- INEQUALITY
- Some groups are far more influential than others – more status/links/money – can
- amplify the interests of the wealthy and lead to tyranny of the minority.
- Groups with insider status are more influential e.g., the BMA and the Institute of
- Directors are consulted frequently by the Department of Health and the Treasury.
- Whereas the Stop the War Coalition organised mass rallies and activities to stop the
- invasion of Iraq in 2003, however, with a large majority and cross-party support in
- parliament, they were able to resist the pressure and ignore the demands.
- Groups that represent large groups have access to funds that allow them to maintain
- a permanent workforce and launch big campaigns – e.g., the CBI represents 190,000
- businesses.
- 2.HINDER GOVERNMENT
- It is arguable that the need to consult and listen to a wide range of competing pressure groups can make it difficult for the government to make progress.
- Indeed, many pressure group methods (like strikes and protests) delay and constrain the legislative process further.
- Michael Gove’s decisions in January 2016 to scrap plans to cut the number of legal aid contracts by two-thirds, and to halt the implementation of a second wave of cuts to legal fees paid to legal aid lawyers, demonstrate the ability of pressure groups to hold up, or even defeat, plans.
- Gove’s decisions came following 99 separate legal challenges, which he said would result in years of uncertainty whilst these cases are heard in court.
- Creates an increasingly ‘hyper-pluralist’ state – groups are so numerous, and so
- influential, that the government cannot function effectively.
- 3.UNBALANCED ARGUMENTS
Pressure groups are focussed on their own interests or causes, potentially at the
expense of what is in the interest of the country as a whole – Fathers 4 Justice were
incredibly one-sided during their campaigning, and perhaps didn’t consider the views
of the mothers, or the courts, but purely their own.
Some could consider this to be a selfish approach towards campaigning, and it goes against the aims of democracy, as it doesn’t promote freedom for everyone’s views and opinions.
- In a bid to gather support or increase publicity, pressure groups may oversimplify complex issues and mislead the public.
- Furthermore, increased engagement through social media can result in ‘clicktivism’, and limited genuine engagement in complex concerns.
In January 2017, over 1.8 million people signed an e-petition attempting to stop US President Donald Trump from meeting with the Queen during an official State Visit. Critics argued that the ensuing debate was a waste of Parliament’s time.