Power of the Few Essay Example for Free

Power of the Few Essay The three articles to be tackled by this essay discuss the presence of a power elite, a term coined by author C. Wright Mills.   The articles talk about how the power elite emerged and existed, who comprises it, and evidence to prove why these people are, in fact, the few who hold power in America.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first article is C. Wright Mills’ The Power Elite wherein he argues that the power of the elite is not derived from their individual attributes but from three societal institutions, specifically the economy, politics, and the military, where power is actually concentrated (332).    To support this argument, Mills points out that there are extraordinary men who are heads or are in command of major social structures and are in the position to make decisions that will have great consequences affecting society (332).     He goes on to point out that even if these men do not make decisions or act for their institutions, such is actually an influencing act in itself (332).   And who are these men who govern the three major institutions of society? They are â€Å"the wealthiest, most celebrated, most powerful†¦[with] resources of men, women, and money†¦and mass media focused on them† (336).     Mills then presents two points of view regarding the existence of powerful elite: those who do not believe that power elite exists and those who believe that it exists only because historical situations show that decisions are being made but the average and ordinary citizen did not make that decision (333).   However, Mills then argues that there are institutions that do in fact unite the decisions made and the historical events that show those decisions (334).   And even if one will argue that society is also ruled by religious, educational and familial institutions, Mills concedes that although these institutions are present and working in society, they are just but the means of the big three[1] to legitimize its power and decisions (334).   In fact, Mills argues that if the smaller institutions do not go about the path laid down by the big three, then the big three can always do something to change the structure of smaller institutions so as to fit their plans and decisions (334-335). In the end, Mills wraps up his article with the conclusion that there are those extraordinary men in the three biggest influential institutions in society that dictate its course and that although they are not solitary rulers (333), it is only through them that power â€Å"can be more or less continuous and important† (336).   And these men are so powerful that their wills are followed and realized even if others resist it (336).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The second article is Diversity in the Power Elite by Richard Zweigenhaft and G. William Domhoff, wherein the authors concluded that â€Å"power elite is more than a set of institutional leaders† (338).     The authors attack the view of C. Wright Mills that society is not pluralistic and that it is controlled only by a handful through a research on whether the three major institutional hierarchies have become diversified over the years since Mills’ theory.   And the answer is yes.   The authors’ research showed that the power elite have been diversified through the presence of more women and minorities (339). The research further shows that although there is diversity in the powerful, there are many things that have not changed.   For one, the core group of the elite is still predominantly Christian white males and many groups that contributed to diversification remain underrepresented (339).   Two, â€Å"high social origins continue to be a distinct advantage† and those who are able to penetrate the major institutions play the game according to the rules that have been followed since time immemorial (339). Lastly, the acceptance of diversity was only a result of   â€Å"pressure from activists and feminists† (339).   The article further discussed that although there was diversification in the power elite, the diversity only ends with the gender or race of the person.   In fact, diversity strengthened the power elite even more because it â€Å"held the same values and perspective as those who are already in power† (340).   In the end, diversification did not disprove the existence of the power elite, as enunciated by Mills, but only expanded its membership.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The last article is by Louis Desipio and Rodolfo O. De La Garza entitled Forever Seen as New: Latino Participation in American Elections wherein it proposes that the growing importance of the Latino electorate in American elections is a result, not of Latino mobilization, but of following an Anglo pattern where the more educated and economically advantaged are the ones who vote (346). The article presents the impediments to a more active Latino electorate: being young, less well-educated, low incomes, and not being American citizens (343, 344).     These impediments have been remedied somehow by the emergence of â€Å"new cadre Latino elites and new institutions† comprised of young and well-educated Latinos (345).   This new cadre exposes Latino issues which enable politicians to address them with more knowledge (345).   As a result, although development in Latino participation will be slow, the new cadre will prove to be influential as it is the voice of the Latino community.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With the three articles read and analyzed side by side, the most and key concept is power elite.   Mills defines the power elite as the concentration of societal power and influence in a few.   It is often comprised of the highly educated and wealthy people who occupy high posts in either the economic, political or military institutions. The article of Zweigenhaft and Domhoff   proves that although there is a move to further diversify the power elite, there is still only a handful who dictate the course of society as the newcomers hardly have proposed major changes, and in fact settle for playing the game the way the power elite has played it ever since.   The article of Desipio and De La Garza is not any different since it discusses the concentration of Latino electoral participation in the young and well-educated.   At the end of the day, Mills’ concept has expanded but not altered in any way.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With the three readings main theme of power in the few, I was awakened to the possibility that there really might be just a few people who are running our country through the economy, politics, and the military.     I realized that family, education and religion are not even major powerhouses but do play some role in putting the power elite in their positions.   Those who are wealthy and had the opportunity to graduate from ivy-league and other elite schools are perceived as the people who know a lot and could probably make the right decisions for the country. As a result of this thinking, they are placed in positions that take the correct actions for their institutions.   But I cannot entirely concede that that diversification has not changed anything in the power elite and that the newcomers have not changed anything in society.   Gender and racial issues are core agenda in society today although it must be noted that minorities are still that: minorities.   It is still the rich, the smart and the popular who are in a state of power and influence.   How else can you justify Arnold Schwarchenegger   winning the gubernatorial seat? [1] Economic, political and military institutions

