing
- Funding
- Esteem
- Public support
- Alliances
Who are successful organisations led by?
creative, charismatic and energetic leaders who are supported by an efficient staff
What is an example of a pressure group with little public appeal?
NACRO which represents drug addicts
Why is funding important for pressure groups?
money helps to organise internally and exercise influence externally
What is an example of 2 pressure groups which formed an alliance and why?
In opposing identity cards, libertarian campaigners cooperated with activists from groups representing asylum seekers and immigrants who feared that they would be victims of endless requests to prove they have a right to be in Britain
What pressure group was actively involved in drafting legislation as well-informed group on the Homelessness Act 2002?
Shelter
Who are Shelter?
They are a national charity that campaigns to end homelessness and bad housing
Who did the BMA, NFU and RSPB command an audience among decision makers?
because of their specialist knowledge
Why is the specialist knowledge of pressure groups helpful for decision makers in Whitehall?
because ministers and officials cannot be familiar with all the technical detail in business, professional and environmental practises
How many members does the BMA have in 2015?
c160,000
Why can the BMA commit substantial amounts of money to influence policy makers or to finance public information campaigns?
due to the given wealth of its members
Why do the members of the BMA command respect from politicians?
due to their high status and standing and the recognition that their work involves the delivery of a vital public service
Who is the BMA’s major publisher?
the British Medical Journal
What happened as a result of GPs feeling that the BMA only represented consultants?
They formed break away group NASGP in 1997
What did Tony Blair say regarding pressure groups, most specifically the the anti-GM campaigners?
‘we should resist the tyranny of pressure groups’
