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UK Government and Politics > Pressure Groups > Flashcards

Pressure Groups Flashcards

1
Q

How did Robert Baggott describe pressure groups?

A

Organisation which seeks to influence the details of public policies and which is not a faction of a recognised political party

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2
Q

How did Wynn Grant describe pressure groups?

A

Public policy representing a set of authoritative decisions taken by the executive and the judiciary, and by local government and the EU

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3
Q

What is the main discriminator between pressure groups and parties?

A

Parties purpose to exercise power - they stand in elections
Pressure groups purpose to influence those who have power - they do not stand in elections.

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4
Q

When did a local pressure group stand in Kidderminster?

A

2001 - campaigning on behalf of the hospital - Richard Taylor won the election

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5
Q

Example of a pressure group who adopts a broad approach to public policy?

A

Greenpeace campaign on a range of environmental issues

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6
Q

What role did RSPCA play in policy?

A

Integral during the “hunting with dogs act” - argued the sport was cruel on the animals

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7
Q

How have the RSPCA played a role in enforcing policy?

A

Hunting with dogs act - been policing the ban to ensure it is enforced

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8
Q

Why was Snowdrop formed?

A

1996 - Dunblane massacre in a school - formed by bereaved parents - wanted to bring a ban on handguns

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9
Q

What was the impact of Snowdrop?

A

1997: partial ban. 1998: full ban.

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10
Q

What do pressure groups do?

A

Lobby the executive and the legislature but now with devolution, they have to lobby all levels of government

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11
Q

Where do pressure groups turn to more?

A

Judiciary through judicial review

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12
Q

Example of a pressure group who uses the courts?

A

Liberty and Countryside Alliance

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13
Q

What is the governing function of pressure groups?

A

Advising the government, civil servants and parties in the formulation of legislation and public policy.

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14
Q

Can government function without pressure groups?

A

No

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15
Q

What do pressure groups provide>

A

Specialist knowledge and advice - many civil servants have little knowledge of the areas of government in which they work

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16
Q

Example of a pressure group with expertise?

A

Road Haulage Association: Explains the consequences of government decisions and what needs to be implemented to combat the issues.

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17
Q

What is the representative function of pressure groups?

A

Representing causes and specific sections of society.

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18
Q

What is the education function of pressure groups?

A

Informing the public (and politicians) about important issues.
Experts in the fields, people journalists go to in order to get their information.

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19
Q

What is the participatory function of pressure groups?

A

Providing an opportunity for democratic participation.

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20
Q

What has happened to pressure group membership in the UK?

A

Increased

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21
Q

What do sectional groups represent?

A

Sectional groups represent their members and campaign in their interests.

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22
Q

What is membership of sectional groups like?

A

Self-limited to members of that particular profession or trade.

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23
Q

Example of sectional groups?

A

National Farmer Union - farmers.
National Education Union - teachers

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24
Q

What do sectional groups do?

A

Protect and promote the interests of their members - advance their sector - functioning to get the best possible outcome

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25
Q

What is the expectation of a union?

A

That they will support you

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26
Q

What are causal groups?

A

Also know as interest, cause, promotional group.
Exist to promote, represent a particular cause - economic, political etc.

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27
Q

What is membership for causal groups like?

A

Open to everyone who is interested in their cause - can be a member of multiple groups

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28
Q

How are causal groups seen?

A

Selfless - they’re not self serving, they’re working for a cause and helping others in society or others in the abstract (environment, landscape etc.)

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29
Q

Example of a Causal group?

A

Fathers4Justice: Pressure group active until the early 2000s. Separated fathers campaigning for access rights. Direct Action to achieve their aim of making a point.

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30
Q

What is a sectional causal group?

A

Aim to protect the interests of a particular section of society.

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31
Q

Examples of sectional causal groups?

A

The Child Poverty Action Group which seeks to combat child poverty.
The Joseph Rowntree foundation fighting on the issue of child poverty. If your household income is below 60% of median earnings after household costs, you are considered poor.
Mencap, campaigning for people with mental illnesses.

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32
Q

What is an attitude causal group?

A

Seek to change the attitudes about a particular issue.