Plain English Communication :: Free Essay Writer

Plain English Communication INTRODUCTION After researching Communication, I have developed the following conclusions, which I will explain in this memo. I will attempt to answer several questions that pertain to communication and the importance. I developed my conclusions from researching provided handouts and the Internet. HOW IMPORTANT IS COMMUNICATION? In every society, humans have developed spoken and written language as a means of sharing messages and meanings. Readers need to know what is being said not how it is being said (1). Plain English is defined as something that the intended audience can read, understand and act upon the first time they read it (4). Plain English is needed in all kinds of public information, such as forms, leaflets, agreements, and contracts. The golden rule is that plain English should be used in any information that ordinary people rely on when they make decisions (4). People have the right and the need to make informed decisions about money and the law. If the way a document is written affects that decision then that creates moral issues. WHAT ROLE DOES WRITTEN COMMUNICATION PLAY IN BUSINESS? Businesses are successful when they communicate well with their customers. There are several benefits to businesses who practice Plain English. The benefits to businesses are saving time and money with: Less paper Reduces error Less ink Increases cash flow Less printing costs Decreases storage cost Less postage Environmentally friendly Increase Sales Fewer customers complaints WHAT ISSUES OF WRITTEN COMMUNCATION MUST THE MANAGEMENT OF A BUSINESS BE AWARE? WHY? The legal, medical, pharmaceutical, and finance industries cause the most concern. Management in these industries need to remove the jargon, legal language, and technical terms from documents written for people who are not familiar with these terms. Management should use Plain English because it saves the writer and the reader time and it saves money. Also, Plain English creates a good image for an organization Plain English Communication :: Free Essay Writer Plain English Communication INTRODUCTION After researching Communication, I have developed the following conclusions, which I will explain in this memo. I will attempt to answer several questions that pertain to communication and the importance. I developed my conclusions from researching provided handouts and the Internet. HOW IMPORTANT IS COMMUNICATION? In every society, humans have developed spoken and written language as a means of sharing messages and meanings. Readers need to know what is being said not how it is being said (1). Plain English is defined as something that the intended audience can read, understand and act upon the first time they read it (4). Plain English is needed in all kinds of public information, such as forms, leaflets, agreements, and contracts. The golden rule is that plain English should be used in any information that ordinary people rely on when they make decisions (4). People have the right and the need to make informed decisions about money and the law. If the way a document is written affects that decision then that creates moral issues. WHAT ROLE DOES WRITTEN COMMUNICATION PLAY IN BUSINESS? Businesses are successful when they communicate well with their customers. There are several benefits to businesses who practice Plain English. The benefits to businesses are saving time and money with: Less paper Reduces error Less ink Increases cash flow Less printing costs Decreases storage cost Less postage Environmentally friendly Increase Sales Fewer customers complaints WHAT ISSUES OF WRITTEN COMMUNCATION MUST THE MANAGEMENT OF A BUSINESS BE AWARE? WHY? The legal, medical, pharmaceutical, and finance industries cause the most concern. Management in these industries need to remove the jargon, legal language, and technical terms from documents written for people who are not familiar with these terms. Management should use Plain English because it saves the writer and the reader time and it saves money. Also, Plain English creates a good image for an organization

