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Pressure groups Flashcards

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1
Q

Pressure group

A

A group of like minded individuals who seek to influence government policy to achieve a particular goal.

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2
Q

Difference between pressure groups and political parties

A
  • PGs aim to influence the govt while parties aim to form a govt
  • PGs can be divisive whereas parties must try to be inclusive
  • PGs aren’t held accountable whereas parties are held accountable regularly
  • PGs focus on particular issue whereas parties need to consider every issue
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3
Q

Why do people join pressure groups

A
  • They feel strongly about a particular cause and want to get involved in causing change
  • They have something to gain from joining , legal representation or job protection form unions
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4
Q

Social movements

A

An informal network of people who support similar goals for the improvement of an aspect of society.
- Less structured and organised than PGs and may include PGs within them

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5
Q

The Labour Movement

A

During the Industrial Revolution, many ppl moved out of the countryside to work in the newly industrialised towns and cities.
The growing working class had shared aims of higher pay, shorter working hours and safer conditions.
- This broad movement became more formalised to Trade Unions and the Labour Party

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6
Q

The Environmental movement

A

In the 1950s, the development of nuclear weapons/energy, oil spills and improvement of public education made ppl concerned about the environment and many began to make lifestyle changes.
- This led to the creation of Greenpeace and the Green Party

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7
Q

Functions of pressure groups

A
  • Representation (functional representation : represent specific sections of society)
  • Participation : in between elections & more direct
  • Education : (public & govt)make public more aware of issue
  • Scrutiny : hold govt to account between elections
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8
Q

Classification by Aims

A
  • Sectional groups (interest)
  • Cause groups (promotional)
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9
Q

Sectional Groups

A

Aims to protect the interest os their members and membership is usually exclusive.
EG: Trade Unions (NUT) only teachers can join

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10
Q

Cause groups

A

Aim to promote a specific cause that do not benefit groups members.
EG: Child poverty action group campaigns on behalf of children in poverty even though it doesn’t benefit members

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11
Q

Limitations of classification by Aims

A

Some groups don’t fit into any classification.
EG: the BMA is a sectional group as they protect the interest of doctors in the UK but they also campaigns for better public health policies as this goes beyond its members

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12
Q

Wynn Grants assumption on PG’s

A

That promotional groups are of greater benefit to society that interest ones because they are more conceived with the general good rather than personal advantage

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13
Q

Classification by Status

A
  • Insider groups
  • Outsider groups
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14
Q

Insider groups

A

Groups that regularly consult with the government so have insider status, they use their private contacts in Whitehall

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15
Q

BMA

A

Insider group
Aims:
- acts as doctors trade union
- lobbies govt for improvements to public health and healthcare
Membership:
- 160k
Methods:
- brief MPs on health policies and meet with minters
- Organised first full strike on junior doctors in April 2016 over changes to contract

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16
Q

BMA Successes and Failures

A

Successes:
- Plays leading role in every debate about public health and healthcare
- most respected insider groups (influences govt policies)
- Govt made policies championed by BMA (sugar tax on fizzy drinks, opt-out system for organ donations, compulsory seat belts for all passengers)

Failures:
- Govt didn’t give junior doctors the new contract after strike
- Less effective as interest groups as was unable to prevent doctors from taking a real terms pay cut in 2021

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17
Q

Outsider groups

A

Do not work directly with the govt and instead to try to influence public opinions

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18
Q

Limitations of classification by Status

A
  • Peripheral influencers have little influence
  • Insider groups can become outsiders and vice versa
  • when BMA realised they couldn’t influence the govt they took insider groups methods at took its first strike action in 2012
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19
Q

How groups Switch Between Insider and Outsider Status

A

Some groups move between insider and outsider state according to changing political circumstances and the political leanings of the party in power
- EG: Trade unions enjoyed privileged access and influence in the post-war era esp with the Labour govt, but when Thatcher’s govt came into power in 1979, union leaders were excluded from the corridors of power

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20
Q

Types of Insiders

A
  • Core insiders: work closely and regularly with the government
  • Specialist Insiders: consulted on particular issues
  • Peripheral Insiders: insiders but with very little influence
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21
Q

