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Pressure Groups. How much influence do they have?. What are Pressure Groups?. Pressure groups are informal political institutions that seek to influence the making and the implementation of public policy. What do they do?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Pressure GroupsHow much influence do they
have?
What are Pressure Groups?
Pressure groups are informal political institutions that seek to influence the making and the implementation of public policy
What do they do?
They cover a broad spectrum from the large business with high level contacts at national and European level to the smallest local group
Can you name any Pressure Groups based on this information?
How do they influence?
Secret behind the scenes lobbying of politicians and influential figures Wynn Transport
Or
Highly visible protests Fathers for Justice Make Poverty History
Did you know…..
More people belong to Pressure Groups than political parties?
The study of Pressure Groups and influence is essential in understanding how the system works
Can you think of any ways PG’s are similar or ways they are different to Political parties?
Pressure Groups are different from political parties because
They do not normally contest electionsWhen they do, they do not aim to form a
GovernmentTheir campaigns are based on single
issue policies
Pressure Groups are similar to political parties because
They are based on representation and participation
They form a mechanism for the expression of people’s interests
They influence Government and Government policy
Provide fundsSponsor candidatesInfluence the shaping of policies
Types of Pressure Group
Sectional Groups Based on the performance of an economic
function i.e. CBI, BMA, Law Society, NUT
Cause Groups Based on shared attitudes and values
i.e. Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Shelter Charter 88 etc.
Differences explained
Membership Purpose Extras
Sectional
Groups
Limited to a shared background
To protect interests of members
May pursue other causes i.e. BMA – Ban Smoking
Cause Groups
Those sharing same background
Advance public welfare as perceived by members
Owns premises and employs staff
Insider vs Outsider groups
Insider Groups – Consulted on a regular basis by Government
Outsider Groups – Either do not want to be closely involved or are unable to gain Government recognition
Insider Groups
High Profile – Re-inforce contacts with Government through media contact
Low Profile – Behind the scenes contact with Government
Prisoner Groups – Unable to break free as either dependent on Government or public sector
Outsider Groups
Potential Insider – Groups seeking insider status, a change of Government can change status – i.e. Countryside Alliance
Outsider by necessity – Lack the political skills to succeed
Ideological outsiders – Objectives are at a varaince to social and political norms i.e. CND, ALF etc.
Political Relations with PGs
1979-1997 Conservative Govts, saw PGs as “Strangling Serpants” – Douglas Hurd
Curtailed TU powers Won great industrial battles such as 1984 Miners
Strike Professionals groups such as Doctors and
Teachers were seen as in need of radical reform therefore influence denied
Independent Schools, Private Health suppliers and housing associations flourished
Blair
The exemption of F1 from tobacco advertising had nothing to do with Bernie Ecclestones £1 million donation
ASH, BMA and several charities were in uproar
Links with the TU’s have weakened, despite Minimum wage and increased public spending on education and health
The Countryside Alliance
My Heroes!Marched on London in 1998, 2002 and
2004Marched against the ban on fox hunting,
loss of farmland to urban development, falling incomes, declining rural services
Supported by NFU, Clay Pigeon Assoc, Timber Growers Assoc and the British Field Sports Society
Direct Action
May Day Riots 2002…boo hiss…. Soap dodgers marching against capitalism and
the march of poverty Marched through City, destroying buildings, such
as McDonalds and defacing statues such as Churchill’s
City workers photocopied £50 notes and threw them out the windows to the protestors
Fuel Protestors 2000 – Hooray!.....blockading petrol stations
A new Social Movement
Wider focus than a single issue, national or even global in it’s outlook
No HQ, no staff, just groups linked by the Internet, global, anarchic and chaotic
Environmentalism is an example Pressure Groups i.e. Greenpeace Political Parties i.e. The Green Party Action – Protest and Direct, i.e. Rainbow Warrior They include a wide variety of ecologists,
conservationists, eco-warriors etc..
Victims of Social Movements
Iron Triangle of Global Capitalism
WTO IMF World Bank
Multi nationals
McDonald’s Coca-Cola Nike Texaco GAP Microsoft Disney
Core targets for all PG types
The Core Executive PM, Ministers, Civil Servants
ParliamentPublic OpinionLocal Institutions
So do PGs make the UK democratic?YES! Participation and Political access Improvement of Government
Information provided affects quality Pluralism – Freedom of Association
PGs serve as vital links between Govt. and Soc Assist in the dispersal of political power
Social Progress New issues to be debated, i.e. environmentalism
Social Cohesion Safety valve for grievances
Opposition Expose information, improving accountability
So do PGs make the UK democratic?Errr….No! Sectionalism and Selfishness
Only favour the well organised Anti-Parliamentary democracy
Insider groups may not work in public interest Elitism
Re-inforces existing class and power structure Pluralistic stagnation
Too many groups, lots of contrasting aims, can immobilise the system
Social disharmony and dislocation Intensifies feeling of injustice by highlighted groups
Failure of opposition
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