All Politics Edexcel Essay Plans
Evaluate the extent that the actions of pressure groups have been significant in defending
and protecting our rights-para 1: influence over government (7) - correct answer--majority of
pressure groups unlikely to exert influence if not in line with aims of gov / majority opinion of
society - fails to enhance REPRESENTATIVE democracy
-Eg. Countryside Alliance fails to prevent passage of 2004 Hunting Act - because their views
not in line with dominant views in society
-if a pressure group represents a minority viewpoint, it is likely to be ignored by a government
who seek electoral success
-even if a pressure group does have substantial support, if it does not align with aims of a
clearly mandated majority gov, it is unlikely to exert legislative influence
-eg. In spite of the 'Million march' of 750,000 protesting against Iraq 2003 (largest ever), due
to Blair's desire to establish good relations between labor and the US republican party,
Operation Telic went ahead
-In spite of 80 UK uncut campaigns since 2010, they had little influence as Cameron gov
committed to austerity
-Therefore, it can be argued that pressure groups fail to enhance democracy as
governments are normally only receptive to groups which share their outlook and aims.
Evaluate the extent that the actions of pressure groups have been significant in defending
and protecting our rights-para 1: influence over government CP (10) - correct
answer--However, it is important to acknowledge that in many cases government policy U
turns have been forced by pressure groups which do not align with government aims.
-eg RSPCA employs over 1,600 staff and get national attention through full page ads - puts
pressure on gov through ability to influence public opinion -
-enhance democracy by informing the policy and activity of an elected gov and educating the
public on political issues, whilst also holding the government to account between elections
-after years of campaigning and public support, the RSPCA was influential in the passing
and implementation of the 2006 Animal Welfare Act (designed to prevent cruelty)
- RSPCA has a long history of caring for animals and so best placed to inform gov policy in
that area
-Pressure groups hold gov to account and ensure they are responsive to public opinion
between elections
-eg Campaigns by BMA and RCN were able to sucessfuly alter the government's stance on
Junior Doctor contracts through protests 2016, and regularly give evidence to select
committees
-also, Greenpeace had an influence of Corbyn - who cut 0 emissions target to 2035
-ensure an 'active dialogue' and enhances representative function by ensuring the actions of
the government reflect the needs of society
-pressure groups enhance democracy by acting as a direct point of communication between
the ever changing needs of the public and government, and providing invaluable education
to the electorate, ensuring informed and active citizens and responsive and continually
accountable government.
, para 2: inequality of influence (7) - correct answer--inequality of influence = lack of true
pluralism / (pressure group elitism)
- some 'ultra insiders' have disproportionate influence on gov whilst well financed pressure
groups invariably exert greater influence
-well funded pressure groups = gives access to 'political resources' - needed to run
successful campaign - afford lobbyists
-groups wealthy enough to employ lobbyists tend to enjoy heightened influence (NSPCC
employ's lobbying group ' Portland' to act on it's behalf)
- however, pressure groups can equally elevate the influence of other insider minority
groups, allowing them to wield overbearing influence over a majority (elitism)
- eg Motoring groups such as the Alliance of British driver's have had influence over air
pollution regulation and the National Farmer's Union works closely in Whitehall with DEFRA
-some have argued that Pressure groups are actually detrimental to democracy as they tend
to distort the influence of certain groups on government based on their wealth membership,
or insider status. However, the fact remains that pressure groups continue to offer extra
parliamentary support and representation to marginalised groups.
Para 3: enhance democracy (10) - correct answer--pressure groups enhance pluralist
democracy as, they all offer extraparliamentary representation and ensure that even Minority
viewpoints are amplified - counters elitism
- help to prevent 'tyranny of the majority' - represent DIVERSE viewpoints - essential to
pluralism
-eg Muslim Council of Great Britain - representing minority Muslim pop
-Shelter - represents homeless who otherwise lack agency / influence (they have no wealth
and are scattered across the nation)
- also, do not need substantial membership to be influential - eg Howard League for penal
reform has only 3000 members but was able effectively represent the rights of prisoners
when the gov was forced to U turn on introducing charges towards legal aid for prisoners
2015
-Pressure groups enhance principle of functional representation - lacking in traditional forms
of democracy and can serve to protect interests of minority groups in a way no elected
democratic institution can
-promotional groups like Greenpeace (3 mil members) allow people to campaign on
SPECIFIC ISSUES without the need for party affiliation -easy to join and participate (eg to
join 38 degrees you merely have to respond to an email)
-However some have been quite to associate pressure groups with 'slacktivism' ,in a time of
decreasing party membership and relatively low electoral turnout,
-Eg. performative activism
-However, pressure groups has served to alleviate democratic deficit through their
participative function
A. - pluralism, subsidiarity - represent both local and national interests
- enhance democracy by enhancing political pluralism, granting agency to a greater number
of people and causes, ensuring multiple layers of representation and encouraging
unorthodox participation
Evaluate the extent that the actions of pressure groups have been significant in defending
and protecting our rights-para 1: influence over government (7) - correct answer--majority of
pressure groups unlikely to exert influence if not in line with aims of gov / majority opinion of
society - fails to enhance REPRESENTATIVE democracy
-Eg. Countryside Alliance fails to prevent passage of 2004 Hunting Act - because their views
not in line with dominant views in society
-if a pressure group represents a minority viewpoint, it is likely to be ignored by a government
who seek electoral success
-even if a pressure group does have substantial support, if it does not align with aims of a
clearly mandated majority gov, it is unlikely to exert legislative influence
-eg. In spite of the 'Million march' of 750,000 protesting against Iraq 2003 (largest ever), due
to Blair's desire to establish good relations between labor and the US republican party,
Operation Telic went ahead
-In spite of 80 UK uncut campaigns since 2010, they had little influence as Cameron gov
committed to austerity
-Therefore, it can be argued that pressure groups fail to enhance democracy as
governments are normally only receptive to groups which share their outlook and aims.
