Pressure groups are made up of people concerned with the protection or advancement of a shared interest. Unlike political parties which have policies covering many issues, pressure groups wish to influence government only on specific policies.
Although the term 'pressure group' is fairly new, there is historical evidence citing The Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade as being responsible for abolishing the slave trade back in 1807. Nevertheless, it was the Anti-Corn Law League's success in 1846 in overturning legislation that benefited landowners at the expense of the rest of society that set a precedent. By showing that the poor and weak can triumph over the rich and powerful while at the same time establishing a model for doing so (Jones and Norton, 2010).
In the modern world, society has become increasingly complex and diverse which is reflected in the myriad of pressure groups today. Groups develop to defend and/or promote interests that may be affected by certain government policies. However, the relationship between these groups and governments are not always, perhaps not even usually adversarial. Ministers often lack the relevant information or expertise to draft wise policies, or indeed the authority to ensure that they are implemented effectively. In fact, the government needs the support or at the very least acceptance from these groups, to help legitimise policies and ensure their success. As the case of the 'poll tax' in 1990 showed, if groups involved in a new law refuse to cooperate and instead organise against it, that law can become unenforceable (Pilkington, 1998).
Pressure groups play an important role in the several stages of the policy process. Initially it may be them who raise an issue and put it on the political agenda. Then when the government sets out policy options for discussion (Green Papers) and proposals for legislation (White Papers), pressure groups may lobby back-benchers and civil servants. Finally, in Parliament, groups may influence the final form of legislation (Jones and Norton, 2010).
At the top of the agenda for most pressure groups is gaining access to the key policy makers – ministers and civil-servants. Grant (1985) describes groups that are consulted regularly as 'insider groups' while those who cannot gain access Whitehall are the 'outsider groups'. To come in from the cold and be one of the 'insiders', groups usually have to show one or more of the following traits: They have authority, demonstrated in the ability to organise the majority of their members. They are a reliable source of information and expertise. Their group's objectives are compatible with those in government. The objectives of the group are in line with the sympathy of the general public. They have a reliable track record and ability to fit in with the procedures and ethos of Whitehall. They possess powerful sanctions by having the ability to shut down or heavily disrupt society.
From this we can clearly see why for an individual with particular concerns, supporting pressure groups are more effective than supporting political parties. Parties cover many issues and the concern of the individual can get lost in the complexity of their many policies whereas the single-issue interests of the pressure groups ensure that their concerns remain at the top of the agenda of groups so heavily embedded into the political process.
References
Grant, W. (1985) 'Insider and outsider pressure groups', Social Studies Review, September 1985
Jones, B. and Norton, P. (2010) Politics UK, (7th ed), Pearson Education Ltd: London
Pilkington, K. (1998) Issues in British Politics, MacMillan: London
No comments:
Post a Comment