...Are Pressure Groups Good For Democracy? Pressure groups are political associations that are filled with liked minded individuals who aim to promote and protect the interest of a section of the community, or promote a particular cause in order to influence the government and their decisions. Examples of pressure groups include the country side alliance which preserve to protect the country side, others include the anti abortion organisation Life which seeks to prevent the bill that allowed the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Pressure groups like this create things such as petitions,in fact Life had over 2 million names and they would also compile post card campaigns. These are few methods, demonstrations, marches and sit ins in popular areas such as outside parliament are also very popular and effective as it causes disruption and demands media attention. Pressure groups can be seen as good for democracy in many ways. Democracy is the idea of enhancing the view of the people and trying to get them to engage Into political participation through methods such as voting at elections. Pressure groups allow greater education from a different perspective, informing and educating the public about important issues. This may be things like fracking and the pressure group Greenpeace who educate through the media on the issue and what the negatives are which the government do not want to say in order to have a certain amount of consent from the electorate. In addition to this...
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...“The wealthier and closer the pressure group is to the government the more successful they are” A. How far do you agree? Pressure groups are organizations, which attempt to influence the government from outside, this means that they do not put candidates up for election and instead act as a bridge between the people and government. The are many different types of pressure groups ranging from wealthy insider groups like the B.M.A. to less wealthy outsider groups like Amnesty International. The wealthier and closer the pressure group is to the government the more successful they are. The success of the British Medical Association (B.M.A.) suggests that the wealthier and closer the pressure group is to the government the more successful they are. The B.M.A. is a voluntary association that speaks up for the interests of doctors at home and abroad, provides a range of services for its members and engages in scientific research. These activities involve lobbying not only the British government but also the European Union as well. The B.M.A. is undoubtedly one of the most influential and effective pressure groups as they have great influence over the policies of the British government regarding the health care system in matters such as the pay and training of doctors, the work of GP’s and hospitals, and the quality and quantity of medical facilities. This supports the view that the wealthier and closer the pressure group is to the government the more successful they are...
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...Are interest groups in the USA too powerful? Interest groups are an organised pressure group in which members hold similar beliefs and actively pursue ways to influence government. Unlike political parties, which seek to win control of government, pressure groups are principally interested in influencing those to determine policy. There are different structures of pressure groups within the United States, for example there is a predominance of business groups, the larger pressure groups (e.g. NRA) tend to have a wider scope of insider activity and the evolution of associated Political Action Committees by focusing on the funding side. In this essay I am defining ‘too powerful’ as something that is a hindrance to democracy. On the one hand there is the pluralist view on pressure groups. Many believe they provide true representation for the ordinary citizens between the long stretches of elections. Interest groups provide a valuable addition to any democracy in which the range of views and beliefs can be heard and fed into the decision-making process. Pressure groups highlight the inherent value of the first amendment to the constitution, which formally protects the freedom of speech and the right to petition for the remedy of grievances. In this light, pressure groups can effectively never be too powerful, as they are providing a source for ordinary citizens to participate in politics, which they normally don’t get to do between elections. Pressure groups offer many forms of...
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...Pressure groups play an important part in the current political system in that it is these organisations who attempt to influence public opinion and shape policy in relation to a particular issue. Pressure groups are associations that may be formal or informal whose purpose is to further the interests of a specific section of society or to promote a certain cause. Democracy is the idea that the people’s views are represented. There has been the argument of whether pressure groups enhance or do not enhance democracy in a country. Pressure groups can be seen as being undemocratic since pressure groups are unelected and unrepresentative. This can be seen in the way in which the leaders or officers are appointed. This is because, unlike conventional politicians, pressure group leaders are not elected, and as a result, many people believe that pressure groups do not put forward the views of all of their members and thus can make a decision without getting the entire group’s backing. Pressure groups are therefore not publicly accountable which means that the influence they exert is not democratically legitimate or that pressure groups may not represent their members fully. Trade unions have often been criticised for this, particularly in the 1980s. Thus, due to pressure groups being unelected and unrepresentative of the people, this can be seen as a threat to democracy. Another way that pressure groups can be a threat to democracy is that decision makers have their own political...
