Strategies of Pressure Groups

Strategies of hale Groups drive GroupsRobert HassamBritain is often referred to as a homogenous society as the public tend to divide similar governingal views. However, more recently, there has been a decline in membership in semi semipolitical parties and an increase in the membership of ram crowds. In this essay I intention to define obligate groups, analyse their role and importance to British democracy. According to Dun dope Watts, a mechanical press groups flush toilet be described as an organised group which seeks to influence government policy, protect or give a particular ca substance ab physical exertion or sake. They can also be described as interest groups, lobby groups or protest groups. However slightly people avoid using the term squeeze group as it may inadvertently be interpreted as meaning the groups single-valued function actual closet to achieve their aims, which does not necessarily happen. shove groups be distinct from political parties in that th ey do not seek political power, instead they aim to influence those already in power.The term pressure group is relatively recent, however voluntary organisations deliver been attempting to influence policy ever since the late 18th Century. A typical typesetters case of this, is The Society for Effecting the abolishment of the Slave Trade. Which was founded in 1787 under William Wilberforce, and successfully achieved its objective to abolish slavery in 1807. A pressure group may be a huge organisation such(prenominal) as the British health check examination Association (BMA), which stand represents doctors both indivi doublel(a)y and collectively on a wide variety of utilization issues, or it may be a single-issue local anaestheticly based organisation like CLARA (Central Area Leamington Residents Association), which represents little than 300 households drawing to preserve and improve the town of Leamington Spa. wedge groups argon not only elevated by size, cause, and aim but also by the levels of extremism, such as the Animal Liberation Front, which has a great deal indulged in illegal activities to further its aims and objectives. pressure groups may also excite strong links to political parties such as the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), which perk up links to the Labour government and bedevil regular contact with cabinet ministers. (Jones Norton, 2010) weighure groups ar divided into the following sub-groups causal (or promotional) groups, sectional (or Protection) groups and also how close they argon to the government k straight offn as either Insider or Outsider groups. Causal groups are involved with a particular issue or issues and serve this cause by promoting it. These groups motley in size and aims, which can be permanent such as friends of the earth who continually campaign for their particular cause or they can be temporary such as CND, the campaign for thermonuclear disarmament who would disperse if their cau se was attained or irreversibly lost. Sectional groups represent and further the interests of a particular part of society and as a result the members of these groups are more directly concern with the outcome of the campaign at hand as they usually stand to suck up roughthing (professionally, economically). Therefore membership is usually limited to the sole members of that particular group of the population and aim to involve all those that are eligible to join. Insider groups project strong links with decision makers and are regularly consulted. They are the groups that the government local and national considers to be legitimate and are, therefore, given access to decision makers. This category includes the National Farmers sum of money (NFU) and the police force, as they are involved in the consultation process as a matter of ancestry when government proposals relevant to their activities are discussed. An outsider group is one that operates outside the government, the y have no superfluous links with them but they still seek to influence decision makers by (usually) mobilizing public opinion, an example would be Fathers 4 justice. Theyre generally not involved in the Law Making process and so dont have a chance to influence legislation. This may be due to previous protests or demonstrations which have make their relationship with the government hostile. Generally, Insider groups would be more successful that outsider groups because of the influences that they do hold and the power they have to change the decisions made by the government. (Jones Norton, 2010) (http//www.bbc.co.uk/ snowflakeesize/higher/modern/uk_gov_ political science/central_gov/revision/4/)Pressure groups act as intermediaries mingled with the government and the public. This role has perish increasingly important as the scope and complexity of politics have increased and as it has become more difficult for political parties alone to perform all the phonation functions. This means that they act as a spokesman or negotiators on behalf of clearly defined sectional interests, for example the National Farmers Union which acts on behalf of farmers or the British Medical Association which acts on behalf of medical professionals or doctors. Additionally pressure groups ease governments to create and actualize their approaches by entering into detailed consultations on recommendations for administrative action or legislation and in this way by conveying a nib of public consent to the output of policy and decision making processes. For example, accommodation has had an extensive impact on housing legislation over the years, the Child Poverty Action Group has consistently pressed for changes to help the poor and particularly families with children. Pressure groups empower new concerns and issues to achieve the political agenda, thereby facilitating social advance and avoiding social stagnation, for instance the womens and environmentalist vogues. Pressure gro ups build social cohesion and political constancy by providing almost a safety net for people and collective demands. (Forman and Baldwin, 2007)For m both years, pressure groups in Europe work ated at or below the level of the state. On the other hand, they have been dynamic in the EU since its formation, playing a significant role in its political improvement and policy making. The movement of political power towards the EU has implied that more power is progressively being transferred to Brussels. Hence pressure groups are increasingly turning to Brussels to campaign on issues as issues have a tendency to work on a worldwide level such as global warming. Pressure groups can now impact choices made on a worldwide level. The rapid rise of multinational originations also implies these companies have influence on a global level. Hence people need to campaign through pressure groups to impact them on key issues like child labour and free trade. (Watts, 2008)Quite a bit of what the pu blic thinks about politics originates from the activities of pressure groups. They empower political instruction and sneak political awareness. They beam significate resources to carrying out research, maintaining websites, remarking on government approaches and using high profile and expert individuals to get over their perspectives. An example would be Bob Geldof and the Live Eight concerts held in 2005 in ten cities, which was designed to put pressure on the G8 leaders to tackle global poverty. Pressure groups likewise leave a means for cooperation in local politics between elections. For instance, in 1994 the A452 Coordination Group campaigned to block plans by Warwickshire County Council to make the A452 a dual carriageway. After the groups exceptional campaigning, the board dropped