Types of outsiders

A
  • Ideological outsiders: different ideological views make it impossible to work w/ govt
  • Outsiders by necessity: lack the funding, expertise and resource s to be an insider
  • Potential Insiders: lack the experience and support
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22
Q

Access points

A

The people and places that pressure groups can target to apply pressure for desires changes

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23
Q

UK Access points

A
  • PM/ govt
  • Parliament
  • SC
  • Scottish Parliament
  • Welsh Assembly
  • Mayors
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24
Q

Methods of insider pressure groups

A
  • influencing the govt
  • influencing parliament
  • influencing parties
  • using the courts
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25
Professional Lobbyist
Members of professional organisations paid by clients seeking access and influent the government, MPs, Lords. To gain influence on behalf of their client.
26
David Cameron and Greensill capital lobbying - revolving door
Former PM David Cameron became a paid advisor to greensill capital a company owned by Lex Greensill who was previously an unpaid supervisor to him whilst he was PM. Cameron received significant shares in Greensill, so it was his financial interest for the company to grow significantly. In 2020 at the start of Covid, Cameron attempted to persuade govt ministers to allow Greensill to join the Covid financing facility - which would enable the company to issue govt insured loans and make them more money. After leaving, he contacted govt minters including chancellor Rishi Sunak 45 times. Cameron didn’t break the lobbying act 2014 he had introduced because he didn’t count as a lobbyist because he was employed directly by Greensill Capital
27
how insiders lobby the govt
Once they’ve gotten their issues on the govts agenda - they may have a consultation with the govt - the govt might might issue green/white papers
28
How insider groups influence legislation
Secondary legislation - which are rules made by ministers under powers given by Acts of Parliament
29
How insider groups lobby parliament
Lobbying backbench MPs to amend or block legislation to introduce their own bills - Might write letter to local MPs to raise issue during debates - Might ask MPs to introduce is AS PMB or Ballot bill
30
Strengths of lobbying
- Can provide expertise as well funded to carry out detailed research and help govt in decision making - Lobbying is free speech - There is some regulation - lobbying Act 2014, so greater transparency surrounding lobbying and more trust.
31
Limitations of lobbying
- Disproportionately helps powerful groups as they can afford to lobby the govt and dominate the agenda. - Revolving door weakens the govt as they are able to sue their expertise and contracts to support lobbying leads to mistrust (Greensill scandal)
32
How do outsider PGs indirectly lobby public
- Educate the public on their issue - Convince the public - Encourage public support - Get data to show public opinion is on their side - Use this to pressure MPs
33
How has lobbying tries to be tackled in the UK through the media?
Undercover journalist posing as lobbyists to entrap MPs with financial rewards or offers. The parliaments code of conduct strictly bars MPs from accepting money for agreeing to represent a viewpoint.
34
How did the lobbying case of Tory MP Scott Benton undermine trust in govt ans show impact on govt
Scott Benton was caught in an undercover investigation by the Time in 2023. Where he was filmed offering to lobby on behalf of a fake gambling company. He boasted a kit having access to many ministers and offered to leak confidential info in exchange for £4k a month
35
How had Greenpeace as an outsider PG been successful in aims
Was successful in its micro-beads campaign as the govt proposed the strongest ban on micro-beads in the world and declared that all personal care and cosmetic products containing microbeads would be off shelves by 2018
36
How were the NFU limited following Labour coming into power ?
In 2024 budget, reeves scraped the agricultural property relief so there will be 20% inheritance tax on all farming assets over £1m. Caused backlash from NFU and caused protest. NFU president Tome Bradshaw said this led to the “death of the family farm”. They refused to reverse policy and haven’t engaged despite mass protests by farmers outside Westminster & organising a madd lobby event where thousands of farmers met 150 MPs. This shows outsider methods w mass participation don’t always affectively achieve PGs aims esp if they’re not in line w PGs priorities. This is important as the NFU was an insider but switched to outsider due to change of govt.
37
Civil disobedience
refusing to comply with legal restrictions on protest (legal direct action)
38
What did Peter Melchett from Greenpeace say about direct action
That it doesn’t highlight issues, it simplifies highly complex subjects. It cuts through the jargon, mystery and bureaucracy and it demands a straight answer
39
Factors that affect outcomes of PG’s
- membership - resources - aims - public support - methods & strategy