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33
Q

Examples of attitude causal groups?

A

Greenpeace which seeks to change attitudes on the environment.
Stonewall: LGBTQ+ rights.

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34
Q

What is a political causal group?

A

Seek to change the political process or seek constitutional reform

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35
Q

Example of a political causal group?

A

Charter 88

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36
Q

What is the issue of classification of pressure groups?

A

Groups often defy simple classification since they cut across the two categories e.g. trade unions.

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37
Q

What are common misassumptions abut sectional groups?

A

More influential and better resourced than causal groups- this is not always the case.

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38
Q

What is a misassumption about causal and sectional groups?

A

Misassumption that causal groups are “good” whereas sectional groups are “bad”.

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39
Q

Example of pressure group being wrong?

A

Brent spar: Shell (oil company) announced that one of the oil platforms had reached the end of its working life. Proposal to tow it out and sink it 4 miles down. Greenpeace (and others) went insane. Sent people to tie themselves onto the oil rig, stormed Shell headquarters. In the end, Shell backed down, agreeing to decommission on land, even if it would cause more environmental issues than sinking it. Greenpeace came out and admitted that they were wrong.

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40
Q

What is an insider group?

A

Groups that the government regards as legitimate and are consequently given access to the decision making process. They have regular access to ministers and civil servants and might be consulted at the consultation stage of policy.

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41
Q

What is the expectation of insider groups?

A

They play by the rule in return for regular and privileged access

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42
Q

What key question should be asked about insiders?

A

Elitism or pluralism?

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43
Q

What are core insiders?

A

Closest and most regular access to government, no matter who is in power. They may include institutions within the state apparatus and external groups.

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44
Q

Example of a core insider

A

The NFU - cosey relationship with the Tory party - however worked hard with Labour with the foot and mouth disease outbreak

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45
Q

What are specialist insiders?

A

Groups which are regularly consulted for their expert knowledge.

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46
Q

Example of specialist insiders?

A

The AA
RAC - tell ministers the effect of decisions and legislation.

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47
Q

What are peripheral insiders?

A

Groups which are consulted infrequently or which carry little influence.

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48
Q

Example of a peripheral insider?

A

Greenpeace

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49
Q

Why is achieving insider status not difficult?

A

Government will routinely consult hundred of groups on a regular basis

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50
Q

Why does the government consult pressure groups so frequently?

A

Their input is essential to the effective formulation of public policy.

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51
Q

What is good public policy always?

A

Consultative. Those who make laws that should serve the people should be prepared to listen to groups who have knowledge on matters.

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52
Q

Why are governments blinkered?

A

Public policy is seen through a lense of ideology

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53
Q

What have the Tories been dismissive of

A

Trade unions - Labour more favourable

54
Q

What causes issues?

A

Excluding viewpoints not sympathetic to your own

55
Q

What is the best kind of government?

A

The best governments are those who look at a range of view points equally, however very few governments do this.

56
Q

Example of discarding external views?

A

Brexit - disregarded any views that weren’t Brexit enough

57
Q

Who determines a groups status?

A

Determined for them by the political climate and their own reputation and resources

58
Q

What groups campaigned for rights for prisoners?

A

Howard League for Penal Reform - controversial issue, exacerbated by the conservative government - tough crime and punishment wins the Tories votes. Less likely to become insider groups.

59
Q

What is Lobbying?

A

Primary tool of all pressure groups.
Insider groups may have an advantage as they already have regular access to the executive.

60
Q

When is lobbying effective?

A

Policy process - green paper stage

61
Q

Why do pressure groups influence green paper?

A

Politicians are concerned with their reputation, Green Papers are not public and can change, but every stage becomes harder to change the bill - pressure groups can influence here

62
Q

Why is lobbying the legislature important?

A

MPs and Peers votes on legislation, sit on Select committees and Standing Committees, and MPs can introduce private members bills

63
Q

Example of success of lobbying?

A

David Steel (Abortion Reform Bill 1967) - gained government backing. Pressure groups realised that the success of the Bill relied on MPs voting for their Bill. David Steel used his Ballot Bill to present the bill.

64
Q

Another example of successful lobbying?

