1.3 pressure groups and other influences

Question 1

what are the functions of pressure groups?

Answer 1

• represent
• protect
• promote
• hold government accountable
• inform and influence government policy
• method of participation in politics

Question 2

what are the similarities between political parties and pressure groups?

Answer 2

• both are membership based
• a desire to influence government

Question 3

how are political parties and pressure groups different?

Answer 3

pressure groups do not wish to exercise power

Question 4

what are single-issue parties?

Answer 4

only represent one issue

Question 5

what are the 2 types of pressure groups?

Answer 5

casual
sectional

Question 6

what are casual pressure groups?

Answer 6

-causal groups seek to promote a particular cause, to convert the ideas behind the cause into government action or parliamentary legislation
-they are altruistic, they serve the community, not just their memebers and supporters
-they focus on mobilising public opinion and putting pressure on government in that way
-they often use direct action
-they seek widespread support

Question 7

Give an an example of a causal pressure group?

Answer 7

-Green peace
-friends of the earth
-liberty
-unlock democracy
-PETA

Question 8

What is a sectional pressure group?

Answer 8

-sectional groups are self-interested, in that they hope to persue the interest’s specifically of their own membership or those whom they represent
-they are largely self interested in that they serve the interests of their own members and supporters
-although they seek public support, they tend to seek direct links with decision makers
-usually have a formal membership

Question 9

What are some examples of sectional pressure groups?

Answer 9

-age UK
-British medical society
-Muslim council of Britain
-taxpayers allowance

Question 10

What are the features of insider pressure groups?

Answer 10

-seem to become involved in the early stages of policy and law making
-they often are consulted by decion makers and sometimes offer expert advice
-some employ professional lobbyists whose job is to gain access to decision makers and high quality presentations of their case
-they may find themselves represented within a special committee and so have an especially privileged position. E, a memeber of the national farmers union advising government on these committees
-may be called to testify before parliamentary committees both select and legislative

Question 11

What are the features of an outside pressure group?

Answer 11

-typical methods include public campaigning and using new media to reach large parts of population
-they seek to influence (not through direct lobbying) but by showing public interest is on their side
-they do not need to follow standards that the government will find acceptable so have greater choice in the methods they use e.g civil disobedience
-they are usually, promotional groups. Sectional groups with identifiable membership and support groups are a useful ally in policy making

Question 12

What methods are used by pressure groups?

Answer 12

-media campaigns can be important to publicise concerns e.g Tv, press or radios
-lobbying is an activity commonly used by pressure groups to promote causes and interests e.g BLM
-some groups have restored to illegal methods often as a last resort e.greenpeace destroying GM crops to public’s the dangers
-access points when pressure groups use access points of where they are listen to e.g sit on policy committees
-some groups fake personal support from a memeber of parliament
-to make financial grants to political parties as a means of finding favour e. Trade unions funding the Labour Party
-groups may resort to direct action such as public demonstrations or strikes that are organised to cause mass disruption e.g public demonstration for Sarah evergreen
-on some occasions pressure groups can persue an issue through the courts by requesting a judicial review if it feels government has acted contradictory to the law
-public campaigning tends to mobilise public demonstrations of supirt to convince the government to listen to them e.g Marcus rashford and free school meals

Question 13

What factors influence the success of pressure groups

Answer 13

-size of membership: the more supporters a group has, the more pressure it can place on decision makers
-finance: wealthy groups can afford expensive campaigns, employ lobbyists, sponsor political parties and purchase favourable publicity
-the attitude of government: groups are far more likely to achieve success if the government of the day is sympathetic to their cause/position
-the strategic position of a particular sectional group: a group that is seen as important to the economy or a key service can put greater pressure on the government, companies and individuals, e.g NHS workers
-public mood: the combination of public sentiment and strong campaigning can be successful in bringing an issue to the attention of decisions makers as politicians will be more likely to support the case

Question 14

What are lobbyists?

