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=**__Pressure Groups__**=

Pressure groups and their functions Classification of pressure groups Political parties vs pressure groups What methods do they use? Why do PGs succeed or fail? Are they good for democracy? Examples of their success



Pressure groups and their functions

 * What is a pressure group?**
 * **A pressure group is an organisation whose members have some shared interests or objectives**
 * They seek to influence (public and govt.) – they have fairly precise goals.
 * Focus one issue or one group of issues.
 * **The can be well structured bodies with rules and constitutions.**
 * **Or, they can be seen as a group of movements and lobbies.**
 * They are not political parties, ie don’t field candidates. (Usually)


 * What are the functions of pressure groups?**
 * Promote key issues
 * Educate
 * Participation between elections (**active citizenship**)
 * Raise no-go issues
 * Help redress of grievance
 * Minority Representation
 * Source of specialist information
 * Help to implement changes in public policy
 * Decentralisation of power in the political system
 * Check and balance

Classification of Pressure Groups

 * What are insider** **pressure** **groups?**
 * Close relationships with the govt - considered legitimate by govt.
 * They almost have specialised knowledge the govt. needs. Often combine with similar groups from other states to form EU level pressure groups.
 * The Confed. of British Industry has close links with Blair Govt.
 * The NSPCC might be cited as an insider pressure group because it is close t political system and has been given statutory powers to handle child protection.
 * What are outsider** **pressure** **groups?**
 * Cannot expect to be considered by govt and are not considered to be legitimate.
 * Not consulted on policy issues because their aim is not aligned with political order of the times, e.g. Trade Unions during Thatcher.
 * FOREST, which defends rights of tobacco smoker, is an outsider because it clashes with the government’s health policy.
 * Groups not aiming for insider status – often believe that the govt is wrong/corrupt e.g. anarchists, anti-globalisation protesters. These groups may be so extreme that it places them outside e.g. IRA, extreme animal rights groups. (All these groups have been legislated against). Note also their anti-democratic nature.


 * What are interest****/sectional** **groups?**
 * A specific part of the population is represented.
 * Within its role is to further the interests of a particular section of the population.
 * In some cases, membership may be restricted to those whose interests the group is representing e.g. trade unions, professional bodies (BMA, NU of Teachers).
 * In others, //**cause** groups,// membership is open to all who are concerned e.g. Child Poverty Action Group and Age Concern. i.e. Shelter – you don’t have to be homeless to join.
 * Other examples – Confederation of British Industry (CBI), AA, Countryside Alliance, National Farmers Union.
 * What are promotional/issue** **groups?**
 * These organisations may appeal to all sections of the community, but are concerned with a particular issue or group of related issues. The granddaddy is the Anti-Slavery League.
 * Including within these are //permanent// and //temporary// groups.
 * Examples of __permanent__ issue groups include Friends of the Earth, Transport 2000, RSPB. (These groups can never achieve all their aims.)
 * Examples of __temporary__ issue groups include CND, Electoral Reform Society and Animal Liberation front (ALF). (These groups could [theoretically] achieve their aims.)

Political Parties vs Pressure Groups
Similarities **AND** Differences
 * What are the similarities and differences between political parties and pressure groups?**

1 Both have main aim of public support. BUT · Pressure groups do not seek to gain power, whereas political parties do. Pressure Groups want influence.

2 Both share methods e.g. use of media BUT · Pressure groups concentrate on one issue or a narrow range of issues compared to political parties, which have a broad range of political issues to discuss.

3 Both develop policy. BUT · Political parties have the responsibility of holding office, whereas pressure groups do not.

4 Both can put up candidates for election. BUT · Political parties put up candidates to win elections – some pressure groups do too, but for different reasons. (i.e. Protest)

5 Both have some degree of formal organisation. BUT · Political parties have a clearly defined legal status and are held accountable.

6 Can be active at local, regional, national, European Union level. BUT · Parties have to win votes to act, Pressure Groups don’t.

7 Political parties have to actually implement policies and take responsibility for them. 

**What methods do pressure groups use?**
//· **MOBILISING PUBLIC SUPPORT**// - high profile campaigning, the organisation of public demonstrations, publicity stunts e.g. Countryside Alliance’s mass campaigns in support of fox-hunting, Fathers For Justice. Or low profile, long term campaigning: RSPCA, NSPCC

· **//INCORPORATION OR “INSIDER” STATUS//** - they can therefore expect to exert considerable influence, but with responsibilities. e.g. National Farmers’ Union, Friends of the Earth, National Trust, Confederation of British Industry. Or pressure groups become government-sponsored bodies themselves, and therefore are represented directly. E.g. Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality.

//· **FIGHTING ELECTIONS**// - new phenomenon of putting pressure group candidates up for election seen during 1997 general election - Referendum Party, Greens.


