Transcript File - Mrs Sudds` classroom

Session 1 – Who has the power?
L.O: be able to:
• Identify different interests in society
• Explain how different interest groups influence the decision makers
Keywords: Sectional interests, Interest groups, Pressure groups, Direct action
Starter: Citizenship recap!!
What is a pressure group and what
do they aim to do?
Answer: A pressure group is a group of
people coming together to try to influence
decision makers such as the government or
big companies to make a change e.g. Fathers
for Justice seeks to convince the government
to change the law relating to Father’s rights.
Sectional interests: Interests/views of a group or sector within
society e.g. Business interests, Education interests, Farmer
interests etc.
Task: Copy and complete this chart stating
what each type of group may be interested
in. (5mins only)
Sector/group
of people
Interests
Business
Making money/profit, expanding into other countries,
less restrictive laws/less control from the government…
Education
Getting good results, league tables, reputation in community,
getting funding from government, less interference/new
initiatives from the government…
Farmers
Keeping costs down, charging higher prices,
funding/bursaries from the government, beating competition
from other countries…
Sometimes these “sectional interests” are surprisingly powerful
within society e.g. if all the farmers increase the cost of their
produce, the cost of food goes up for all of us!
So are interest groups
pressure
theother.
Sometimes and
the different
“interests” groups
clash with each
Q: Why do you same
think Farmer
interests Talk
may clash
with Consumer
thing?
to
interests?
partner
trybuttothe consumers
A: Farmers will your
want to charge
higherto
prices
will want to pay less.
work out the difference.
The government sometimes makes laws that appear to favour
different interests over others.
As a result, dissatisfied people come together to try to influence
the government to change the laws and decisions that affect
them. These are called interest groups.
Interest groups = an informal grouping of different
“sectional interests” who come together to
protect their interests against decision makers
e.g. farmers standing together against powerful
supermarket chains
Pressure groups = almost identical to interest
groups but can include other supporters who
are not personally affected by the cause e.g.
Greenpeace fights for the rights of whales
rather than whales fighting for their own
interests!
Citizenship recap!
Make a list of different campaign methods
that interest groups or pressure groups
may use to try to influence the decision
Can you give any
makers e.g. petitions…
(5 mins)
examples of direct action
carried out by pressure
Q: What is direct
action?
groups?
Hint: think
A: Action that isFathers
outsideforofJustice,
the norms of
Greenpeace, Anticampaigning and
is oftenSociety…
illegal.
vivisection
Session 2 – A Changing Climate
L.O: to be able to:
• Identify significant changes in the nature and activities of pressure groups
• Relate these changes to recent social and technological changes and to
globalisation
Keywords: Deferential, Social movements, Nation state, Globalisation,
Transnational companies
Task: There are three different info sheets outlining
different changes that have taken place within society.
1) Read the sheet
2) Copy the subheading
3) Answer the questions
4) Move on to the next sheet
Political Change
Interest groups and pressure groups can be described as either
being on the “inside” or the “outside.” This refers to
whether or not they are within the decision making
circle.
For example, some interest groups and wealthy individuals give
large sums of money to political parties. The
Conservative party has traditionally been supported by
business interests and the Labour party by the Trade
unions. Therefore, if the Conservative party is in power,
business interests can be said to be on the “inside”
because they will have a close relationship with the
decision makers and are more likely to be supported by
the government. Additionally, many MPs and ministers
have business or professional backgrounds. They, their
friends and relatives mix socially with business people.
This means that they come to understand and
sympathise with their interests so may subconsciously
support their interests more than others. This could be
said to support the Marxist view that society is run and
controlled by the wealthy.
When making new laws and making decisions, governments
need the advice and support of different interests if their
policies are to be effective. Running the NHS, for
example, requires the cooperation of the “medical
interest” to advise and support their plans. This means
that the “medical interests” would be “inside” the
decision making circle on some issues.
Groups “outside” the decision-making process have to persuade
the government that their demands are worth
considering by campaigning and protesting. Sometimes
this results in groups resorting to direct action or even
illegal action if they feel that their interests are being
ignored.
While much of what was written about pressure groups in
the 1960s remains relevant, much has changed.
Between 1945 and 1979, governments accepted that
they should consult business groups and the trade unions
about economic issues. During the 1970s, the Neoliberals within the Conservative party criticised this ‘cosy’
partnership. They claimed that it gave the trade unions
too much influence. After 1979, the Conservative
government pursued policies that weakened the trade
unions, making them ‘outsiders’. The trade unions had
hope that a Labour government would restore their rights.
However, New Labour has hardly done so, being
unwilling to antagonise business. Therefore the balance
of influence has shifted in favour of business.
1)
In your own words, summarise the difference
between interest groups who are on the
“inside” and those that are on the “outside.”
2) Explain how an interest group may get on the
“inside.”
3) How do interest groups on the “outside” ensure
that their interests are supported?
4) Which interest groups were more in favour with
the government before 1979?
5) Which interest groups are more in favour with
the government now?
6) How would Marxists and Neo-Liberals criticise
the “inside and outside” concept?
Social Change
During the 1950s people in Britain became less
deferential to traditional institutions and ideas.
Some sections of society began to believe that
their interests were not adequately represented
by existing organisations. New social movements
developed.
Women in the 1950s and 1960s were expected to
take little interest in politics and public life
generally. Even in organisations like trade
unions, which stood for social fairness, women
were not treated as equals. Many women began
to resent the situations and started to organise
themselves. Some groups focused on “women’s
issues” such as male abuse of women which
were neglected by mainstream organisations.