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...Mark Scheme (Results) January 2012 GCE Government & Politics (6GP01) Paper 01 PEOPLE AND POLITICS Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications Edexcel and BTEC qualifications come from Pearson, the world’s leading learning company. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information, please call our GCE line on 0844 576 0025, our GCSE team on 0844 576 0027, or visit our qualifications website at www.edexcel.com. For information about our BTEC qualifications, please call 0844 576 0026, or visit our website at www.btec.co.uk. If you have any subject specific questions about this specification that require the help of a subject specialist, you may find our Ask The Expert email service helpful. Ask The Expert can be accessed online at the following link: http://www.edexcel.com/Aboutus/contact-us/ Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere Our aim is to help everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at: www.pearson.com/uk January 2012 Publications Code US030541 All the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education...
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...How political system can influence on the growth? The most common arguments are: property rights, pressures for immediate consumption and autonomy of dictatorship. While there is an agreement that respecting property rights helps the economy, it is controversial which system is more efficient, concerning this problem. Pressures for immediate consumption are considered to be the main reason while democracy may hinders the growth. In opposite, there is a third argument – autonomy of dictatorship. Dictators do not have to handle with pressures made by different interest groups, however there is no reason why dictator would like to maximize total output, not his own. In the further part of this essay, these problems are discussed more deeply. There is not under discussion among the economists that property rights are one of the most important factors which influence on the growth. However, there is no clear prove that democracy project them. The strong state can protect property from private intruding but at the very same time it is a potential threat itself. If we consider countries like the USA or the United Kingdom – the most developed democracies in the world, of course we may conclude that their elected democratic governments, no matter if from left or right party, are not a danger for property rights. However, in such countries the respect for property rights is obvious and it has almost no influence on the growth anymore...
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...Edexcel: Government & Politics, Unit 1, Pressure Groups Pressure Groups Definition: “an organisation which seeks to influence a comparatively small range of public policies and which is not attributed to a recognized political party.” Function of Pressure Groups Governing process: they play a key role in the governing process. They are involved in all stages of the policy making process, ensuring the interests of the public are taken into account. Representative function: they either represent; Sections of the public The interests of the general public. (They claim) Educative function: they help to educate/inform the public and the government about politically important issues. Opportunities: they provide more opportunity for political participation than parties do. Scrutinize: they often scrutinize legislation, giving suggestions on how it may be improved. Tension release: pressure groups provide an outlet for people’s emotions, particularly if they are strong ones about certain issues (for example, the Iraq war, dog hunting etc.) This is a highly important function, as it helps maintain a peaceful society, as people can channel their emotions in a non-violent way. Types of Pressure Group Insider: a pressure group that has strong links with decision makers and are regularly consulted on areas of policy. They are so called because they work inside the political system through MPs, peers and committees. They may have this access because...
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...Democracy and participation: Democracy = a political system based on the idea that government should serve the interests of the people. Legitimacy = the extent to which a government has the right to rule and exercise power. Power vs. Authority: * Power= the ability to make someone do something that they would not do of their own free will * E.g - Coercion – the use of force to achieve ends – the military * Authority = the right to exercise power (based on the consent of those being ruled) * E.g - Legal/rational – HOC * E.g – Traditional – HOL Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media What makes a government legitimate? * Referendums (‘Yes’ answers) * High turnout * Free, fair and regular elections * Lack of dissent * Displays of public support How legitimate is the UK? Legitimate | Not legitimate | * House of Commons is elected | * Electoral system unfair and distorts political representation (FPTP) | * Government elected with mandate to govern | * Every government elected has only achieved the minority of the popular vote | * House of Lords has traditional authority...