40
Why might aims influence PG outcomes
- If an aim is much more achievable than another so more success - The issue is more salient (more on minds of ppl they want to influence) - their aims are more favourable - aima are more compatible with govt views (unions back in the day)
41
Why might resources influence PG outcomes
- more resources funds office, equipment, staff and advertising EG: CBI has 13 offices across UK helping lobby govt in British business - financial resources (lobbying, donating, access points) - human resources (membership)
42
Why might a well resourced PG find it difficult to achieve their aims
Because they have an equally, experienced well resourced opposition - EG: Trade Union congress has 6mil workers and represents 54 unions but is normally in conflict with the CBI
43
Why might membership influence outcomes of PG’s
- gives greater legitimacy so more influence over govt - highly regarded memberships have more influence on politicians, media,public (BMA-respected doctors)
44
How did the NFU have impact on the govt
close links Dpt of environment, food…(DEFRA) under Tory govt Sunak attended their annual conference and pledged to protect British farming - leading to the UK suspending their trade talks with Canada after they refused to loosen food standards - this benefitted 55,00 farmer with the NFU
45
Umbrella groups
Organisations that represent the interests of a number of different pressure groups with similar interests or causes
46
Example of umbrella groups
COPA & COGECA These umbrella groups represent over 30 million farmers across the EU and has successfully lobbies the EU particularly in budget allocated for the common agricultural policy
47
Think tanks
Group of experts who are brought together to investigate topics and offer solutions to economic, social and political issues. Unlike civil service, they have political leanings and strong connections to parties
48
How think tanks have influence
alternative source of ideas, with some more expertise to carry research and come up with policy solutions, they have to be aligned with government thinking to have an impact on policy - They have been criticised for being filled with young ppl trying to boost their political careers (David Milliband workers for IPPR)
49
How are PG bad for democracy - Representation
NO: - good for salient and popular causes - essential for minority groups / unpopular causes - addresses tyranny of majority YES: - PG’s are self interested, their only concerned with their members or cause - NIMBYISM - groups who protest plans bcuz they would prefer it somewhere else not that they disagree (hs2)
50
Why do PG lack internal democracy
- They are not democratic - Unelected members make many important decisions - Few members are actively involved and some are ‘cheque book members’
51
Cheque book members
Individuals that make a donation or pay membership fees but do noting else to support groups aims
52
Pluralism
Different groups compete equally for power and influence. Power is fragmented and dispersed in society.
53
Elitism
Power is concentrated and restricted. Many PGs exists buy a very have real influence and power.
54
Pluralist democracy
Open and fair competition between all political parties and PGs
55
What is hyper pluralism?
When multiple interest groups become so strong that the govt is unable to function - Business v environmental pressure groups (CBI v Extinction rebellion)
56
The revolving door
the movement of individuals from the public sector to the private sector - particularly in industries they were once in. Former politicians may use insider knowledge or contacts for private gain
57
How has the labour govt been recently accused to the ‘revolving door’
Treasury minister, Emma Reynolds who’s responsible for UK relationship on financial services refused to recuse herself from govt policy w China despite having previously worked for a lobbying firm that lobbied the govt on that exact issue (UK & Chinas relationship on financial services). She’s an MP who worked for the cityUK which is a lobbying firm for banks
58
How do PGs reinforce existing inequality
The most wealthy and well connected in society have the resources and status to more effectively lobby the govt which makes it easier to promote policies that protect their interests and status
59
What did Conservative MP Douglas Hurd describe pressure groups as
“Serpents that strangle efficient govt” As PGs are undemocratic and aren’t held accountable, the public doesn’t get to vote out
60
How can PGs lead to tyranny of the minority
PGs give voice to minority groups, it they gain too much influence in govt the needs of a small minority may be put over the needs of the public through lobbying or direct action.
61
What has been brought about to try and stop lobbying ?
Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) - however, it’s not legally binding and ministers can ignore it, has been called ‘toothless’
62
What were just stop oils methods?
civil disobedience. They didn’t care about public image, they just wanted to get their message across rather than public support

UK Politics (8 decks)

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