Others wished to make a specifically female
contribution to a general cause, for example,
women’s peace camps. Through such groups
women not only participated in political life but
grew in confidence.
Deferential = belief that people high on the social scale are
superior and should be looked up to.
New social movement = informal, loosely organised
coalition of individuals or groups supporting an interest or
cause.
Other “neglected” sections of society, for example,
gays and lesbians and those favouring alternative
lifestyles, responded in similar ways. At the same
time, established political organisations denied
recognition to issues about which people were
becoming concerned., The environment, for
example was not on the party political agenda.
1)
Give two examples of groups within society
who felt that their interests were not being
met in the 1960s.
2)
Give two examples of groups within society
who may feel that their interests are not
being met nowadays.
3)
How can social change affect which
interest groups/ pressure groups are
formed?
4)
Discuss how far Sociologists would agree
that women are now equal to men in
society.
Globalisation
Fifty years ago, the British government and parliament
made the decisions for the British people. Britain was
clearly a nation state. Since then, governments have
signed treaties transferring some authority to
international institutions e.g. the European Union and
United Nations.
Economic globalisation has created huge transnational
companies. These companies have no particular
commitment to the welfare of workers, consumers or
the general public in Britain. Their worldwide economic
power places them almost beyond the control of any
national government.
The new situations has created both problems and
opportunities for pressure groups. The British
government, for example, may no longer have the
power to give a group what it wants. On the other
hand, if an international political authority or a
transnational company can be persuaded, a group’s
demands will be implemented in many countries. This
is helpful to groups pressing for action on the
environment or global poverty.
Technological advances
Many pressure groups have internationalised their
activities. They have been helped in this by
advanced communication technology. Through the
Internet, ideas can be shared and action coordinated
across many countries. British pressure groups can
now support and be supported by sympathisers
across the world.
Nation state = independent country/state separate from all
others.
Globalisation = a process through which people,
organisations and states become increasingly
interdependent, both economically and culturally.
Transnational companies = companies and businesses that
operate on a global scale in many countries.
1)
Explain what is meant by the phrase “Britain was
clearly a nation state.”
2)
Explain why globalisation may be a good thing
for pressure groups.
3)
Explain why globalisation may be a bad thing for
pressure groups.
4)
Give an example of a transnational company that
operates in Britain.
5)
Identify three ways in which the Internet may be
useful to pressure groups.
Session 3 – Exam practice
“Discuss how far sociologists would agree
that pressure groups and political parties
help to spread power evenly throughout
British society.” (12 marks)
At first glance this question looks quite intimidating. Don’t
worry, we’ll work through it…
Recap!
Q: What is the essence of the Marxist argument?
A: That society is unequal. The power is held by a small group
of very rich people/companies and they control everything.
With your partner, have a think about how this could relate to the
question…
“Discuss how far sociologists would agree
that pressure groups and political parties
help to spread power evenly throughout
British society.” (12 marks)
Clue: think about the “inside and outside” argument from last
lesson.
“Discuss how far sociologists would agree that pressure
groups and political parties help to spread power evenly
throughout British society.” (12 marks)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Marxist argument
Power is held by the rich minority i.e. politicians and big companies. Power
is not equal in British society.
If a pressure group is on the “inside” e.g. by giving money to a political party,
their interests will be better protected.
Most MPs and Ministers have business links, which means that business
interests are on the “inside” and will be better protected.
Rich, transnational companies such as Starbucks have a lot of power as
they could just move to another country if they are not happy with the laws in
Britain
Pressure groups have little effect – society is not equal.
“Some sociologists would disagree that pressure groups and political parties
help to spread power evenly throughout British society because Marxists
believe that the power is held by the minority of the rich and big company
owners…”
“Discuss how far sociologists would agree that pressure
groups and political parties help to spread power evenly
throughout British society.” (12 marks)
So what would the opposite argument be? i.e. why would
some sociologists agree that pressure groups and political
parties help to spread power evenly through British
society?
Clue: Think “democracy”.
“Discuss how far sociologists would agree that pressure
groups and political parties help to spread power evenly
throughout British society.” (12 marks)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pluralist argument
In a democratic society, everyone has the power to influence decision
makers.
We can vote out a political party if we disagree with what they are doing.
We can hold politicians to account in the media.
Pressure groups are free to try to influence the decision makers by showing
them the merits of their arguments.
In a democracy, freedom of speech is encouraged.
MPs have regular meetings with their constituents to listen to their
arguments.
“Some sociologists would agree that pressure groups and political parties
help to spread power evenly throughout British society because pressure
groups are free to campaign to influence the decision makers and members
of the public have the power to hold political parties and decision makers to
account…”
“Discuss how far sociologists would agree that pressure
groups and political parties help to spread power evenly
throughout British society.” (12 marks)
Intro: Explain how British political system works, explain democracy etc,
define pressure groups…
Some sociologists agree… Pluralist argument, democracy, freedom of
speech, regular elections, use of media to hold decision makers to
account…
Some sociologists disagree… Marxist argument, power held by powerful
minority, “inside and outside” argument, influence of powerful countries…
Conclusion: How far do Sociologists agree with the statement?
Task: You have 12-15 minutes to write an answer to this question. Then peer assess
your partner’s work and give them a mark out of 12, a sentence of praise and a
sentence of constructive criticism.