the mechanics of persuasion

Basic Techniques of persuasion
Public policy decisions are result of a complex and often lengthy process. The tactics chosen by a particular pressure group to achievethe desire degree of political influence are in part dictated by the status of the group i.e. the mechanics of persuasion are different for an insider group rather than a group that lies outside mainstream politics.

Pressure groups most likely to influence policy when
Their campaigning issue has a high political saliency / importance
They have access to Government and Civil Service at an early stage of the policy-making process
Pressure Groups are seen by the institutions of the state as vital in the implementation of policy reforms
When there is a clear momentum for some form of political change and a group has the support of a large section of the electorate

The mechanics of persuasion

Lots of options are available to groups - they include:

Campaigning within the government system
Regular access to Ministers and Civil Servants
Parliamentary Lobbying
Sponsorship of MPs
Evidence given to Select Committees
Using the ballot box (mobilisation of mass support)
External Campaigning
Utilising the Media
Protest campaigns / marches / rallies / strikes / petitions
Seeking redress in UK and European Courts
Long term campaigns
Direct Action tactics

Policy Communities
On specific issues – likely that a cluster of interest / pressure groups will emerge. Some of these will be sectional, others causal. Some will have insider status – others outsider.

There is a continuous battle for influence in shaping public policy - the balance of influence may change when there is a new Government. But the election of a new governing party does not automatically mean that some groups will lose influence and others will gain access to Ministers.

Clusters of groups campaigning on specific issues are known as policy communities. Some groups have more leverage than others. Much depends on the political legitimacy of individual groups. Two examples of policy communities are shown in the diagrams below:

Has the Government taxed cigarettes too heavily? Groups such as FOREST and the Tobacco manufacturers association campaign for the freedom of smokers to smoke and for an end to annual increases in cigarette duty, ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) and the British Medical Association are on the other side of the debate.

The Petrol Crisis of Autumn 2000 was a classica example of how small but highly organised pressure groups can have a significant political impact in a short period of time.

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the mechanics of persuasion

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