do pressure groups enhance or threaten democracy?

insider group: a pressure group, thinktank, lobbyist or corporation that enjoys regular consultation with the government

methods used by insider groups:

  • most popular methods:

    • working with ministers n civil servants

    • working with Parliament

    • working with political parties

    • working with wider access points (available since 1998)

method 1: working with ministers and civil servants

  • Government Engagement with External Groups:

    • Necessity for specialist knowledge and advice in policymaking

    • Understanding reactions of affected groups to proposed policies

    • Crucial work occurs behind the scenes in corridors of power

    • Conducted away from media scrutiny

    • Focus on early policy stages for substantive influence

  • Impact of Decentralisation:

    • Effectiveness reduced with decentralisation (devolution) of power

method 2: working with Parliament

  • Pressure Groups and Parliamentary Influence:

    • If government access is limited, groups may turn to Parliament

    • Increased media coverage compared to direct government influence

    • Rise in this method from 2010 to 2019 due to smaller majorities and independent-minded MPs

  • Influence Methods:

    • Requesting MPs to introduce amendments

    • Collaborating on drafting amendments

    • Influencing MPs' and peers' voting on bills

    • Drafting Private Members Bills

    • Contributing to departmental reports

method 3: working with political parties

  • Working with Political Parties:

    • Motivated by parties potentially forming the government

  • Funding Sources:

    • Labour Party receives six-figure sums from trade unions (e.g., GMB, UNISON, Unite, USDAW)

    • Conservative Party funded by individuals and businesses, especially banking, property, and fossil fuels

  • Think Tanks' Party Ties:

    • Example: Common Wealth, established in 2019 by Ed Miliband

    • Focuses on workers' influence in business, influences Labour policy in 2019 election

  • Risks of Close Association:

    • Relies on parties keeping promises if in power

    • Too close association may alienate other political parties

method 4: using wider access points

Increased Access Points for Groups:

  • Since 1998, more avenues for engagement available

  • CBI and TUC have offices in Scotland, Wales, and London

  • Example: CBI successful in policy changes for small businesses in digital connectivity

  • Pre-2020, TUC and CBI had Brussels offices for engagement with European counterparts

  • Note: European avenue closed since 2020

how effective are insider methods?

for

against

influence with ministers n civil servants is the most effective method as it is where the centre of power lies

power has been moving away from central government

parliament has become powerful n lobbying more sophisticated

the government still dominates parliament, esp since 2019

influence on a political party can impact govt policy

insider status with one party can be problematic - esp if they fail to gain power

insider status within the EU and devolved assemblies has become more important as these institutions have grown in power

power still remains concentrated in westminster and the uk has now left the eu

outsider group: a pressure group that is either not consulted by government or does not want to be closely involved with govt

how effective are outsider methods?

for

against

engaging public opinion can shift the political agenda and force govt action

shaping public opinion can be done over the long term, but it’s harder to influence short-term change

direct action has become more common as it can be used to set the agenda for 24/7 news

govts are unlikely to change policies as a result of direct action

new tech has enabled groups to generate media attention, set the agenda n force political change

coalition n conservative govts have been dismissive of groups like 38 degrees, seeing them as aiming to block the will of an elected govt

judicial review is being used more frequently to challenge policy and/or generate media coverage

judicial review is only used when all other methods have failed n is seen as being too costly to be widely effective

pluralism: a theory of the distribution of political power that holds that power is widely and evenly dispersed in society rather than concentrated in the hands of an elite or ruling class

are some groups more successful than others?

wealth

size

Influence of Powerful Groups:

  • Listened to due to financial and economic power

  • Possess knowledge, expertise, and financial strength

  • Can employ professional lobbyists, PR consultants, and make political donations

Power of Large Groups:

  • Can assert representation of public opinion

  • More members lead to increased subscriptions and donations

  • Enables organisation of political campaigns and protests

Limitations of Wealth:

  • Wealth doesn't guarantee success

  • Example: Boris Johnson faced public backlash in shelving Corporation tax cut

Importance of Expertise and Membership Quality:

  • Expertise and membership quality crucial

  • Example: Howard League with 19 staff consulted by parliamentary committees and media

  • BMA's influence due to 80% doctor membership

Public Opinion Dynamics:

  • Corporation tax set to rise to 25% in 2023 to fund pandemic costs

  • Supported by public opinion

Insider Status Consideration:

  • Membership size doesn't substitute for lacking insider status

Changing Dynamics with Technology:

  • Internet and social media reduce dependence on wealth for expressing opinions

organisation & leadership:

  • Characteristics of Effective Pressure Groups:

    • Acute political skills and influential contacts

    • Developed media and presentation skills

  • Limitations:

    • Cannot sustain opposition to government views in the long term

  • Example: BMA's Challenge over Junior Doctors' Contracts (2014-2016)

    • Failed due to BMA's refusal to accept a compromise

    • Affected by the Conservatives' 2015 manifesto pledge for a 7-day NHS

compatibility with the govt:

  • Government Sympathy and Group Success:

    • Groups more likely to succeed with a government sympathetic to their goals

  • Example: 'March for the Alternative' in 2011 failed due to a government committed to spending cuts

  • Example of Success:

    • IoD and Taxpayer’s Alliance succeeded with the report 'How to save £50bn'

    • Aligned with government's focus on spending cuts over tax rises

    • Ideas from the report, like a public sector pay freeze and benefit cap reduction, were accepted

  • Outsider Group Effectiveness:

    • Outsider groups can still be effective

    • Example: Poll Tax protests of 1990 led to long-term change after the removal of the Prime Minister

popular support:

  • Public Support and Influence of Pressure Groups:

    • Groups with more public support exert greater influence

  • Government Decision Calculations:

    • Government considers potential electoral damage before conceding to group demands

  • Example of Influence:

    • Marcus Rashford's 2020 campaign for free school meals during school holidays

    • Media appearances, tweets, and open letter prompted government U-turn

  • Public Support Discrepancy:

    • Public support doesn't always translate to political influence

    • Example: Stop the War coalition's 2003 march had no impact on government policy despite public opposition

  • Influence Factors Beyond Public Support:

    • Think tanks, corporations, and lobbyists rely on connections, revolving door, and party donations for influence