PRESSURE GROUPS

PRESSURE GROUPS 

an organised group of people that are united by a common cause/ belief  they wish to influence and change the policies and views of the government  they wish to influence and change the views of the general public  they are a central feature of representative democracy  They can be classified in two ways:  By their aims: Sectional and Promotional (Cause)  By their relationship with the government/ Status: Insider or Outsider  There are issues with categorising pressure groups in these ways:  By their aims: some PG merge between the two. e.g. the BMA benefits its members but it also puts pressure on the gov. and advices on public health By their status: some PG can change status between governments e.g. Labour and TUC and Conservatives and CBI. 

By their Aims: 

SECTIONAL GROUPS:  sometimes described as interest and protective groups  united by a common feature e.g. economic interests pr social interests they tend to be interested in a section of the community  they aim to protect the interests of their members so membership is normally exclusive and their is often a criteria for qualifying e.g. only qualified or trainee teachers can become members of the NUT (National Union of Teachers)  UNITE: UKs biggest trade union, representing the general workers  BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (BMA): representing the doctors  CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY (CBI): representing UK businesses  NATIONAL FARMERS UNION (NFU): representing the farmers and their views. 

PROMOTIONAL GROUPS:  sometimes described as cause/ issue groups  united by commonly held causes or beliefs e.g. wildlife, economics, welfare promotional groups tend to be interested in the interests of the whole community  they aim to promote issues and policies that do not exclusively benefit their members e.g. The Child Poverty Action Group campaign on behalf of children and those in poverty. Their membership is open  GREENPEACE: campaign on environmental issues (quite militant)  FRIENDS OF THE EARTH: campaign on environmental issues LIBERTY: campaign on strengthening individual rights and liberties RSPCA: campaigns on child welfare  RSPB: campaigns on welfare of birds

By their Status

INSIDER GROUPS:  CORE INSIDERS: they have close + regular contact and work with the government on a broad range of issues SPECIALIST INSIDERS: they are consulted on specific issues e.g. the BMA and NHS reforms.  PERIPHERAL INSIDERS:  participate as an insider but has very little actual influence.  have a close and established working relationship with the government and regularly work with them during policy making e.g. in the early drafting of legislation they know who to contact e.g. MPs and Select Committees. e.g. RSPCA may have representatives / permanent policy advising committees.  may have an institutional link with a political party e.g. Labour and TUC and conservatives and CBI E.g. NFU, RSPCA, CBI, BMA 

OUTSIDER GROUPS:  IDEOLOGICAL OUTSIDERS: difference in views makes it hard to work with the government.  OUTSIDERS BY NECESSITY: lack skills/knowledge to become insiders POTENTIAL INSIDERS: lack experience and support.  have no established working patterns or productive links with gov and they have no regular contact nor a direct influence over policy making. They are OUTSIDE the decision making framework. --> views less likely to be heard.  they are either not established enough, or don't want to limit their independence and be held accountable by becoming an insider they reach their goals by capturing media attention, publicity stunts, civil disobedience  e.g. GREENPEACE [GM crop destroyed] and PLANE STUPID [obstruct expansion plans] 

Functions of Pressure Groups

 REPRESENTATION- many feel that their minority views are expressed. They also have to protect and safeguard the interests of its members.  PARTICIPATION- people can express themselves politically between elections e.g 2011 march in London by trade union groups to show dissatisfaction with coalition plans on public spending cuts  EDUCATION- to inform and educate the public of politics e.g. Greenpeace regularly monitor and measure radioactive pollution near power plants and post online.  SCRUITINY AND ACCOUNTABILITY- show people the flaws in government so that in the next election they can be held accountable 

Pressure Groups and Political Parties 

DIFFERENCES PP seek to form a government and to gain power, whilst PG seek to influence the government and general public PG are concerned with a relatively narrow set of issues, whereas PP have a much broader campaign e.g the Green Party used to be a PG with only environmental issues--> PP with broader campaign  PGs don't have to be held accountable whereas as PP are  Pos must be formal organisations whereas PG can be informal. 

SIMILARITIES  some PGs offer candidates for local elections e.g. Britain First and Right to Life (anti abortion PG)  some PP have narrow views so they look like PG such as UKIP  PGs often form PP --> UKIP and Green Party  both have leaders, members, volunteers and seek to influence. 

ACCESS POINTS  and METHODS 

insider PG can target a no access points.  access points are the people and places that PG can attempt to place pressure for their desired change  they use access points as means to influence legislation  LOCAL:  NATIONAL: PM, government, Parliament, MPs, Lords, Supreme Courts  DEVOLVED:  Scottish Parliament, Welsh and Northern Ireland Assembly  INTERNATIONAL: European Union, `World Bank, UN  PGs Methods and Objectives:  to influence policy and decision makers on all levels  to bring issues to public attention and scrutinise them  to mobilise public support--> place pressure on gov  defend rights of members and cause 

Methods 

Lobbying: many groups will target the Executive Branch (ministers and civil servants) to ensure that their issue is on gov agenda. This helps to influence the shaping of bills before they're written. Professional Lobbying: hired by groups who can afford it, they target executive branch. They attempt to influence