Assessment Management Forensic Mental Health Health And Social Care Essay

Since the 1980s force per unit area is increasing on mental wellness professionals to better their ability toA predictA and better manage the degree of hazard associated with forensic mental wellness patients, and offendersA being dealtA with in the justness system ( Holloway, 2004 ) .A This increasedA pressureA has besides increased involvement within a wider scope of research workers and forensic clinicians, working in the justness system to better the truth, and dependability of their analysis of whether recidivism is a strong possibility.A The overallA valueA of rating of research is toA allowA theA improvementA in the appraisal, supervising, planning and direction of wrongdoers, in concurrence with a more dependable base line for follow up ratings ( Beech et al, 2003 ) . However, there continues to be an increasingA interestA andA expectationA on professionals from the populace and the condemnable justness system in respects to the potentialA dangerA posed byA seriousA offendersA being releasedA back into the community and the demand for the wrongdoers to be better managed, in orderA to adequately protectA the populace from unsafe persons ( Doyle et al, 2002 ) . As the appraisal of riskA is madeA at assorted phases in the direction procedure of the violent wrongdoer, it isA extremelyA important that mental wellness professionals have a structured and consistent attack to put on the line appraisal and rating of force. ( Doyle et Al, 2002 ) . This paper will compare and contrast three theoretical accounts of hazard appraisal thatA are usedA to cut down possible danger to others, when incorporating violent wrongdoers back into the community. These three attacks are unstructured clinical opinion, structured clinicalA judgementA and actuarialA appraisal. It is non intended, in this paper, to research the assorted instruments used in the appraisal procedure for theA respectiveA actuarial and structured clinical attacks. Unstructured Clinical Judgement Unstructured clinical opinion is a procedure affecting no specific guidelines, but relies on the single clinician'sA evaluationA holding respect to the clinicians experience and makings ( Douglas et al. , 2002 ) .A Doyle et Al ( 2002 ) , refers toA clinicalA opinion as â€Å" first coevals † ( p. 650 ) , and sees clinical opinion as leting the clinicianA completeA discretion in relation to what information the clinician will or will non take notice of in their concluding finding of hazard degree. The unstructured clinicalA interviewA has been widely criticised because itA is seenA as inconsistent and inherently lacks construction and aA uniformA approachA that does non let forA trial, retest dependability over clip and between clinician ‘s ( Lamont et al. , 2009 ) . ItA has been arguedA that this incompatibility inA assessmentA can take toA incorrectA appraisal of wrongdoers, as either high or low hazard due to the subjective sentiment inherent in the unstructured clinic al assessmentA approachA ( Prentky et al. , 2000 ) . Even with these restrictions discussed above the unstructured clinicalA interviewA is still likely to be the most widely usedA approachA in relation to the wrongdoer ‘s force hazard appraisal ( Kropp, 2008 ) . Kropp ( 2008 ) , postulates that the continued usage of the unstructured clinicalA interviewA allows for â€Å" idiographic analysis of the offendersA behavior † ( Kropp, 2008, p. 205 ) .A Doyle et Al ( 2002 ) posits, that clinical surveies have shown, that clinician ‘s utilizing the hazard analysisA methodA of unstructured interview, is non asA inaccurateA asA generallyA believed.A Possibly this is due, mostly to the degree of experience andA clinicalA makings of those carry oning the appraisal. The unstructured clinicalA assessmentA methodA relies to a great extent on verbal and non verbal cues and this has the potency of act uponing single clinician ‘s appraisal of hazard, and therefore in bend has a high chance of over trust in the appraisal on the exhibited cues ( Lamont et al. , 2009 ) .A A major defect with the unstructured clinical interview is the evident deficiency of structured standardised methodologyA being usedA toA enableA aA testA retest reliability A measureA antecedently mentioned.A However, the deficiency of consistence in the appraisal attack is aA substantialA disadvantage in the usage of the unstructured clinical interview.A The demand for a more structuredA processA leting forA predictableA trial retest dependability wouldA appearA to be aA necessaryA constituent of any hazard appraisal in relation to force. Actuarial Appraisal ActuarialA assessmentA was developedA toA assessA assorted hazard factors that would better on the chance of an wrongdoer ‘s recidivism. The actuarial attack relies to a great extent on standardised instruments to help the clinician in foretelling force, and the bulk of these instrumentsA have been developed, in an effort, A to foretell futureA probabilityA of force amongst wrongdoers who have a history of mental unwellness and or condemnable offending behaviors. ( Grant et Al, 2004 ) . However, Douglas et Al ( 2002 ) warns that usage of actuarial appraisal does non supply appraisal of any degree of forestalling the possibility of future force. The usage of actuarialA assessmentA has increased in recent old ages as more non cliniciansA are taskedA with the duty of