Democracy and Participation: Lobbyists, Pressure Groups, Think Tanks Flashcards
What is pluralist democracy?
Political influence is dispersed among a wide variety of elected and non-elected bodies.
What is a pressure group?
A membership-based association whose aim is to influence policy making without seeking power.
What are some functions of pressure groups? (4)
-To represent interests of certain sections of the community
-To promote certain causes that haven’t been taken up by parties
-To protect the interests of minority groups
-To inform and educate the public on political issues
What is a sectional pressure group?
A pressure group that represents interests of a particular group in society.
What is a proportional pressure group?
They promote a particular issue and members can be anyone across society.
What is a social movement?
Large group of individuals/organisations that focus on social/political issues.
What is an insider pressure group?
Have a close and productive relationship with the gov.
Unlikely to use direct action or break law as this will damage their reputation.
What is an outsider pressure group?
Little or no gov contact and are not consulted on policy change.
How can pressure groups meet their aims?
- Illegal methods to raise awareness, civil disruption
- Make political grants to parties.
- Media campaigns
- celebrity endorsement
- Access points and lobbying
What are access points?
Where pressure groups go to exert influence (Devolved Assemblies)
What is lobbying?
- Attempt of individuals to influence gov.
- Could be through large gatherings in Parliament or council offices.
- Could also mean getting professional organisations to run campaigns for them.
What is hyper pluralism?
rapid growth of interest and campaign groups.
What factors affect the success and failures of pressure groups? (6)
-Size of membership
-Finance
-Public mood
-The strategic position of a particular sectional group
-The attitude of the government
-Organisation
What’s an example where public mood impacted the government’s decision?
38 degrees group
- gained half a million signatures on a petition opposing the proposal to privatise England’s forests
- the gov abandoned the proposal in 2011.
What is a corporation?
Large companies that seek to lobby the gov to encourage them to legislate or not in certain areas.
What is a thinktank?
A body of experts brought together to investigate and offer solutions to economic and social issues.
What is a lobbyist?
Someone who is paid by clients to seek to influence the government/parliament on their behalf.