Pressure Groups

• What are causal pressure groups?

  • Seek to promote a particular cause.
  • Examples include; Greenpeace, Liberty, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
• What are sectional pressure groups?

  • Seek to represent the interests of a section of society.
  • Self-interested and hope to serve the interests of their members.
  • Some sectional pressure groups argue that the success of their members will create success in society; for instance, better pay for doctors will increase medical care for the rest of society.
  • However, some large sectional groups include multinational corporations like Google and Amazon who can wield an unjustified level of influence to prevent policies that may harm their profits; many tobacco firms such as British American Tobacco.
• Insider Groups

  • Seek to be involved in the early stage of decisionmaking, so are often consulted by decisionmakers and sometimes can offer expert advice and legislation.
  • Some such groups employ professional lobbyists; can gain access to high-ranking politicians in government.
  • Special Committees; NFU and Institute of Directors have been consulted by agricultural select committee; trade unions have been consulted by employment select committee.
  • Sectional Pressure groups may testify infront of parliamentary committees; these usually televised.
• Other methods used by Pressure Groups

  • Pressure Groups can make grants to political parties to favour their cause; trade unions finance the Labour Party.
  • MPs and Peers can gain support of pressure groups, and raise issues on their behalf in Parliament and on select committees.
  • Media Campaigns.
  • Illegal methods; these include protests such as the blocking of flights at Heathrow by Plane Stupid.
  • Pressure Groups can act through the courts if they feel the government has acted unlawfully.
• Success factors of Pressure Groups

  • Size; Age UK policy success shows proof; however, failure of anti-war coalition in 2003 shows maybe not a success.
  • Finance; wealthy groups such as CBI can afford lobbyists to gain insider access; trade unions can also afford lobbyists.
  • Public Mood; combining public sentiment and strong campaigning can be successful in bringing cause to the attention of decsionmakers; ASH has benefitted from a welcoming society; LGBT rights and gay marriage also fit with this.
  • Attitude of Government; Coalition lowered tax for low-incomes due to Child Poverty Action Group.
• Failure factors of pressure groups

  • May be too small and have limited funds; hyperpluralism means that excessive pressure groups cause only the largest to gain the ear of government; weak pressure groups include local hospital closure groups.
  • Unsympathetic government; trade unions have difficulty influencing Conservative Governments usually.
  • Public Opinion; groups that are opposed by the public can struggle to have success; Insulate Britain pressure group were hated by the public for their protests which blocked ambulances.
• Do Pressure Groups enhance democracy?

  • Yes; help to educate the public; increases participation in politics; disperses power and influence across society; promote and protect minority interests; call governments to account.
  • No; some pressure groups are elitist; some trade union pressure groups are internally undemocratic; wealthy groups can wield more power than smaller groups.
• Think Tanks

  • Undertakes research into public policy on key issues.
  • Can be neutral or politically-sided.
  • Neutral = Centre for Social Justice (welfare issues), ResPublica (general ideas).
  • Left-wing = Fabian Society (concern social justice and equality).
  • Right-wing = Adam Smith Institute (promotes free trade).
  • Liberal = Liberty (protection of rights and liberty).