Outside groups:

Have little contact with decision-makers, for

reasons such as:

1. Outsiders by necessity – either too

small, under-funded, or unpopular
to develop relationship with
government (e.g., Fathers4Justice,
Occupy).
2. Ideological outsiders – aims and
methods are incompatible with
governments and who choose not
to work with decision-makers
based on ideology (e.g., Amnesty
Int’l)
3. Potential insiders – those with
good relationship with major
opposition and may become
insider with change of
government (e.g., Votes at 16)

Influence through mass media/public

campaigns.
Pressure groups: Functions of pressure groups:

Factors influencing pressure

Formal organisations groupwho
w/ members success: 1. provide public with access points to
share specific goals/interests, aiming to influence decision makers.
1. Government ideology/attitudes: how ‘in tune’ is the group with the govt, e.g., 750K
influence government policy/legislation. 2. Preform key role in policy formulation.
marched in London against 2003 Iraq War yet went ahead as govt supported it.
3. Hold government to account.
2. Income: amount of money it has to spend on lobbying, campaign materials, research.
4. Educate the public.
3. Size: lots of members/supporters often have more influence as it gives impression that
group’s aims are supported, large presence can’t be ignored.
Insider groups:
4. Organisation/tactics: civil disobedience, internet campaigns, lobbying, meetings.
Have close relationship
5. Pressure fromtorival
decision-makers, often is
groups: how strong the ‘official’
the grouptotothe
opposition a certain
group –cause/interest,
e.g., Forest
often consulted
(defendwhen new laws
smoker’s arevsbeing
rights) made – some move
ASH (anti-smoking), to outside/inside
a better funded, betterdepending
organised,onand
government moreof the day. Have
supported powerful
by public andand long-term
other influence.
groups like BMA.
6. Public opinion and the media: pressure from public opinion on government can
For example:
increase chances of success, e.g., 2019 YouGov, 54% are some degree opposed to
1. extinction
BMA – Britishrebellion
Medicalprotests, NSPCCC campaigns have widespread public support and
Association
2. soNFUgovt is sympathetic
– National Farmer’s to Union
its issues.
7. Celebrity endorsement: well-known
3. RSPCA – Royal Society for the Prevention supporters often
of Cruelty to provide
Animalsmore influence due to
large following from the public and attracting more attention, is hard to ignore, e.g.
Marcus Rashford and #MakeTheUTurn for FSM vouchers.
Sectional/interest groups:
8. Events: recent events often help a groups success, e.g., murder of George Floyd and
Brihanna Taylor helped encourage BLM’s movement in the UK
Represent particular section of society with
exclusive membership.
good for democracy bad for democracy
For
1. example:
Widen political participation: 1. Illegitimate power:
a. offer alternate ways to participate in a. pressure groups are not
1. BMApolitics
– British Medical
between Association
elections - are elected to make decisions that
2. TUCincreasingly
– Trade Union Congress
popular and allow those influence govt policy, is not
3. NFUwho – National Farmer’s
don’t/can’t vote Union
to take part. democratic to allow non-
4. NUS – National
2. Provide education: Union of Students elected groups influence
b. have the research and experts to decisions that affect society.
educate public and parliament. Help 2. Elitism within PG:
broaden
Cause/promotional views, better informed public,
groups: b. successful groups are often the
create an educated electorate who will richest with insider status
Fight for a particular cause needs
better reflect or issue,
of rather
society.than rather than the most popular
representing a group
3. Tyranny of majority: of society, inclusive groups, stopping real change as
membership. Influence through
c. represents minoritymass
voices (elderly, these groups defend govt
media/public students,
campaigns. BME, LGBTQ+) in areas interests.
dominated by the majority in 3. Tyranny of minority:
For example: parliament: e.g. Stonewall campaign for c. undermines democracy as
gay marriage, resulting in 2014
1. Greenpeace minority views are put before
legalisation under Cameron, Howard the majority
2. CND – Campaign for Nuclear
League and Prison Reform stopping
Disarmament
banning of books in prisons and drew
3. PETA – People for the Ethical
attention to welfare of prisoners after
Treatment of Animals
high suicide rates.
4. hold
4. Can Amnesty Internationalto account:
the government
d. pressure groups can provide a check and
balance on executive power.
Think tanks: Issues with think tanks:
Group of experts who investigate topics and develop 1. Have to be in line w/ govt
solutions/policies. Focus on narrow or broad fields across thinking to have real
economics, social policy, or political thought. Privately impact.
funded, non-profit. 2. Membership often young
people looking for ways
Left: Institute for Public Policy (advised New Labour)
into politics.
Neutral: Demos, Chatham House (Int’l affairs) 3. Lack academic rigour and
credibility of university
Right: Centre for Social Justice (Ian Duncan Smith –
research.
Universal Credit)

Lobbyists:

Lobbying scandals:
1. 2020, Cameron’s (an adviser at Greensill)
attempt to persuade ministers to allow Greensill
to join Corporate Covid Financing Facility (CCFF),
allowing the company to issue loans, insured by
the government, to help firms through the
pandemic – suggested he made £3.29m.
2. 2009, Truscott and Taylor recorded by
undercover Sunday Times reporters saying they
would help to amend a bill going through
parliament in return for a fee.
3. 2012, Cruddas, resigned after undercover
newspaper operation found he had told would-
be party donors that a “premier league” sum of
more than £200,000 would grant them direct
access at social events to Cameron and Osborne.
4. 2023, Cons MP Benton suspended for offering to
lobby for gambling investors – guaranteed
leaking gambling white paper before published,
boasted easy access to ministers.
Corporations:
Large companies that seek to lobby the govt to encourage
to legislate/not legislate in certain areas.
e.g.: Uber’s heavy lobbying to convince public and
authorities that transport for London had made the
wrong decision in revoking license in London.
Bring mass employment and use this to get favourable
terms by threatening relocation.
Can’t campaign for candidates/parties.
Professionals paid by
people/organisations/interest
groups seeking access and
influence over MPs, Lords, Civil
Servants, and Ministers.
Corruption - journalists have
trapped MPs by posing as
lobbyists offering financial
rewards in exchange for influence
– breaking code of conduct.
2014 – lobbyists have to register
activities to improve
transparency, prevent corruption,
bribery.
Large industry – 114 firms, 4000
people, worth £2bn a year.
UK govts deny lobbying has
impact on spending/policy –
however is unclear.
Case of ‘who you know’ (old boys
network) rather than ‘what you
know’.
Revolving door:
Swapping between politics and
lobbying as they have the
contacts e.g., David Cameron,
George Osborne (editor of
Evening Standard, advisory post
at BlackRock)