1. 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.

2. Task: Copy and complete this chart stating what each type of group may be interested in. (5mins only) Sectional interests: Interests/views of a group or sector within society e.g. Business interests, Education interests, Farmer interests etc. Sector/group of people Interests Business Making money/profit, expanding into other countries, less restrictive laws/less control from the government… Education Farmers Getting good results, league tables, reputation in community, getting funding from government, less interference/new initiatives from the government… Keeping costs down, charging higher prices, funding/bursaries from the government, beating competition from other countries…

3. 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! Sometimes the different “interests” clash with each other. Q: Why do you think Farmer interests may clash with Consumer interests? A: Farmers will want to charge higher prices but the consumers will want to pay less. 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. So are interest groups and pressure groups the same thing? Talk to your partner to try to work out the difference.

4. 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!

5. Citizenship recap! Make a list of different campaign methods that interest groups or pressure groups may use to try to influence the decision makers e.g. petitions… (5 mins) Q: What is direct action? A: Action that is outside of the norms of campaigning and is often illegal. Can you give any examples of direct action carried out by pressure groups? Hint: think Fathers for Justice, Greenpeace, Anti- vivisection Society…

6. 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

7. 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. 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? 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 Neo- liberals 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. Political Change

8. Social Change 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. 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. 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. 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.

9. 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. 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. 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. 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.

10. 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…

11. 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.

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. 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)

15. 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.