A

Voyeurism Act: Pressure groups campaigned that upskirting had to be criminalised. Later became law after a presentation Bill failed, and was backed by the government.

65
Q

What are pressure groups trying to influence?

A

Manifesto policies

66
Q

Example of manifesto lobbying?

A

Labour - Trade Unions lobbying to ensure that certain companies are publicised rather than remaining private.

67
Q

What is lobbying a sign of??

A

healthy democracy - government should be responsive to influence from pressure groups

68
Q

What is private lobbying?

A

Bribery and Corruption - conflict of interest - threatening and intimidation

69
Q

What was the Owen Patterson Case in November 2021?

A

Randox paying Patterson £100,000 per year for political gain.

70
Q

What does the relationship between politics and money do?

A

Brings about questions of elitism and legitimacy.

71
Q

What is the difference between the tories and labour?

A

Labour are openly affiliated with trade unions. Conservatives hide it.

72
Q

How do pressure groups use the courts?

A

Judicial review - allows the public to challenge the executive

73
Q

What can JR result in?

A

Policy change

74
Q

What can failed JR attempts do?

A

Generate publicity and put pressure on the government

75
Q

What can research do?

A

Experts in their field so commissioning and publishing research can help to provide evidence to support their case for a change in public policy - help influence public opinion

76
Q

What is likely in terms of research?

A

Will most likely have a partisan angles and will promote things with an agenda.

77
Q

What are the Tufton Street groups?

A

Right wing libertarian groups.

78
Q

Example of Tufton street group

A

Taxpayers Alliance and their Tax Freedom Day campaign

79
Q

What do pressure groups do in hearings?

A

Called upon to give evidence to public consultations and select committees.
Their expertise on injustices (Grenfell fire - Justice for Grenfell).

80
Q

What can pressure groups do in terms of campaignning>

A

Pressure groups may organise publicity campaigns to raise public awareness.
Campaigns may focus on a particular issue, encouraging the public to respond to themselves or they may seek to put pressure on the government.

81
Q

What does effective campaigning require?

A

Careful planning and coordination - can be resource intensive - wealthier groups may have an advantage

82
Q

What is most important about campaigns?

A

Connect with the Public - WWF - no one is going to tell a polar bear no

83
Q

What are the three factors influencing success (Grant)?

A

Domain organisation, resources and external environment

84
Q

How does membership affect success?

A

Success may depend on the socio-economic background of the support base.
Groups with lower average education in groups can lead to groups being less successful - politics is elitist not pluralist with only those highly educated groups being successful for the most part.

85
Q

Why is electoral influence important?

A

Politicians care if people care

86
Q

Why is competition a factor?

A

Does the group have a monopoly in the market or does it have to compete with similar groups? If so, the government may be able to divide and rule e.g. teaching unions.

87
Q

What gives a greater chance of getting listened to?

A

Single voice - more voices = lack of consensus

88
Q

How does financial resources impact success?

A

Common sense suggests that the wealthier the pressure group is, the greater the chance of success. However, this isn’t always the case e.g. the Countryside Alliance.

89
Q

How was the Countryside Alliance an anomaly?

A

Formed to represent people who opposed the ban on hunting. The demographic was (generally) wealthy individuals - ban still passed

90
Q

How does the economic climate impact things?

A

Donations - If more people have disposable income, they are more likely to think beyond themselves and become a member of a pressure group.

91
Q

How do tactics impact a pressure group?

A

The timing and execution of a campaign is crucial. Mistakes may set back a cause.

92
Q

How does public opinion impact a pressure group?

A

If the public can be won over the government will soon follow e.g. the environmental movement only took off when the public woke up to issues like climate change.

93
Q

What is the impact of shared views?

A

If they are generally accepted and shared by the public a pressure group has little scepticism to overcome.
Attitudes change over time: some

94
Q

What means pressure groups have to play the long game?

A

Some causes are ahead of public opinion and may have to play the long game. E.g. Stonewall and homosexuality.

95
Q

What can cause issues?

A

Public indifference

96
Q

What can some groups find themselves doing?

A

Some groups find themselves fighting against social and cultural trends e.g. Lord’s Day Observance Society.

97
Q

What can some tactics do?