Answer 14

-lobbying is the act of trying to persuade those in power to follow a particular course of action
- lobbyists are distinct organisations or individuals that sell expert knowledge of the political process to those who can afford to hire them.
- At a basic level lobbyists can give a ‘map’ or blueprint to clients to give them advice to follow
-at a more advanced level lobbyists will arrange events for their clients to have an opportunity to meet those in power

Question 15

What are some examples of lobbyists

Answer 15

• the Cicero group
• Adam smith
• PLMR

Question 16

What are think tanks

Answer 16

• they are considered public policy research organisations. Their main role is to carry out research and develop policy ideas that can be developed by political parties and governments
• think tanks are usually founded to research and develop ideas in specific areas, such as education, healthcare, social justcice or economy matters

Question 17

Why are think tanks advantageous?

Answer 17

It means policies can be developed away from public scrutiny, it also saves the party time and recourses as it ‘delegates’ research

Question 18

Give an example of a neutral think tank?

Answer 18

-Chatham house
-demos

Question 19

Give an example of a left wing think tank?

Answer 19

-Fabian society

Question 20

Give an example of a liberal think tank?

Answer 20

The centre for reform

Question 21

How are corporations part of democracy?

Answer 21

• large corporations such as google and Starbucks are so big and influential that they qualify as a kind of sectional group in their own right
• they resist proposed legislation that might hinder their operations and seek to emphasise the positive role they play in the national economy
  As they employ high numbers of people and account for a large proportion of economic activity, they have a strategically important place in the economy

Question 22

Give an example of the success of these corporations in lobbying

Answer 22

-One example is successful resistance to calls for such companies to pay more in the UK taxes on their profits
-In a similar way the confectionary industry has resisted and toned down attempts by the government to reduce sugar contents of its products in an anti obesity drive

Question 23

Give a case study of 2 pressure groups

Answer 23

-ASH
-the RMT union

Question 24

What are the objectives of ASH

Answer 24

Its objectives include the spreading of knowledge about the harmful effects of tobacco use and pressing governments to adopt policies and laws to reduce tobacco use

Question 25

What methods do ASH use?

Answer 25

ASH conducts research and publicises existing research into the effects of tobaccco. It shares this with governments and the public. For example it has sponsored research into the effects of passive smoking and on the effects of e-cigarette. It is largely an insider group, concentrating on lobbying lawmakers and governments

Question 26

What successes did ASH have

Answer 26

-restrictions on advertising tobacco products and tobacco sponsorship
-health warnings on cigarette packs
-persuading government to increase tax on tobacco to deter consumers
-restricting point of sale advertising and promotion
-campaigning for the law banning smoking in public places

Question 27

What failures did ASH face

Answer 27

ASH would like to go further on smoking bans and is now concerned that e-cigarettes may be harmful. As yet it has not succeeded in changing government policy in these areas.

Question 28

Why is ASH successful

Answer 28

It helps government to make policy by providing evidence and information. It acts responsibly and has built up a network of supporters within government and parliament

Question 29

What are the objectives of the RMT union

Answer 29

Its objectives include the promotion of better pay and conditions for its members, including shorter hours and safer working environments

Question 30

What methods does RMT use

Answer 30

The RMT negotiates contracts with major transport companies, including transport for London, negotiating on behalf of its members for better terms and safety. It lobbies governments for free legislative protections and the safety of its workers. It also organises and conducts strikes to pressure employers to meet its demands, which can be effective due to the dominance of the RMT in key sectors such as tube drivers in london

Question 31

What successes have RMT had?

Answer 31

-in 2016 the RMT secured a £500 consolidation payment to all operational staff following the introduction of the Night Tube service
-the RMT has helped members bring legal cases following injury and wrongful termination, including a £55,000 payment to a member who lost the tip of his finger in an industrial accident
-securing bonus payments for workers during the 2012 olympics
-improving safety standards on offshore oil platforms, as well as trains and ferriera
-creating a credit union to help members with their finances

Question 32

What failures have the RMT union faced?

Answer 32

Despite long running campaigns against the closure of many ticket offices on the Tube network, the offices have been closed. The government remains committed to removing guards from trains, which the RMT has opposed on the grounds of safety. In addition, not all its campaigns for higher wages and better conditions meet with similar levels of success

Question 33

Why is the RMT union successful

Answer 33

The RMT is the main union representing workers on the London Underground, meaning it represents workers in a strategically important transport network. Strikes can have a direct impact on the economy as wel as possibly embarrassing the government of the day