Democracy Flashcards
(46 cards)
What is a think tank?
A group established in order to generate ideas, political parties often work closely with affiliates to think tanks to gain policy ideas.
What is a lobbyist?
Lobbyists represent the interests of a particular group or cause and seek to influence politicians in its favour.
What is a corporation?
A business who tries to be closely involved with the decision making process to further their profits.
Give me examples of the impact of lobbyists?
> in 2023 the UK government met with oil and gas lobbyists every single day, this was made apparent after the UK backtracked on its climate change agreement and doubled down on North Sea oil and gas.
Owen peters a former Northern Irish MP lobbyied for a company called randox a global heath company and gained them a massive government contract without the proper tending process at the start of Covid.
How much is spent every year on lobbyists?
£2 billion
How much is estimated the average MP is contacted by lobbyists?
The Hansard society estimated the average MP is contacted 100 times a week by a lobbyist.
What is the revolving door in politics?
The revolving door is the idea that MP’s or special advisors turn into lobbyists once they’re no longer working for the government giving lobbyists easy access into the political sphere.
Give me an example of the revolving door?
Chris Ward former advisor to Keir Starmer worked for Hanbury strategy a lobbying firm with clients such as Israeli Oil and Royal Mail for two years in the 2024 election he stood for election in Brighton.
How do coorporations influence the government?
> hire lobbyists
Political donations
Support political campaigns
Employ former politicians or civil servants to further their cause.
Give me an example of the role lobbyists play for corporations?
> 80% of lobbyists are employed by major corporations
oil and gas companies met every day with the UK gov in 2023 via the links provided by lobbyists
Give me examples of political donations?
> £250,000 by Flowieau to the conservatives
£200,000 by dusty TLP to labour
How can cooperations support political campaigns?
Many corporations support Marcus Rashfords free school meals campaign which forced the Conservative Party to change its stance.
How can former politicians assist Corporations?
David Cameron in 2020 lobbied for green shill capital and became a share holder he attempted to gain funding during Covid for the corporation but fell flat.
Is it democratic?
> On the one hand corporations should pay lots of taxes and are vital in the economy so deserve a say and they have a lot of expertise to offer in particular fields.
But many corporations also drown out the influence of individuals like trade unions and only work for themselves not the benefit of the wider community.
Examples of think tanks:
- Fabian society (labour)
- Adam Smith institute (conservative)
- Demos (cross thinking)
How are think tanks influential?
- Can be influential on policy ideas, such as Joseph Rowntree foundation which has been cited in over 157 policy documents
- Iain Duncan Smith founded the centre for social justice was made leader of the Conservative Party highlighting the link between think tanks and the political sphere.
How are think tanks limited in their influence?
> only influential of their respective ideological party is in power
the rise of pragmatism and abandonment of ideology in UK politics has left many think tanks to become ignored by established political parties.
What is a sectional pressure group?
> sectional pressure groups represent the interests of a particular group within society
Muslim council of Britain
What is a causal pressure group?
> Pressure groups that represent a wide ranging issue
anyone can be a part of the pressure group
friends of the earth
What is an insider pressure group?
> an insider pressure group attempts to inact influence using insider links to the political sphere to influence key decision makers in government.
for example the BMA
What is an outsider pressure group?
> a pressure group that doesn’t have as much access to government than insider ones so attempt to influence the government by winning public support
for example the Ghurka justice campaign.
How can insider pressure groups gain access and influence?
Certain pressure groups can offer an area of expertise on certain issues, such as the BMA who are often consulted on healthcare issues, giving them access and influence to decision makers.
How are pressure groups influence often changed by political circumstances?
> certain governments don’t allows insider access to certain pressure groups, trade unions often get access during labour office whilst they struggle to under the tories
on the other hand groups like the tax payers alliance a pressure group advocating for small government can gain access under the conservatives.
What is the best example of a powerful pressure groups?
> in the 1970’s under the labour administration pressure groups had immense power.
the leader of the transport and general workers union a man called Jack Jones was credited to be the most powerful man in Britain all because of the hold he had over the prime minister
yeah he was the fucking bollocks.