Article reviewed: deLeon, Peter, and Ralph C. Longobardi. "Policy Analysis in the Good Society." The Good Society
PAD 5005 Critical Essay #1 Jim Beck PO Box 508 Palmer, AK 99645 [email protected] Article reviewed: deLeon, Peter, and Ralph C. Longobardi. "Policy Analysis in the Good Society." The Good Society 11:1 (2002). This article argues that policy analysis holds a very real utility for the "good society," and that, more specifically, participatory policy analysis is a very effective and important vehicle for achieving the good society. The authors outline a logical approach, including a list of perceived problems, the goals they propose to pursue, the disciplinary perspective(s) that gave birth to their goals, and how those goals may be met. The article begins with a quick examination of some of the current problems that stymie the development of the good society. These include a certain backlash against civility, characterized by a quote from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who states that there is "...an overemphasis of civility..." One cannot help but wonder if the Justice was confused with the pop-culture concept of "political correctness," which is certainly not enjoying strong approval in many circles. The concept of "good society" as outlined by the authors is hardly something anyone could legitimately argue against. Other problems include the detachment, cynicism, and in many cases, contempt, Americans have for their government, including a widely held
The existence of pressure group makes government more democratic; the activities of pressure groups also make democratically e
The existence of pressure group makes government more democratic; the activities of pressure groups also make democratically elected governments more effective". Discuss. A pressure group is an organised interest group, which seek to influence the formulation and the implementation of public policy. In both the United Kingdom and the United States of America, membership to political parties has decreased, meanwhile membership to pressure groups have increased. Pressure groups differ from political parties in that they do not seek to win political office; in addition, they concern themselves with sectional policy rather than a wide range, and therefore pressure groups aim to protect or advance a shared interest. The first amendment of the US constitution claims citizens have the "right of speech, petition and association". Seeing as the constitution is sovereign, it plays an essential role in protecting the rights of organised interests. Americans favour the term interest group to pressure group, as the word pressure implies force. In the USA, nine out of ten people belong to an interest group and on average an American belongs to four. The diverse and heterogeneous nature of the USA, the weak parties, fragmented government and the expansion of government activity have all led to the expansion and the success of pressure group activity. There is a misconception that the
The wealthier and the closer the pressure group is to the government, the more successful they are." a) How far do you agree? (25 marks) b) What does this tell us about pressure groups and democracy in Britain today
The wealthier and the closer the pressure group is to the government, the more successful the pressure group will be. a) How far do you agree? (25 marks) b) What does this tell us about pressure groups and democracy in Britain today? To an extent, it is clear that the wealth of pressure group is a key factor in determining how successful they are likely to become. Ultimately, a pressure group consists of a group of people, who possess a common aim to influence government policy however; they do not seek to win power through elections. Pressure groups are often grouped into two categories, which are 'insider and 'outsider' groups. Insider groups are provided with regular and privileged access to government when policies are made, whereas outsider groups do not possess links to the government and their advice is not required in any shape. Wealth is generally associated with 'insider' groups, as they are often the groups who are able to financially enhance a political party, which is enough motivation for the government to maintain their support for the respective pressure group. The impact on democracy is often cause for debate. It appears that insider groups promote a sense of elitism, as the wealth of a pressure group often determines whether it is classified as 'insider' or 'outsider' pressure group. The implications of this on democracy is that it is suggested
Pressure groups revison notes
PRESSURE GROUPS AND PROTEST MOVEMENTS: Definitions/Facts/Information: . Trying to campaign to make a difference on something they're passionate about 2. 'an organisation which seeks to influence the details of a comparatively small range of public policies and which is not a faction of a recognised political party' - Robert Baggot 3. Limited in aims 4. 'an organisation which seeks as one if its functions to influence the formulation and implantation of public policy (general policy on everyday issues), public policy representing a set of authoritative decisions taken by the executive (government in power who draw up policies), the legislate (parliament who make laws) or the judiciary (legal institutions who enforce the law)' - Wyn Grant 5. Seeks to influence- indicates precise goals 6. Goals narrow- not concerned with full range of public policy 7. Not political parties or part of them 8. Operate on any public decision making body- local, national or international (as appropriate) 9. Rarely successful alone 0. Negative pressure- actions may damage, hinder or embarrass gov and can be effective eg: Poll Tax movement 1989-1990 1. Unions and employers organisations provide financial support for political parties in the hope of influencing their policies 2. PGs must abide by the law but are much more free in the way they conduct their internal affairs Ways in which
When The Arguments For and Against Have Been Taken Into Account, It Is Clear That Incresingly, Pluralistic Society Pressure Groups are A Supplement To Democracy. How True Is This?
When The Arguments For and Against Have Been Taken Into Account, It Is Clear That Incresingly, Pluralistic Society Pressure Groups are A Supplement To Democracy. How True Is This? This essay will consider the main arguments both for and against pressure groups being a supplement to democracy and assess the extent to which they do serve as a supplement to democracy in today's increasing pluralistic society. The government has always had to deal with groups in society but over the last two centuries pressure groups have become an indispensable feature of the British political system, as these groupings have more effectively organized themselves in response to society's increasing complexity and the increasing government intervention in more areas of life. E.g. the committee for effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade was formed in 1787. Society has also generally become more pluralistic and more aware of rights, which altogether, has served as a stimulus for the increasing relative importance of pressure groups. Far more citizens of the UK are now members of pressure groups than political parties. Broadly speaking, a pressure group may be defined as an organisation that seeks to influence, counteract or reverse government policy, without itself seeking to govern. "Pressure groups exist as conduits of political activity and serve the function of organizing and
Are pressure groups good or bad for democracy?