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...Pressure groups Proper roles/functions 1. Representation. Representation for specific stuff that may not be reflected by the party you vote for. Eg. US: NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) or in the UK Countryside Alliance which defends fox hunting. 2. Participation. Increase participation outside elections and also in specific policy area. Eg. US: NRA (National Rifle Association) or in the UK Fathers4Justice 3. Education. Provide education on issues that the government decides to not directly address. Eg. Branches of US or UK Greenpeace 4. Agenda setting. Influence policy discussed by legislatures or the executive. Eg. UK: 38 Degrees rejection of 2012 NHS Bill. US providing voting cues for party members eg. Democracts may adhere to voting cues from ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) 5. Scrutiny. Scrutiny of government action and Supreme Court decisions (mainly in the US). Eg. US: ACLU & NRA court cases to monitor the affects of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act 2002. UK: UK Uncut protests in Oct 2011 against the NHS Bill. Pressure group methods 1. Influence politicians. Eg. US: lobbying members of Congress, providing voting cues. UK: BMA and Royal College of Physicians urge PM to scrap NHS Bill. 2. Endorsement. Eg. US Mitt Romney attended NRA 2011 National convention. National Right to Life endorsed McCain in 2008. Also through donations to PACs. UK: 2010 Unite donated £1m to Labour party to support...
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...Peer pressure From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Peer pressure is influence that a peer group, observers or individual exerts that encourages others to change their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform the group norms. Social groups affected include membership groups, in which individuals are "formally" members (such as political parties and trade unions), or social cliques in which membership is not clearly defined. A person affected by peer pressure may or may not want to belong to these groups. They may also recognize dissociative groups with which they would not wish to associate, and thus they behave adversely concerning that group's behaviors.[citation needed] Contents [hide] 1 In Youth 2 Asch conformity 3 The Third Wave 4 Neural mechanisms 5 Explanation 6 References In Youth[edit] Peers become an important influence on behavior during adolescence, and peer pressure has been called a hallmark of adolescent experience.[1][2] Peer conformity in young people is most pronounced with respect to style, taste, appearance, ideology, and values.[3] Peer pressure is commonly associated with episodes of adolescent risk taking (such as delinquency, drug abuse, sexual behaviors,[4] and reckless driving) because these activities commonly occur in the company of peers.[2] Affiliation with friends who engage in risk behaviors has been shown to be a strong predictor of an adolescent's own behavior.[5] Peer pressure can also have positive effects when youth are pressured...
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...Essay : To what extent does democracy in the UK suffer from a ‘participation crisis’? Political participation is defined as opportunities for and tendencies of the people to become involved in the political process. At a minimum level this will involve voting, but may also involve active work in political parties and pressure groups. At the higher/highest level it implies standing for public office. However with regards to the United Kingdom suffering from a participation crisis, I would like to agree. Simply because, there has been a low turnout at general elections, which undermines the mandate of the government and threatens the idea that the UK is a representative democracy. Between 1922 and 1997 turnout remained above 71%. At the 2001 general election the turnout was59.4%; in 2005 it was 61.4%; in 2010 it was 65.1%; and in 2015 it was66.1%. Various people may consider the minor increase in percentage but overall there has not been a significant increase. Key forms of participation, such as voting and party membership have declined significantly over time, but other newer, faster forms have arisen and are slowly becoming more popular to the newer generations such as Referendums, particularly in Scotland. Popular engagement with the formal processes and institutions of democracy has been in long – term decline since the 1960’s. The turnout in 2001 was the lowest; this is compared to how between 1945 and 1992 it was always about 75 percent. Through this, it can be seen that...
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...Abstract National League for Democracy shocks the Myanmar’s government by winning the 1990 election, and has become the symbol of democratization hope for the people ever since. This paper will reveal what have the NLD truly accomplished during the 1990-2010 period in the term of Myanmar’s democratization, and how effective it is as an opposition side. Chapter 1: Introduction Background Democracy has become a justification for governmental systems to lead themselves into good governance. It is believed that democracy is a part of the best governmental system, which can maintained its growth and stability by positive and pro-active attitude from its people (Rosyada, Jamil. 2005:113). This led to government openness by check and balances mechanism, which open the doors into good governance. The trend has finally reached Southeast Asia region in second half of the twentieth, thanks to third world democratization wave (1974-1990) classified by Samuel Huntington. Some of the nations are having dynamics to face democratization persistence to reduce centralistic power from the authoritarian. They are, to say: Indonesia, Filipina and Thailand. While Myanmar are having the exact opposite when their civilian government being overpowered by the military. However, the development of democracy culture in Myanmar is still highly hoped by its people, shown by the 1990 election where National League for Democracy, Myanmar’s Opposition party, won. Although the result of the election was...
