On the flip side indirect methods concentrate more of whipping up support for a specific cause. These methods range from writing to local MP’s to distributing leaflets through letterboxes. A rising form of indirect action is the use of the internet. From facebook groups to pop-up adverts and viral videos, the internet is a new and popular way of pressure groups getting their message out to the public. Perhaps the most famous method of pressure groups, and arguably both indirect and direct, is that of protesting/demonstrating. From the anti-Iraq war marches in 2003 (in which over 1million people took part) to the anti-poll tax marches in March 1990, demonstrating has always been a popular method. The most controversial of these demonstrations are some including the “countryside alliance” march after the introduction of the fox hunting ban in the UK, where dozens of hunters with their horses and dogs rode up and down central London to show their discontent. Another controversial example was when members of Fathers4Justice climbed onto the roof of Buckingham palace and displayed a banner promoting their cause. Such methods are often criticised by the public and the authorities, but are usually successful in achieving awareness.
Why are some pressure groups more successful than others
“The politics of pressure” contains many factors which influence the success or failure of Pressure Groups. At the forefront of such factors is simple size. Simply a larger pressure group with more members is more likely to be successful due to the bigger influence more people will have, as well as the extra funding the group will receive to help in its operation from subscriptions etc. For example the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) has over 1million members who all pay a yearly subscription. Such large amounts of money at the pressure groups disposal helps them fund expensive advertising campaigns and the like the even further raise awareness for their cause. On the flip side is the size and strength of opposition. A pressure group with little opposition is obviously more likely to succeed compared to one with vast public support against it. For example the countryside alliance (anti-fox hunting ban) was often outspoken by the anti-fox hunting community and so their campaigns had little effect. Other general example include the wider issues of church vs science and climate change vs those who believe it is a myth.
As well as size it is also important for a pressure group to be popular amongst the masses if it is to achieve its aims. The Climate of opinion often can determine a pressure groups success. The opinions of both the public, but also the government, who will effectively be the ones who have the power to enact laws etc to help achieve the pressure groups aims are thus extremely important. For example in 2009 the Ghurkha rights campaign was extremely popular amongst the public, thanks to the help of actress Joanna Lumney, and in the end was able to persuade government to grant a law letting all ex-serving Ghurkhas the right to live in the UK. The issue of celebrity support is also an interesting one, as it often helps raise both awareness and support for a cause. Famous celebrity endorsements include Bob Geldof and Bono’s support for “make poverty history”, Joanns Lumleys role in the Ghurkha campaign and Princess Dianna’s vital role in the stop landmines campaign.
A final point to make is of the importance of resources to a pressure groups campaign. Heavy funding can help pay for expensive media advertising campaigns which rally support, which is almost always needed for a cause to be addressed. Also extremely important is the issue of access points. Insider groups tend to have an easier job and thus can more swiftly address their needs due to their proximity to the policy making circle, while outsider groups will often take massive amounts of time and money to make enough of a stir amongst the public consciousness to have any effect. It is not just access to MP’s that is important, but also other leading figures such as members of the EU parliament and perhaps even members of bigger pressure groups with more public clout. The most important access point is that to the public, so the ability to run effective internet campaigns etc is essential.
Overall there are many reasons some pressure groups are more popular than others, but they all essentially boil down to those who have the ability to stir up enough public support and then get those in the position to do something about it to act.
