Politics essay plan
Evaluate the view that the influence of think tanks, lobbyists, pressure groups and
corporations in the UK is damaging its democratic system.
Yes No
Lobbyists
The level of expertise granted by some Corporations
insider pressure groups may be beneficial Think tanks- undermine democracy by
as they represent interests of certain pushing policies favoured by powerful
groups - The National Union of Farmers, the corporate interests.
and the British Medical Association (BMA) prominent American politician Jim DeMint
influence the govt. and are sought out by was asked why he gave up his seat in the
the govt. Views in line with govt- ‘elected’ Senate to become president of the Heritage
by the public.(c.p- The govt is elected via Foundation, a conservative think tank in
FPTP, so even if views align those of govt.- Washington DC, he replied that the new job
doesn’t represent wider nation.)(C.P-c.p- would give him greater influence on politics
represent sector of nation- don’t influence and policymaking than his elected office
whole policy, multiple views are good for had.
democracy)
Results from pressure groups benefit UK as Tufton street coroporations and think
a whole – democratic. BMA managed to tanks, close collection closely tied to
pressure the government to increase ministers, sidestepping regulatins on
spending on the NHS under a plan that campaign donations- able to buy minister ,
would increase spending by 3.4% per considerable impact on brexit negotiations,
annum from 2019 to 2024. aligning with US corporations, essentially
pushing for libertarian politics and intense
CBI, which speaks on behalf of British deregulation of the markets, ties to
businesses, managed to pressure the ministers, jacob ress mogg, gove, johnson,
government to give more powers to able to buy the media. IEA Mark littlewood
devolved governments. ‘offered access to ministers’ leave
campaign leaders, close ties to tufton street
In 2018, the Northern Ireland Civil Service , matthew elliot tax payers allegiance and
was provided more powers by the UK legatum
government
George Monbiot, a left-wing British
Pressure groups increase public awareness commentator- lobbying groups in disguise
and political particiption via campaigns – that undermine democracy by pushing
XR, breaking windows of Barclays policies favoured by the powerful corporate
Fathers for Justice, Pillars of democracy interests who bankroll them
may be upheld via the multitude of voices
in British politics awarded by pressure International Institute for Strategic Studies
groups-political participation. (IISS)- signed a multi-year funding contract
worth at least £25 million with the Persian
Think tanks- enrich the democratic space by Gulf monarchy of Bahrain. The documents
conducting policy research, developing also revealed both sides had pledged to
policy options, facilitating dialogue keep most of the donations secret.
,between diverse stakeholder groups, and TobaccoTactics, the Adam Smith Institute,
stimulating public debates, regardless of the Centre for Policy Studies, and
whether they pursue an ideological agenda. the Institute for Economic Affairs have all
More think tanks are better for democracy previously received undisclosed funding
from tobacco companies, and all have
Democratic benefits of think tanks are produced research that was then used to
based on their financial transparency. lobby against stronger anti-smoking
Many think tanks such as Tax Justice regulations.
Network, overseas development institute
and development initiatives are awarded as Lack of regulations regarding financial
being ‘Highly transparent’. by transparify. transpareny of think tanks (classified as
positive contribution is undermined by a charities), make it a systemically awarded
minority of opaque outfits that threaten to possibility to diminish democracy.-
give think tanks as a whole a bad name.- influence harms democracy.
mainly positive
Revolving door- Many alumni and past
2014, the Transparency of Lobbying, Non- associates of Policy Exchange are now
Party Campaigning and Trade Union members of Parliament or hold key
Administration Act (2014), which mandated advisory positions in Government.
that all lobbying activities are registered- Revolving door also seen with lobbying- 52
(cp- clause 2 of act shrinks space of citizens former ministers practice today work for
to express collective will -UN) such firms. Francis Maude, for example, a
former MP and Minister of Industry worked
• Insulate UK is an important group - it as an advisor for the OakNorth Bank and
engages in direct action and often breaks the business intelligence firm GPW. All of
the law. • UKUNCUT were quite an this shows that lobbyists do wield a lot of
important group during austerity. • Their influence over politics and, oftentimes,
direct action protests forced companies have direct links and connections to
that avoid paying corporation tax like politicians.
Starbucks to repay £2m to the Treasury. •
But also it’s worth talking about ‘new’ Opaque ‘think tanks’ working the
pressure groups such as Marcus Rashford’s Westminster lobbying circuit seem to have
free school meal campaign. • He acted as a considerable financial backing. Collectively,
‘one man’ campaign, but reinforced the they spend more than £22 million of dark
campaigning done by more established money every year to shape public debates
pressure groups like BiteBack2030 • The and influence politics and policies in Britain
CBI was able to influence the government
decision to simplify travel restrictions to opaque organisations not only push out
red countries and the rest of the world in their policy prescriptions via Facebook,
2021. • The BMA successfully campaigned Twitter and public events, but they also
for a 2% rise to dr’s wages post pandemic. • continue to receive extensive media
The BMA won judicial review which coverage, including by the BBC. In addition,
overturned regulations that gave the UK research published by think tanks regularly
Secretary of State for Health and Social finds its way into the academic literature. If
Care the power to suspend the payment of academics do not check the source’s
pensions beneifts to any doctors/ NHS funding transparency beforehand, this
professional charged with certain criminal opens the door to idea laundering.
