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Summary paper 1 politics: 1.3 pressure groups & other influences
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1.3 pressure groups & other influences. The UK is a pluralist democracy – political power and influence are widely distributed
– different groups can compete to sway govt in their favour.
The public can participate in the political process by supporting pressure groups &
wider social movements.
Pressure group categorisation:
Sectional / interest Cause / promotional
Represent interests of a particular group in society Promote a particular issue. Members are united by
– lobby government on behalf of the clearly defined their shared interest in a specific cause.
social groups. Members can be drawn from across society.
E.g., National Union of Students (NUS), Muslim E.g., Friends of the Earth & Liberty – campaign on
Council of Britain, BMA behalf of civil liberties in the UK.
Insider Outsider
Has privileged access to government decision- No access to political decision-making & may be
making. BMA represents doctors & possesses unprepared to work within existing political
specialist information that govts will wish to structures that they see as hopelessly compromised.
consult. Howard League for Penal Reform – E.g., XR – disruptive high-profile protests to achieve
impartial – supply home office with info concerning public recognition.
prison reform, policing & youth crime.
Factors helping pressure groups achieve success:
Insider status –
Can be vital to the success of a pressure group.
If political decision-makers think it is advantageous to consult with a pressure group,
the group’s influence is guaranteed.
Due to their specialist knowledge, groups such as BMA & NFU can be called upon to
supply govts with specialised information to help them reach informed decisions.
Insider status can be determined by political circumstances.
1970s – trade unions so powerful that the general secretary of the Transport and
General Workers Union was once called ‘the most powerful man in Britain’ for the
influence he wielded with prime ministers.
Interests of Trades Union Congress remain closely aligned with Labour – more likely
to be influential under Labour govt.
Groups that represent big business (Institute of Directors) or that endorse tax cuts
(Taxpayers’ Alliance) are generally influential under Tory govt.
Growing significance of environmental issues – contemporary politicians more likely
to consult environmental groups. – Commons Environmental Audit Committee
regularly consults with the Green Alliance which provides advice on environmental
protection.
, Developing consensus in favour of LGBTQ+ rights – groups such as LGBT Foundation
have increased influence within govt. – e.g., 2021 – Scottish govt announced
consulting with LGBTQ+ groups over plans to ban conversion therapy.
Wealth –
Wealthy groups have financial resources to employ researchers, operate offices close
to important points of government access & arrange meetings with MPs.
Does not guarantee success if interests do not align with the government’s but does
provide group with a powerful voice among decision-makers.
CBI represents 190,000 UK businesses employing nearly 7 million. – considerable
wealth allows it to employ over 100 policy researchers.
Institute of Directors (representing business leaders and entrepreneurs) is very
wealthy – operates offices in 12 regions across the UK & Isle of Man & Guernsey.
KEY EXAMPLE - Campaign on Child Poverty – financially well-resourced, runs offices
in London & Glasgow, employs a large staff of researchers and lobbyists. Strong
influence on decision-making – all leading parties at Westminster support its aims.
Reducing child poverty is a key policy objective of Welsh and Scottish govts.
Celebrity leadership –
Help it achieve popular recognition.
One of the reasons why Live Aid (1985) & Live Eight (2005) were so successful –
closely associated with singer-songwriter Bob Geldof.
Actor & writer Stephen Fry provides a public face for the Mind mental health
campaign for LGBTQ+ rights.
Marcus Rashford – all school children in households accessing universal credit to
have free school meals.
Social media –
New opportunities for pressure groups to engage with the public.
E.g., Amnesty International, Oxfam & Friends of the Earth have a considerable
influence online – where people increasingly access and spread ideas.
Platforms such as Twitter or Instagram provide a valuable way of keeping the public
informed of a pressure group’s activities. Their websites usually provide
opportunities to donate, sign petitions & give information on getting involved in
national and regional campaigns.
Way of mobilising public support – ‘clickocracy’ – internet enables the public to
engage with pressure groups purely online.
E.g., 38 Degrees provides a forum for its members to launch their own online
campaigns. Slogan ‘people, power, change’ can focus public attention on local issues
such as protecting green spaces or on national campaigns such as encouraging the
govt to introduce a drinks-container recycling scheme.
Direct action –
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