direction of violent wrongdoers such as community corrections, correctional officers and probation officers. Actuarial hazard appraisal methods enable staff, that do non hold the experience, A backgroundA or necessaryA clinicalA makings toA conductA a standardized clinicalA assessmentA of wrongdoer hazard. This actuarial assessmentA methodA has been foundA to be extremelyA helpfulA when holding hazard measuring wrongdoers with mental wellness, substance maltreatment and violent wrongdoers. ( Byrne et al, 2006 ) . However, actuarial appraisals have restrictions in the inability of the instruments to supply any information in relation to the direction of the wrongdoer, and schemes to forestall force ( Lamont et al, 2009 ) .A Whilst such instruments may supply transferableA testA retest dependability, there is a demand for cautiousness when the instrumentsA are usedA within differing samples of theA testA populationA used as the validationA sampleA in developing theA testA ( Lamont et al, 2009 ) .A Inexperienced andA untrainedA staffA may non be cognizant that testsA are limitedA by a scope of variables that may restrict the dependability of the trial in usage. The bulk of actuarial toolsA were validatedA in North America ( Maden, 2003 ) . This hasA significantA deductions when actuarial instrumentsA are usedA in the Australian context, particularly when autochthonal cultural complexnesss are non taken into history. Doyle et Al ( 2002 ) postulates that the actuarialA approachA is focusedA on anticipation and that hazard appraisal in mental wellness has a much broaderA functionA † and has to beA linkA closely with direction and bar † ( p. 652 ) . Actuarial instruments rely on steps of inactive hazard factors e.g. history of force, gender, mental illness and recorded societal variables.A Therefore, inactive hazard factorsA are takenA as staying constant.A Hanson et Al ( 2000 ) argues that where the consequences of unstructuredA clinicalA opinionA areA openA to inquiries, the through empirical observation based hazard assessmentA methodA can significantly foretell the hazard of rhenium offending. To relyA totallyA onA staticA factors thatA are measuredA in Actuarial instruments, and non integrate dynamic hazard factors has led to what Doyle et Al ( 2002 ) has referred to as, â€Å" Third Generation † , or as more normally acknowledged as structured professional opinion. Structured Professional Judgement Progression toward a structured professionalA theoretical account, wouldA appearA to hold followed a procedure of development since the 1990s.A ThisA progressionA has developed throughA acceptanceA of the complexness of what hazard appraisal entails, and the force per unit areas of the tribunals andA publicA in developing an outlook of increased prognostic truth ( Borum, 1996 ) .A Harmonizing to Lamont et Al ( 2009 ) , structured professional opinion brings together â€Å" through empirical observation validated hazard factors, professional experience and modern-day cognition of the patient ( p27 ) .A Structured professional opinion attack requires aA broadA assessmentA standards covering both inactive and dynamic factors, and efforts to bridge the spread between the other attacks of unstructured clinical opinion, and actuarialA approachA ( Kropp, 2008 ) .A The incorporation of dynamic hazard factors that are takingA accountA of variable factors such as current emotionalA levelA ( choler, depression, emphasis ) , societal supports or deficiency of and willingness to take part in the intervention rehabilitation process.A The structured professional attack incorporatesA dynamicA factors, whichA have been found, to be besides important in analysingA riskA of force ( Mandeville-Nordon, 2006 ) .A Campbell et Al ( 2009 ) postulates that instruments thatA examineA d ynamic hazard factors are moreA sensitiveA toA recentA alterations that mayA influenceA an addition or lessening in hazard potency. Kropp ( 2008 ) , reports that research has found that Structured Professional Judgement measures alsoA correlateA substantiallyA with actuarial steps. Decision Kroop, ( 2008 ) postulates that either a structured professional opinion attack, or an actuarial attack presents the most feasible options for hazard appraisal of violence.A The unstructuredA clinicalA approachA has been widely criticised by research workers for missing dependability, cogency and answerability ( Douglas et al, 2002 ) . Kroop, ( 2008 ) besides cautions that hazard appraisal requires the assessor to hold an appropriate degree of specialised cognition and experience. This experience should be non merely of wrongdoers but besides with victims.A There wouldA appearA to be a valid statement that unless there is consistence inA trainingA of those carry oning hazard appraisals the cogency and dependability of any step, either actuarial or structured professional opinion, will neglect toA giveA theA levelA of predictability of force thatA is sought.A Risk analysis of force will ever be burdened by theA limitationA which â€Å" lies in the fact thatA exactA analyses are notA possible, andA riskA will ne'er be wholly eradicated † ( Lamont et al, 2009, p 31. ) . Doyle et Al ( 2002 ) postulates that a combination of structured clinical and actuarial approachesA is warrantedA to help in hazard appraisal of force. Further research appears to be warranted to better the rating andA overallA effectivity of hazard direction.

