Methods Used by Insider and Outsider Groups

?

Methods Used by Insider and Outsider Groups

Similarities

  • Both can write letters and lobby Members of Parliament to pursue a certain course of action. While it puts the issue in the minds of politicians it does little to raise public awareness. In 2012 heavy lobbying by the CBI influenced David Cameron to sanction High Speed Rail 2
  • Both can invite members of the public to sign petitions and e-petitions which can then be debated in Parliament. These are quick nd easy for the public to sign and can force the governments hand. However if it dramatically goes against government policy it could be ignored. For example the most signed petition to revoke article 50 had 6 million signatres however Britian still left the European Union.
  • Use advertising methods to raise public awareness.

Differences

  • Lobbying and writing for outsider groups can easily be ignored as the governent does not support the groups.
  • Outsider groups are able to use actions such as legal proceedings. For example in 2008 Huan Rights group Rights Watch launched legal proceedings against the UK government to publish legal advice on drone strikes killing British Jihadis. However this is expensive so only available to large outsider groups.
  • Insider groups are able to lobby government during policy communities which are small groups of officials and pressure groups and can have clear influence on the structure of a bill. They can also directly speak with the Civil Service and members of the government. However outsider groups lobby during green paper consultations.
  • Some insider groups have specialist access to some government departments. The BMA would have access to the Department for Health and Social Care.
  • Outsider groups as they already do not have a great relationship with the government are able to use direct action methods such as riots and protests. For example in 2019 Climate Change awareness group Extinction ebellion staged a series of protests across the country shutting down roads. This led to the UK Parliament declaring a climate emergency becoming the first Parliament in the country to do so.

Overall comparison

As outsider groups are less susceptible to government pressure and don't have to do as much to keep the government on their side they have more options available to them in order to raise public awareness such as direct action. However, these actions are less effective as the government has no real need to listen to them if they don't want to and they have real possibility of shaping a bill during the green paper consultation.

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Government & Politics resources:

See all Government & Politics resources »See all UK pressure groups and protest movements resources »