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...International Business - Environments and Operations Part One Background For International Business Chapter 1 Globalization and International Business Introduction Globalization is the ongoing process that deepens and broadens the relationships and interdependence among countries. International Business is a mechanism to bring about globalization. (The term sometimes refers to the integration of world economies through the reduction of barriers to the movement of trade, capital, technology, and people. Throughout recorded history, human contacts over ever-wider geographic areas have expanded the variety of available resources, products, services, and markets. Today, so many different components, ingredients, and specialized business activities go into products that we’re often challenged to say exactly where they were made. Example: Japanese firm Matsushita furnishes the CD player in the Korean-manufactured Kia Sorento.) International business consists of all commercial transactions—including sales, investments, and transportation—that take place between two or more countries Increasingly foreign countries are a source of both production and sales for domestic companies (These global activities enable us to get more variety, better quality, or lower prices. Private companies undertake such transactions for profit while governments may undertake them either for profit or for political reasons.) Studying International Business is Important * Most companies are either...
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...BN2004/0601 Briefing note: IT IS TIME TO ACT ON BURMA 2 SHOULD THE SPDC BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH LIES? Patience & Flexibility 3 WHY ACT NOW? SPDC’s Broken Promises Lack of Democratic Progress Continuing Human Rights Abuses Releases from international pressure Security Concerns, Military Threat 4 PRESSURE WORKS Archbishop Desmond Tutu Daw Aung San Suu Kyi U Lwin, NLD Spokesman Asian Activists Malaysian Parliamentarians Sen. John McCain & HE Madeline Albright Sanctions Take Time Engagement is not working 6 WHAT THE REGIME IS BEING URGED TO DO 6 WHAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN DO 6 A BAN ON FINANCIAL REMITTANCES – THE PRACTICAL OPTION 7 A LIFELINE FOR THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT 7 A NON-VIOLENT BARGAINING CHIP 8 TAKING AIM AT SPDC’S ECONOMIC LIFELINES 9 CREATING DOMESTIC PRESSURE FOR CHANGE Undermining Moderates? 10 INSTIGATING REGIONAL ACTION 11 SPDC – FEIGNING REFORM & ROLLING OUT THE CHARM 11 DAMPENING EFFORTS Relabeling Enabling Remittances Business Diplomacy 13 SANCTIONS & SEX WORK Burma’s biggest pimp Increasing since 1988 Jumping the Gun Low Factory Wages Insufficient evidence Numbers of job losses disputed Job losses from capital flight Reforms needed 14 PEOPLE OF BURMA SUPPORT SANCTIONS 15 PREDICTIONS : Brief Chronology of ‘Predictions’ by the Thai Government 17 RECENT ARMS&...
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...Edexcel AS Politics Edexcel AS Politics ExamBuster 2009 Introduction to Unit 1- People and Politics Understanding the Examination and Exam Technique Choosing your questions In this unit you are presented with four questions. They are of equal value and each question covers one of the four sections of the specification. These are: Democracy and political participation Party policies and ideas Elections Pressure groups There is no significance to the order in which questions appear. Each question is divided into three sections (a), (b) and (c). When choosing which questions to do, the following principles are recommended: It is almost certain that you will be better off choosing your strongest question to do first. You should choose questions on the basis of how well you can answer the section (c) part. The (c) part carries 25 of the 40 marks available for the whole answer. Do not choose a question simply because you can do part (a) especially well. The (a) question is only worth 5 marks. It would be illogical to choose your strongest (a) part if you cannot do well on section (c). If you cannot decide between several (c) parts, i.e. you can do more than one equally well, make your choice on the basis of part (b) which carries 10 marks. But remember, it is the (c) parts that will determine most what your overall mark will be. So, when you first look at the exam paper, look at the (c) sections first. Assessment Objectives Each question is divided into three sections,...
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