Metalloids or Semimetals Definition, List, Properties

Between the metals and nonmetals is a group of elements known as either the semimetals or the metalloids, which are elements that have properties intermediate between those of the metals and nonmetals. Most metalloids have a shiny, metallic appearance but are brittle, unexceptional electrical conductors and display nonmetallic chemical properties. Metalloids have semiconductor properties and form amphoteric oxides. Location on the Periodic Table The metalloids or semimetals are located along the line between the  metals  and  nonmetals  in the  periodic table.  Because these elements have intermediate properties, its sort of a judgment call as to whether a particular element is a metalloid or should be assigned to one of the other groups. Youll find metalloids are classified differently in different classification systems, depending on the scientist or author. There is no single right way to divide the elements. List of Elements That Are Metalloids The metalloids are generally considered to be: BoronSiliconGermaniumArsenicAntimonyTelluriumPolonium (usually recognized, sometimes considered a metal)Astatine (sometimes recognized, otherwise seen as a halogen) Element 117, tennessine, has not been produced in sufficient amounts to verify its properties but is predicted to be a metalloid. Some scientists consider neighboring elements on the periodic table to either be metalloids or to have metalloid characteristics. An example is carbon, which may be considered either a nonmetal or a metalloid, depending on its allotrope. The diamond form of carbon looks and behaves as a nonmetal, while the graphite allotrope has a metallic luster and acts as an electrical semiconductor and so is a metalloid. Phosphorus and oxygen are other elements that have both nonmetallic and metalloid allotropes. Selenium is considered to be a metalloid in environmental chemistry. Other elements that may behave as metalloids under certain conditions are hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, tin, bismuth, zinc, gallium, iodine, lead, and radon. Properties of the Semimetals or Metalloids The electronegativities and ionization energies of the metalloids are between those of the metals and nonmetals, so the metalloids exhibit characteristics of both classes. Silicon, for example, possesses a metallic luster, yet it is an inefficient conductor and is brittle. The reactivity of the metalloids depends on the element with which they are reacting. For example, boron acts as a nonmetal when reacting with sodium yet as a metal when reacting with fluorine. The boiling points, melting points, and densities of the metalloids vary widely. The intermediate conductivity of metalloids means they tend to make good semiconductors. Commonalities Between Metalloids Here is a list of the properties common among metalloids: Electronegativities between those of metals and nonmetalsIonization energies between those of metals and nonmetalsPossession of some characteristics of metals, some of nonmetalsReactivity depending on the properties of the other elements in the reactionOften good semiconductorsOften having a metallic luster, although they may have allotropes that appear nonmetallicUsually behaving as nonmetals in chemical reactionsAbility to form alloys with metalsUsually brittleUsually solids under ordinary conditions Metalloid Facts A few interesting facts about several metalloids: The most abundant metalloid in Earths crust is silicon, which is the second most abundant element overall (oxygen is most abundant).The least abundant natural metalloid is tellurium.Metalloids are valuable in the electronics industry. Silicon, for example, is used to make the chips found in phones and computers.Arsenic and polonium are highly toxic metalloids.Antimony and tellurium are used primarily in metal alloys to add desirable properties.