 * //· PARLIAMENTARY ACTION//** - many Labour MPs are “sponsored” by trade unions, in return for fighting for that trade union’s cause. Pressure on MPs/support of MPs to pass a PMB. Successful examples include law relating to homosexuality (led by Edwina Currie) and to abortion (David Alton) in 1990s.
 * //· MEDIA CAMPAIGNS//** - information and data can be gathered to support a group’s aims, and presented in TV, radio and press features. Furthermore, celebrities can be used in these campaign (e.g. Sir Cliff Richard for Viewers’ and Listeners’ Association abortion law, Sir Ian McKellen for homosexual law reform and AIDS issues). ‘Cathy Come Home’ (Homelessness) is probably the most successful TV programme ever to promote a charity issue.



**Why do pressure groups succeed or fail?**
· **//SIZE//** - govt is more likely to respond to a larger pressure group, simply b/c there are more potential votes to be won or lost. However, during 1980s - trade unions (total membership 8 million) and pensioners (about 25% of the population) did not appear to enjoy any political advantage. But it also depends on whether the membership are (potential) govt voters, and the organisation that backs them. Thus the Countryside Alliance – despite holding the 2nd biggest march ever in the UK) posed no threat to Labour. STOP THE WAR also failed to make the impression its size should have suggested in 2003. The fuel protesters in 2000 on the other hand did scare Blair. So really it is **//SIZE x EFFECTIVENESS.//**

· **//GOVERNMENT// //SUPPORT//** - depends on which party is in govt at any particular time. Govt more likely to be influenced by large numbers of its own potential supporters e.g. not unsurprising that Conservative administrations of 1980s and 90s were unsympathetic to trade unions. (New Lab isn’t that sympathetic either).

· **//FINANCE//** - This can be controversial when concerning large companies producing tobacco, alcohol, gas and electricity etc. Funds can be used to finance political parties and therefore receive sympathetic treatment. Also, pressure groups are able to mount expensive campaigns in support of their campaigns, hire professional PR staff, lobby effectively etc.

· **//ORGANISATION//** - a well-organised pressure group will have a considerable advantage due to having a network for the recruitment of members, research facilities and staff, a strong management structure to give policy direction, established methods for creating publicity.

· **//STRATEGIC POSITION//** - certain sectional groups enjoy special status due to govt’s or the community’s reliance on them. e.g. police, medical and emergency service personnel, trade unions. · Key strategic groups that may use their position to exert influence include:

· **//PUBLIC//** **//OPINION//** - A combination of an effective campaign together with a sympathetic public is a potent combination. Recent examples of important policy changes & developments based on these circumstances include equal pay for women, controls over experimentation on animals, reducing the age of consent for homosexuals, relaxation of alcohol licensing laws.

· **//STRENGTH OF OPPOSITION//** - often two or more pressure groups must go against each other. e.g. the anti-smoking lobby v. the tobacco industry, the League Against Cruel Sports v. the Countryside Alliance.



Are Pressure Groups Good for Democracy?
· Act as an effective channel of communication between governed and govt, articulating demands and mobilising support for them. · Provide wide opportunities for people to participate in political process without having to devote excessive amounts of time. · Ensure minority groups and interests are represented within political system. e.g. NSPCC b/c children cannot vote · Act as an important check on the power of the state by mobilising opposition to measures against sections of community. · Help to ensure stability by institutionalising peaceful political conflict, so preventing possible disorder and violence.
 * What are the arguments to suggest that pressure groups are good** **for democracy?**

· Only concerned with their own welfare and ignore the broader good of the whole community and the country. e.g. TUs on strike, public transport, fuel strike 2001 · Some groups may wield disproportionate amounts of influence b/c of finance and links with political parties. e.g. TUs give money to Labour · Might not be internally democratic – might become merely reflections of elitism rather than true pluralism.
 * What are the arguments to suggest that pressure groups are** **a** **threat** **to democracy?**



Examples of Pressure Group Success
PG Success
 * **Political Compatibility** – //TUC with Labour, CND with Labour, CBI with Tories//
 * **Financial Wealth** - //CBI, IOD, Greenpeace (£350,000 on Brent spa)//
 * **Organisation –** //NFU rep. 85%, Frank Field – strong leader, Good tactics (too many strikes)//
 * **Leverage** – //Fuel Protesters, BMA, Fire Brigades etc.//
 * **Political Contacts –** //Insider groups who are in direct contact with the system//
 * **Public Support** – //Snowdrop, anti-poll tax lobby, govt. wants re-election.//

Influence
 * **Ministers/Civil Servants** - //CS thought to be better, NUT opposed National Circum tests//
 * **Parliament -** //Ask questions etc. small majority = better, Wild Animals Protection Bill//
 * **Political Parties** – //TUC Linked with Lab, Business with Conservatives – eroding?//
 * **EU** – //Power shift to// //Brussels////, 3000+ PG’s, Friends of the Earth –// //UK// //water quality//
 * **Courts** //– Ultra Vires, defeated twice a day, Prosecution of Refugees + Ghost Ships//
 * **Campaign/Media** – //visibility, important for outsides, media unpredictable – hard to sustain//
 * //Steven Laurence (MP campaigned…Mail…) Fuel Protests//
 * **Direct Action** – //MAD, Animal Liberation (Huntingdon), Fuel Protests, Poll Tax//