Evaluate the extent that the actions of pressure groups have been significant in defending
and protecting our rights-para 1: influence over government CP (10) - correct
answer--However, it is important to acknowledge that in many cases government policy U
turns have been forced by pressure groups which do not align with government aims.
-eg RSPCA employs over 1,600 staff and get national attention through full page ads - puts
pressure on gov through ability to influence public opinion -
-enhance democracy by informing the policy and activity of an elected gov and educating the
public on political issues, whilst also holding the government to account between elections
-after years of campaigning and public support, the RSPCA was influential in the passing
and implementation of the 2006 Animal Welfare Act (designed to prevent cruelty)
- RSPCA has a long history of caring for animals and so best placed to inform gov policy in
that area
-Pressure groups hold gov to account and ensure they are responsive to public opinion
between elections
-eg Campaigns by BMA and RCN were able to sucessfuly alter the government's stance on
Junior Doctor contracts through protests 2016, and regularly give evidence to select
committees
-also, Greenpeace had an influence of Corbyn - who cut 0 emissions target to 2035
-ensure an 'active dialogue' and enhances representative function by ensuring the actions of
the government reflect the needs of society
-pressure groups enhance democracy by acting as a direct point of communication between
the ever changing needs of the public and government, and providing invaluable education
to the electorate, ensuring informed and active citizens and responsive and continually
accountable government.
, para 2: inequality of influence (7) - correct answer--inequality of influence = lack of true
pluralism / (pressure group elitism)
- some 'ultra insiders' have disproportionate influence on gov whilst well financed pressure
groups invariably exert greater influence
-well funded pressure groups = gives access to 'political resources' - needed to run
successful campaign - afford lobbyists
-groups wealthy enough to employ lobbyists tend to enjoy heightened influence (NSPCC
employ's lobbying group ' Portland' to act on it's behalf)
- however, pressure groups can equally elevate the influence of other insider minority
groups, allowing them to wield overbearing influence over a majority (elitism)
- eg Motoring groups such as the Alliance of British driver's have had influence over air
pollution regulation and the National Farmer's Union works closely in Whitehall with DEFRA
-some have argued that Pressure groups are actually detrimental to democracy as they tend
to distort the influence of certain groups on government based on their wealth membership,
or insider status. However, the fact remains that pressure groups continue to offer extra
parliamentary support and representation to marginalised groups.
Para 3: enhance democracy (10) - correct answer--pressure groups enhance pluralist
democracy as, they all offer extraparliamentary representation and ensure that even Minority
viewpoints are amplified - counters elitism
- help to prevent 'tyranny of the majority' - represent DIVERSE viewpoints - essential to
pluralism
-eg Muslim Council of Great Britain - representing minority Muslim pop
-Shelter - represents homeless who otherwise lack agency / influence (they have no wealth
and are scattered across the nation)
- also, do not need substantial membership to be influential - eg Howard League for penal
reform has only 3000 members but was able effectively represent the rights of prisoners
when the gov was forced to U turn on introducing charges towards legal aid for prisoners
2015
-Pressure groups enhance principle of functional representation - lacking in traditional forms
of democracy and can serve to protect interests of minority groups in a way no elected
democratic institution can
-promotional groups like Greenpeace (3 mil members) allow people to campaign on
SPECIFIC ISSUES without the need for party affiliation -easy to join and participate (eg to
join 38 degrees you merely have to respond to an email)
-However some have been quite to associate pressure groups with 'slacktivism' ,in a time of
decreasing party membership and relatively low electoral turnout,
-Eg. performative activism
-However, pressure groups has served to alleviate democratic deficit through their
participative function
A. - pluralism, subsidiarity - represent both local and national interests
- enhance democracy by enhancing political pluralism, granting agency to a greater number
of people and causes, ensuring multiple layers of representation and encouraging
unorthodox participation