A

The use of direct action can risk alienating the public, media and political opinion e.g. Animal Liberation Front.

98
Q

How does size impact pressure groups?

A

Common sense dictates that size matters. Big pressure groups have a large support base and greater financial clout - a big footprint have the weight and presence to influence the policies and politics surrounding their issues. However, not always guaranteed or limiting.

99
Q

What kind of direct action carries public opinion?

A

Direct action that is seen as ethical and bold still carries public opinion with it. Walks a fine line between legitimate and legal direct actions and disruptive and illegal direct action

100
Q

What do pressure groups promote?

A

Activism

101
Q

What do pressure groups protect?

A

Minorities - ensure all views and sections of society are heard

102
Q

What do some groups have?

A

Disproportionate influence - their strategic position in society or the economy gives them extra leverage e.g. transport lobby, carbon lobby.

103
Q

What suggests that pressure groups are elitist?

A

Money - wealthy donors - help secure influence

104
Q

What is not always transparent?

A

Funding of think tanks - Dark Think Tanks - Adam Smith Institute and the Institute for Economic Affairs

105
Q

What can popular pressure groups do?

A

Shout down their opponents of bully the government into getting what they want - the tyranny of the majority.

106
Q

Who enjoyed political support from Brown and Blair?

A

ASH

107
Q

What has happened to access points?

A

Increased “access points” to power has made it harder to connect with the right people in government.

108
Q

What has the impact of BREXIT been?

A

The connections for lobbying are no longer in Brussels for the UK.

109
Q

What is the impact of devolution?

A

More decisions are made away from Westminster in areas like health and education so lobbying has needed to adapt.

110
Q

What are think tanks?

A

Think tanks exist to formulate policy and have a huge influence on modern politics shaping the policies of Thatcherism and New Labour.

111
Q

What do most Think Tanks do?

A

Most aim to influence a particular party where as most seek to influence all parties.

112
Q

What kind of proposals do Think Tanks make?

A

Full range of policy proposals covering every aspect of government.

113
Q

What are Think Tanks like?

A

They are overtly ideological and seek to persuade their affiliated party to follow their agenda.

114
Q

When was the Fabian society founded?

A

1884

115
Q

Which party is most affiliated with the Fabian Society?

A

Most MPs in Labour are a member of the Fabian society.
It is a part of the ecosystem of the Labour party and British socialism.

116
Q

When was the Institute for Public Policy Research crucial?

A

1988 - shaping early Blair and New Labour policies - social justice agenda

117
Q

Another group that worked with Blair in the 1990s?

A

Demos - worked closely with Blair and New Labour in the run-in to the 1997 election, having a particular focus on social policy including health, education, and housing.

118
Q

When was Compass founded?

A

2003

119
Q

What was the vision of Compass?

A

The democratic left and the renewal of socialist values. It was a reaction to New Labour and the direction of public policy taken by Blair, which is often opposed.

120
Q

When was the Institute for Economic Affairs founded?

A

1955

121
Q

What did the IEA campaign for?

A

Campaigned for the free market - influential on the New Right agenda of the 1970s and counted Margaret Thatcher and Keith Joseph as supporters.

122
Q

When was the Adam Smith Institute founded?

A

1981 - helped shape Thatcherism

123
Q

When was Bright Blue founded?

A

Founded in 2010 by Ryan Shorthouse as vehicle for liberal conservatism.

124
Q

What did Bright Blue seek to do?

A

Modernise the Conservatives

125
Q

When was the Centre for Social Justice founded?

A

2004

126
Q

What was the work of the Centre for Social Justice?

A

Group including Iain Duncan Smith and Tim Montgomerie and is largely credited for policies like Universal Credit.

127
Q

When was Policy Exchange founded?

A

2003 - has had arguably the most influential effect on modern conservative policies. Especially in areas such as education and housing.

128
Q

What is the issue with think tanks?

A

The public are not aware of where the funding comes from.

129
Q

Example of a pressure group representing a minority?

A

Muslim Council of Britain.

130
Q

How many members does the National Trust have?

A

4 million - 6 times as many as all the main parties put together

UK Government and Politics (10 decks)

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