,offences- but not yet convicted • Stonewall
contributed to numerous policies/ laws think tanks can only be influential if their
regarding to LGBT community eg LGBT respective ideologies is in power.- only one
inclusive teaching in national curriculum, sided debate. Conservatives hold most of
protection from discrimination at work and the power, left-wing think tanks, such as
right for same-sex couples to get married. • the Fabian Society and the Institute for
Amnesty International was involved in Public Policy Research, have almost no
campaigns including the rights of those in influence on government policies. Thus, the
care homes during the covid 19 lockdowns influence of think tanks depends heavily on
In three months 18,562 people living in who is in power.
Care Homes died with COVID-19. •
Petitioned for an enquiry. High court stated Existence of lobbying- undemocratic in
sending positive covid patients home was nature. lobbying remains a large and active
unlawful. • CAGE UK= group campaigning business with almost 2 billion pounds spent
to empower Muslims and against ATL, little by corporations per year
influence on gov policies, mainly due to lack
of electoral power, only 4.3% Muslims in LSE- determined British politics to be under
UK, account for a small minority corporate state capture.
Shift to neo-liberal ideology in uk politics
This argument could be undermined by the has meant that To regulate political-
instances where pressure groups achieved corporate ties would have violated many of
their goals despite the views of big the core assumptions of the neoliberal
corporations. • For instance, Greenpeace project.
and numerous environmental pressure
groups were successful in delaying the For example, the ‘Transparency of
decision for a third runway at Heathrow. • Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and
This was despite support from major Trade Union Administration Act 2014’ was
airlines such as British Airways, EasyJet and made to enhance the transparency
Virgin Atlantic. • One can say that pressure surrounding lobbying. • Defenders of the
groups that have campaigned on free new register claim it will protect ministers
school meals such as Marcus Rashford’s and their senior civil servants from
campaign have been successful. • confusion and conflicts, as they will now
UKUNCUT and tax avoidance • This is know all the different interests represented
relevant evidence to be considered by the influencers for hire they meet. • On
however is not strong enough in the surface this seems to resolve the
comparison to the various examples of undemocratic influence lobbying holds
billions of pounds spent for corporations so however through further examination it is
we can maintain the view that corporations evident that this system only creates a false
are more influential in government policy. sense of transparency because it will not be
possible to tell from the information
Think tank – Joseph Rowntree Foundation disclosed who is lobbying whom, on what
2022 –UK poverty report, wide reaching issues, how much time and money is being
estimation of poverty and its impacts devoted to influencing the political process,
and what tactics are being used. •
International education – Justice laborator Moreover, the register only covers
2022 international law in africa consultant lobbyists’ direct contacts with
ministers and high-ranking officials which in
, RMT strikes- 9% payrise over 2 years practice is only a small part of lobbying
activity. • David Cameron did not break his
2022- The Kings fund, health and care act own law, because it is too weak. This allows
2022- better integrated healthj care- us to maintain the view that through
easier for health and care lobbying, corporations have significantly
more influence on government policy than
organisations to deliver pressure groups.
joined-up care for people
who rely on multiple Ties with corporations in govt. 2020 covid
crisis- Even as tens of thousands of people
different services, building on died needlessly of Covid-19 because of late
earlier recommendations by intervention, a VIP lane for procurement
NHS England and NHS was organised so that suppliers with
government contacts were ten times more
Improvement. likely to be awarded a procurement
contract than those who applied to the
Ammnesty international Department of Health and Social Care.
successes Private health insurance companies wanted
more money – sponsored think tanks.
insurers did turn to thinktanks, including
free-market advocates Reform. This has
lobbied for more "insurance-based private
funding" in the health service. Prudential,
the insurance giant behind PruHealth, was
Reform's most generous sponsor in
2012, investing £67,500 in the thinktank.
Owen Patterson, who was a Conservative
MP, was accused of lobbying on behalf of
Randox in 2021. • Patterson was being paid
£8,333 a month to be a consultant for
Randox, and in March 2020, Randox was
awarded a £133 million contract to produce
coronavirus tests. • No other firms were
invited to bid for the work. • Owen
Patterson also approached the Food
Standards committee ten times on behalf
of the company. • Owen Patterson was
suspended by the standards committees
for 30 days, as he did not register conflicts
of interests and lobbied on behalf of a
corporation. • He later had to resign. •
David Cameron, after resigning as prime
minister in 2016, became an advisor for
Greensill. • Throughout the covid
pandemic, he sent multiple texts to Rishi
