Pressure Groups
What Determines Whether Pressure Groups will be Successful?
Insider/outsider Insiders have support of govt. May be relied upon to implement
policy (RSPB with conservation), so have huge influence, and a
constant channel with ministers. - they have ECONOMIC
LEVERAGE.
However, BMA’s strike action, typical to those of outsiders, has
gained far more effective response from govt.
Aims/Methods/Cou Whilst they can always raise attention to an issue, achieving their
ntervailing groups aims means that it needs to be achievable - Plane Stupid won’t (end
worldwide airplane use), but SNCG’s (Save the Huntingdon
Newchurch Guinea Pigs) aim of shutting down a farm supplying lab
animals did, despite using the often ineffective strategy of terrorism.
If public supports it, far more likely to succeed - Prison Reform
Society unlikely to succeed as not on Anthony Downs’ issue
attention cycle:
Strong groups against it can scupper their chances - ASH vs Forest,
public anti-smoking sentiment.
Ability to use social media, internet campaign - 38 degrees has 2.4
million members, led very successful e-petition campaigns,
including stopping cambridge library top floor shutting down.
Legitimacy/particip With enough support, and representing enough of their group (eg.
ation NFU and 80% of farmers), they seem far more potent to govt.
Badger culling pushed through despite resistance from
environmental groups. However Countryside alliance, whose
250,000 members represent a tiny fraction of total country people
and has been inneffective
Resources/celebrit More resources, better organised, able to do more things (fund
y judicial reviews, Brussels offices, Newspaper ads). - NO to AV side
endorsement/leade spent 50% more, won.
rship Celebrity endorsement allows it to be raised on Downs’ issue
attention cycle, gives vocal advocate - Lumley, Ghurka Justice;
What Determines Whether Pressure Groups will be Successful?
Insider/outsider Insiders have support of govt. May be relied upon to implement
policy (RSPB with conservation), so have huge influence, and a
constant channel with ministers. - they have ECONOMIC
LEVERAGE.
However, BMA’s strike action, typical to those of outsiders, has
gained far more effective response from govt.
Aims/Methods/Cou Whilst they can always raise attention to an issue, achieving their
ntervailing groups aims means that it needs to be achievable - Plane Stupid won’t (end
worldwide airplane use), but SNCG’s (Save the Huntingdon
Newchurch Guinea Pigs) aim of shutting down a farm supplying lab
animals did, despite using the often ineffective strategy of terrorism.
If public supports it, far more likely to succeed - Prison Reform
Society unlikely to succeed as not on Anthony Downs’ issue
attention cycle:
Strong groups against it can scupper their chances - ASH vs Forest,
public anti-smoking sentiment.
Ability to use social media, internet campaign - 38 degrees has 2.4
million members, led very successful e-petition campaigns,
including stopping cambridge library top floor shutting down.
Legitimacy/particip With enough support, and representing enough of their group (eg.
ation NFU and 80% of farmers), they seem far more potent to govt.
Badger culling pushed through despite resistance from
environmental groups. However Countryside alliance, whose
250,000 members represent a tiny fraction of total country people
and has been inneffective
Resources/celebrit More resources, better organised, able to do more things (fund
y judicial reviews, Brussels offices, Newspaper ads). - NO to AV side
endorsement/leade spent 50% more, won.
rship Celebrity endorsement allows it to be raised on Downs’ issue
attention cycle, gives vocal advocate - Lumley, Ghurka Justice;