the arrangements. . (Forman and Baldwin, 2007) (http//www.historylearningsite.co.uk/what_are_pressure_groups.htm)The strategies and methods utilized by pressure groups can influence its success s uch as advertise. Pressure groups endeavor to impact public opinion through the media and mass communication including strategies of advertising and public relations. Groups that use advertising campaigns such as NSPCC and GOSH (Television advertisement campaigns) appeal to a wide consultation which often make the group a household name. Another technique utilized by pressure groups is lobbying. Lobbying is the art of cultivating and influencing the opinions of policy-makers, such as MPs and Lords. Methods of lobbying vary and can range from sending letters, making presentations, providing brief material to Members and organised rallies. Another method used by pressure groups is participating in packaging stunts. In 2008, Greenpeace battled against the 3rd runway at Heathrow Airport by breaking into the air terminal and protesting on top of one of the planes, this generated a lot of media coverage and attention from both the general population and the government. The use of publi c demonstrations can also aid the success of a pressure group, which can be seen from the 2010 NUS (National Union of Students) demonstration against the rise in university fees in London, this was exceptionally advertised and the group drew a spacious amount of attention, nonetheless it didnt impact the government and the rise in fees still occurred. Pressure groups also raise petitions which can lead to success, for example the National Trusts petition against the government selling forestry lands which was a success as Cameron dropped the proposals not long after the petition was presented. Pressure groups that use strategies and methods widely are more fain to be effective rather than groups that sit back and are not involved in any public demonstrations or petitions such a Tentelini, a group that isnt known to use any methods to gain attention or to influence the government.(http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7338875.stm) (http//www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20412792)A pres sure groups can use a variety of different methods to influence equity. Firstly, it can merely educate legislators of its members inclinations. fleck it may well give money or time to help with an election campaign. Third, its members may peril, as a group, to vote as a block. By doing this they guarantee to help a cooperative legislator, and threaten to harm a non-cooperative legislator. Fourth, a pressure group may speed up legislation by writing bills and helping legislators make progressive agreements. Finally, a pressure group my attempt to influence members of the executive, who have some law making input and who can partly decide the strength and effectiveness of law enforcement. (Coxall and Robins, 1998)For some, pressure groups are a fundamental part of democracy. To others, pressure groups undermine the whole principle of democracy. state is a system of government where decisions are arrived at by majoritarian principles with representatives elected at periodic electio ns where political equality and political opportunity permit the voter a compelling decision between competing candidates in a secret ballot. Arguments are present on both sides of the debate on whether pressure groups are beneficial for the government, and democracy. These arguments are typically focused upon Elitist and Pluralist belief systems, which differentiate one another in footing of thoughts. Elitists believe that the utilization of pressure groups threaten democracy, with the opinion of parties becoming too extreme in their views of which they become involved in criminalised activities, exert forced influence onto the general public, and the concept of innocent lives being harmed in the process of the pressure groups protests. Pluralists however, consider pressure groups to promote democracy with the use of individuals participating more in politics, and the focus of particular issues raised by the group to the government. Pluralists believe that pressure groups overcome the democratic shortage that builds up thereby enhancing the quality of democracy by increasing participation and access to the political system. Pressure groups complement and supplement electoral democracy in two main ship canal by providing a vital form of citizen influence of the government between elections and enabling societys variety of opinions is known. Pressure groups are the objective way to influence decisions in a free society. Freely operating pressure groups are crucial to the effective functioning of liberal democracy in three main ways they serve as a voice between government and society, they disperse political power and provide an important counterweight and balance to political power which is particularly important with the two main political parties the Conservative Party and the Labour party. Pressure groups improve the responsibilities of decision makers to electorates if enough impact is made. (Joyce, 2010)Although its undeniable that pressure groups play a vital role in British politics particularly in straight offs less differential society, perhaps its not the suggested one of the pluralist model. For example, pressure groups do enhance interest however in an unequal way, benefiting the powerful and organised and disadvantaging the weak and disorderly. The groups themselves may not be representative of their members as many members views are overlooked if they dont comply with the ideologies of the leaders or decision makers of that group. The methods of influence some groups use build social discontent and political instability by intensifying social thwarting and injustice felt by certain sections of the population. This can disregard the benefit of the whole of the community and this soma of civil disobedience cant be justified in todays democratic system.In conclusion, pressure groups can both detract from and strengthen democracy to a certain extent. Pressure groups are an essential belongings of any democracy, yet they c an endanger it if sectional groups undermine the public interest or if the methods they use are corrupt or intimidating. Lastly in my humble opinion, I think pressure groups are a fundamental part of any democratic society, serving as a voice between the elite and the customary citizens. However I question, if pressure groups where not influential in British politics, would the voices of common citizens be heard or even considered by the elite minority such as politicians?BibliographyBitesize, B.,n.d. Pressure Groups. (Online) Available at(http//www.historylearningsite.co.uk/what_are_pressure_groups.htm)(Accessed on 07th of April 2015)Bitesize, B,.n.d. Government Politics. (Online) Available at(http//www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/higher/modern/uk_gov_politics/central_gov/revision/4/)(Accessed on 07th of April 2015)Bitesize, B,.n.d. UK Politics. (Online) Available at(http//news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7338875.stm)(Accessed onBitesize, B,.n.d. Education. (Online) Available at(http//www.b bc.co.uk/news/education-20412792)(Accessed onJones, B., M., Nortan, P. (2010) Politics UK, 7th Edition. London Pearson Education Ltd.Watts, D. (2008) The European Union. Edinburgh Edinburgh University Press Ltd.Forman, F.N., Baldwin, D.J. (2007) Mastering British Politics, 5th Edition. Basingstoke MacMillan Press Ltd.Coxall, B., Lyton, R. (1998) Contemporary British Politics, 3rd Edition. Basingstoke PalgraveJoyce, P. (2010) Understanding Politics, 3rd Edition. London Hodder Education.