Pressure groups- methods+case studies

What is a pluralist democracy?

When political influence is dispersed among a wide variety of elected and non elected bodies, ensuring that there is fair and transparent competition between rival groups for influence.

Public can therefore participate by supporting pressure groups

What is a sectional/interest group?

* A pressure group that represents a particular group within society

Name an example of an interest pressure group?

* The Muslim Council of Britain

what is a cause/promotional pressure group?

A pressure group that promotes a particular issue which can be supported by anyone

Name an example of a cause/promotional group?

* Friends of the earth
* Green peace
* Just stop oil
* Liberty

What is an insider pressure group ?

A pressure group that have privileged access to government decision making.

Name an example of an insider pressure group?

The British medical association (BMA)

What is an outsider pressure group?

Pressure groups who rely on public support

Name an example of an outsider pressure group?

* Gurkha justice campaign- high profile nature of campaign achieved residency rights for Gurkhas who had served in the British military
* Fathers4justice
* Just stop oil

What are the positives of being an insider pressure group?

* It is vital to the success of a group-offer specialist knowledge to government.
* Influence will be reflected in legislation
* Eg. Michael Gove (environment secretary at the time) praised for listening to “friends of the earth” when banning bee harming pesticides

What are some negatives to being an insider pressure group?

* groups may have to compromise on ideological views to be more appeasing to government
* Political bias of government will determine which groups claim insider status.
* EG- trade unions will gain influence under labour whilst pressure groups such as the taxpayers alliance who promote a small government will be more influential during a conservative government
* richer pressure groups may have more influence as they can set up offices in prime points such as London (devolution)

What are the positives of being an outside pressure group?

* seek to influence government by taking their case directly to the people- don’t want to compromise on their views
* Focus on mobilising support through online campaigns and social media
* Celebrity endorsement=useful
* Eg. Marcus Rashford
* Social media=accessible and keeps public informed

What are the negatives of being an outside pressure group?

* This method of mobilising support has been called “clicktocracy” meaning public are uninformed and uneducated
* For example 38 degrees have a forum where members can quickly choose and launch there campaign.
* may choose to act and engage in civil disobedience to gain attention.

Examples of outside pressure groups engaging in civil disobedience :

* 1867 riots in Hyde park demanding extension of franchise- quicker pace of parliamentary reform
* Poll tax riots in Trafalgar Square- contributed to resignation of Margaret Thatcher and weakened her position
* Just oil- failure
* Fathers4justice- fail

What does RIPE stand for in relation to why some pressure groups are more successful than others?

R- resources

I- Ideological compatibility with government

P- Popularity

E- Expertise

example of a pressure group gaining support due to ideological compatibility ?

* Migration watch cultivated links with Mays government due to shared commitment of reducing immigration

Example of a pressure group failing due to lack of support from government?

* plane stupid- Opposed to third runway at Heathrow however failed to convince government of their cause.

Pressure group case study:

Fathers 4 Justicce.

What was their methods+aims and result?

Aim- campaigned to change the laws on behalf of fathers after divorce/separation

Method- civil disobedience- 2004- threw purple flour at Tony Blair- Naked protests

Result- failure to achieve aims due to lack of popularity in their civil disobedience so now rely on public support though social media/emotive images/news reports

Liberty: aims, methods + result

* exposes discrimination and infringements of the HRA.
* Fights attempt of Gov to restrict civil liberties
* Appreciate importance of the influence of decision makers
* Work with MPs/gov
* Engages in consultive exercises in order to ensure parliament is fully informed about how legislation does or could affect civil liberties.
* Use judicial review: Challenged legality of investigatory powers act
* success:during gulf war- liberty successfully campaigned for the release of over 100 Iraqi nationals

Examples of unsuccessful pressure groups :

* stop the war- against war against Iraq 2003
* Biggest demonstration in British history but didn’t change government policy due to Blairs large majority and support of the conservatives
* Just stop oil
* 2019 brexit protests- one million protesters and support on online campaigns

Successful pressure groups:

* surfers against sewage-
* “Message in a bottle” campaign- high profile- large support form public+ other pressure groups such as 38 degrees
* In 2018, gov announced it would introduce a deposit return scheme for plastic, metal and glass containers.
* Supported by May+Gove