Are Pressure groups good or bad for democracy? Nowadays almost every country claims to be democratic. Democracy is a type of political system where decisions are made in the interest of the citizens by decision makers, who are (or are not, if we are talking about direct democracy where decisions are made by people themselves) elected, accountable and can be got rid of peacefully. The view of majority is generally accepted but minorities are protected. Certain rights and freedoms are recognised and the Rule of Law exists. Nevertheless it sounds good in theory, in practice it is much more complicated and doubtable. In recent years a strong disillusionment with politicians who form governments occurred as they seem not to represent citizens of the country. If we look at the political spectrum we will find out, that the most influential political parties (in the UK Conservative and Labour) are more or less near the centre of the spectrum. So do they actually represent people? The obvious answer is no. Due to the loss of faith in politicians a shift occurred: from political parties to pressure groups. A pressure group (or an interest group) can be described as an organised group that does not put up candidates for elections, although some groups actually did, but they were mostly trying to attract attention to a particular issue, but seeks to influence government policy or
In what ways, if at all, might it be said that democracy ensures power by the people, for the people?
SSCPL2080 Power and Decision-Making in Britain. In what ways, if at all, might it be said that democracy ensures power by the people, for the people? Rachael Fowler-251152 The word 'Democracy' derives from the ancient Greek words 'demos' and 'kratos' with a modern translation of rule by the people. Democracy as a word and concept is often contested in today's day and age as Bernard Crick states 'Democracy is perhaps the most promiscuous word in the world of public affairs' (Crick, 1962). Robertson also argues quite similarly stating that ' Democracy is the most valued and also the vaguest of political terms in the modern world.'(Robertson,1986). Due to the early Greek writings 5th century Athenians formed a 'direct' form of democracy where every citizen was given the right to vote. It was this form of democracy that inspired the democracy that we have come to adopt in Western Europe .But who truly exercises power in the UK is democracy that 'ensures power by the people, for the people' or does democracy ensure power to the elites? A pluralist view of democracy derives from a classic liberal way of thinking and is often called liberal democracy. Pluralism is the belief 'in diversity or choice, or the theory that political power should be widely and evenly dispersed.'(Heywood,1998) The pluralist model power is truly ' by the people for the people' as power is exercised
A Cabinet Minister once described Pressure Groups as Creatures which strangle efficient government. Discuss how justified this view of Pressure Groups is today.
Michael Hope A Cabinet Minister once described Pressure Groups as “Creatures which strangle efficient government”. Discuss how justified this view of Pressure Groups is today. A pressure group is an organised group that seeks to influence government (public) policy or protect or advance a particular cause or interest. Groups may promote a specific issue and raise it up the political agenda or they may have more general political and ideological objectives in mind when they campaign Pressure Groups can be split into two different main types of groups, insider and outsider groups. Insider groups are groups that have regular contact with the government; an example of this would be the British Medical Association (BMA) who represents a lot of the doctors in the country. As a result, if the doctors don’t like a new policy that the government want to bring in, the BMA can easily go to the government or get the doctors to strike. The other kind of pressure group is outsider groups. These are groups that don’t talk to the government at all and the government don’t usually recognise these groups as organisations. These types of groups are usually terrorist groups such as the Al Qaeda. The other categories Pressure Groups go under are cause groups and sectional groups. Cause groups are groups committed to a particular cause, an example of this would be Greenpeace who are
Analyse whether Britain is a true democracy
In my assignment, I am going to analyse whether Britain is a true democracy. First of all what is a democracy? Democracy was firstly originated in Greece, A democracy is literally, the terms meaning power of the people (combining the Greek words demos, meaning "the people," and kratos meaning "to rule" or "power"). It is usually used to describe a political system where the legitimacy of exercising power stems from the consent of the people. Accordingly, a democratic polity is often identified by the existence of constitutional government, where the power of the leaders is checked and restrained; representative institutions based on elections, which provide a procedural framework for the allocation of power by the people; competitive parties, in which the ruling majority respects and guarantees the rights of minorities; and civil liberties, such as freedoms of speech, press, organization, and religion. Aristocracy is a political system in which a privileged class holding hereditary titles (the most powerful members of a society). The word "aristocracy" is the Greek aristo - cratia (rule of the best-born). It is a hierarchical structure where power is not distributed evenly. It rests mostly with a small group including the king. In a direct Democracy the government is made by the people, with all functions and duties exercised directly by the populace with few or no
Sectional pressure groups are ones that aim to represent the common interests of a particular section of society and are mostly concerned with only that part of society; so as a result, membership is often closed and restricted.
. . . P r e s s u r e G r O u p s . . . HITIKSHA PATEL (1) Sectional pressure groups are ones that aim to represent the common interests of a particular section of society and are mostly concerned with only that part of society; so as a result, membership is often closed and restricted. The also aim to get as many eligible members as possible to join the group. Sectional groups might include; TUC, the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors, British Medical Association, Federation of Small Businesses, National Farmers Union, the Law Society Members of sectional pressure groups are directly and personally concerned with the outcome of the campaigns fought by the group because normally they stand to gain professionally and/or economically. Promotional pressure groups are also known as cause groups. This group follows a specific set of objectives- they aim to promote a cause, the achievement of which is not necessarily of direct professional or economic benefit to the members of the group. Examples of a promotional pressure group are- CND, whose cause is nuclear disarmament and The Society for the protection of the unborn child, whose cause is the prevention of abortions. There membership is not usually restricted because they aim to promote a cause that everybody is likely to support. These types of pressure groups get members joining them