Pressure groups
- Created by: xmeganbakerx
- Created on: 16-04-19 14:13
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- Pressure groups
- Definition
- An association or movement that campaigns either to further the interests of a section of society, or to further a particular cause or issue.
- Types
- Sectional (interest) groups: represent the interests of a particular section of society like occupational groups, professions, age groups, etc.
- E.g. the BMA, National Union of Teachers, National Farmers Union and Age UK.
- Promotional (issue) groups: represents an issue which affects the community at local, regional, national or global level.
- E.g. Greenpeace, Oxfam, Stop the War Coalition and PETA.
- Insider groups: have close links with government or parliament or local and regional bodies. These are mostly sectional groups. They are regularly consulted.
- E.g. the BMA, NFU.
- Outsider groups: don't have insider influence. These are mostly promotional groups which put pressure on decision makers by mobilising broad public opinion.
- E.g. Fathers 4 Justice and the Animal Liberation Front.
- Sectional (interest) groups: represent the interests of a particular section of society like occupational groups, professions, age groups, etc.
- What makes a group successful?
- Having lots of members and/or followers suggest more pressure on government and more available funds.
- E.g, Age UK
- With ample funds a group can successfully campaign and use publicity.
- E.g. UK Finance
- Groups that are vital to society have more political leverage.
- E.g. the BMA.
- Some campaign groups enjoy widespread public support.
- E.g. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
- Some groups have views which accord with government policy.
- E.g. Child Poverty Action Group (when Labour was in power)
- Having lots of members and/or followers suggest more pressure on government and more available funds.
- What makes a group unsuccessful?
- Some groups suffer from lack of active support and funds.
- E.g. local environmental groups.
- Sometimes groups and their aims fall out of favour with the government.
- E.g. trade unions and the Conservatives after 2015.
- Some groups fail to capture public support.
- E.g. pro-smoking group Forest.
- Groups may face powerful adversaries.
- E.g. anti-fracking groups are opposed by powerful energy companies.
- Some groups suffer from lack of active support and funds.
- Do pressure groups enhance or threaten democracy?
- Enhance
- They help to disperse power and influence more widely.
- Educate the public about important political issues.
- Give people more opportunities to participate in politics without having to sacrifice too much time or attention.
- Promote and protect interests and rights of minorities.
- Help to hold government accountable by publicising effects of policy.
- Threaten
- Some are elitist and concentrate power in too few hands.
- Influential groups may distort information in their own interests.
- Internally undemocratic groups may not accurately represent views of members and supporters.
- Finance is a key factor in political influence so wealthier groups may wield too much influence.
- Enhance
- Definition
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