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pressure groups - methods & Influence (resources (Example: RSPCA…
pressure groups
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methods & Influence
methods
Insider groups
tend to negotiate quietly behind the scenes and using private contacts
lobby MPs to brief them on issues that affect their cause
Example
: Liberty (insider group) have lobbied lawyers on counter-terrorism policies that affect people's civil rights
Outsider groups
email campaigns, petitions, staging demonstrations and publicity stunts
they do this to grab attention as they lack contacts in gov.
Example
: black lives matter UK, they obstructed flights at london city airport in 2016 as a protest to their claims of "ethnic minorities are disproportinally affected by pollution"
resources
a large membership which pays subscriptions = offices, payment of staff and organised publicity
Example: RSPCA
employs 1600 people
supported by volunteers
can afford nationwdie publicity
size of pressure group's membership can also be important to persaude gov. that it reflects public opinion
tactics and leadership
experienced and capable leadership is key
accesses points - to exploit the UK's political system's weak points and to apply pressure to it hence the name 'pressure groups'
Example
: RSPCA + LACS (League Against Cruel Sports) + IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) managed to secure the ban on hunting with dogs in 2004
public support
pressure groups who match public opinion do better than those who dont
media coverage including celebrity endoresements can increase a campaigns clout
Example
: campiagned against the use of handguns in the UK which was succesful due to the 1996 Dunblane Massacre, backed so heavily due to the public joint condemnation of this attack
Governemnt attitudes
insider contacts with MPs and ministers can boost a pressure groups profile
Example
: National Farmers Union had links to 'DEFRA' (Department fore Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs) which was instrumental in bringing around the 2013 badger cull (intended to protect cattle aginst TB)
government will tend to listen more to a pressure group that has common ground with the gov. as they can supply the gov. with understanding, stats and specialist info to improve their understanding of their voters and public