Struthiomimus - Facts and Figures

Name: Struthiomimus (Greek for ostrich mimic); pronounced STROO-thee-oh-MIME-us Habitat: Plains of western North America Historical Period: Late Cretaceous (75 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 10 feet long and 300 pounds Diet: Plants and meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Ostrich-like posture; long tail and hind legs About Struthiomimus A close relative of Ornithomimus, which it closely resembled, Struthiomimus (ostrich mimic) galloped across the plains of western North America during the late Cretaceous period. This ornithomimid (bird mimic) dinosaur was distinguished from its more famous cousin by its slightly longer arms and stronger fingers, but because of the position of its thumbs it couldnt grasp food quite as easily. Like other ornithomimids, Struthiomimus likely pursued an opportunistic diet, feeding on plants, small animals, insects, fish or even carrion (when a kill was left unattended by other, larger theropods). This dinosaur may have been capable of short sprints of 50 miles per hour, but had a less taxing cruising speed in the 30 to 40 mph range.

Analysis Of Hogg And Vaughn ( 2008 ) - 1273 Words

Hogg and Vaughn (2008) proposed that paralinguistic features used to communicate a message between sender and receiver, would impact on how the message was interpreted by the audience. When performing my presentation to the class, my verbal communication needed to be clear and concise to get an accurate message to the receiver. In order to achieve this, I needed to speak at an appropriate volume, so not to shout at the audience, conveying an aggressive form of communication but also not to be coy so that I could not be heard. In conjunction with volume, the pitch and pace at which I communicated was also important. However, due to being nervous, I spoke with a high pitch, low volume and at a fast pace. This had a negative impact on how the information was communicated to the audience. It exerted anxiety and urgency from the sender to the receiver, which caused a barrier to communication. In reflection of this experience, I have learnt that by controlling my verbal communication, I can converse with confidence and ensure a clear message is received. A leader is a person who strives to achieve goals by influencing people towards success. I feel I was a natural leader within the group, adopting House’s Path Goal Theory – Four Leadership Style. House (1975) stated that the behaviour of a leader is important for good performance. My main roles as a leader were to co-ordinate and motivate my group to meet deadlines and goals and to support members when giving ideas contributingShow MoreRelatedStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesPetersen Senior Art Director: Janet Slowik Art Director: Kenny Beck Text and Cover Designer: Wanda Espana OB Poll Graphics: Electra Graphics Cover Art: honey comb and a bee working / Shutterstock / LilKar Sr. Media Project Manager, Editorial: Denise Vaughn Media Project Manager, Production: Lisa Rinaldi Full-Service Project Management: Christian Holdener, S4Carlisle Publishing Services Composition: S4Carlisle Publishing Services Printer/Binder: Courier/Kendallville Cover Printer: Courier/KendalvilleRead MoreQuality Improvement328284 Words   |  1314 Pagesof Mechanical Engineering, and was Director of the Program in Industrial Engineering. Dr. Montgomery has research and teaching interests in engineering statistics including statistical quality-control techniques, design of experiments, regression analysis and empirical model building, and the application of operations research methodology to problems in manufacturing systems. He has authored and coauthored more than 190 technical papers in these fields and is the author of twelve other books. Dr.Read MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesMichael Fruhbeis Permissions Project Manager: Shannon Barbe Manager, Cover Visual Research Permissions: Karen Sanatar Manager Central Design: Jayne Conte Cover Art: Getty Images, Inc. Cover Design: Suzanne Duda Lead Media Project Manager: Denise Vaughn Full-Service Project Management: Sharon Anderson/BookMasters, Inc. Composition: Integra Software Services Printer/Binder: Edwards Brothers Cover Printer: Coral Graphics Text Font: 10/12 Weidemann-Book Credits and acknowledgments borrowed from other

Pressure Groups free essay sample

A pressure group is an association that may be formal or informal, whose purpose it is to further the interests of a specific section of society or to promote a particular cause. Pressure groups normally fall under 3 classifications, sectional which represent a specific section of the public, e. g. Age UK, promotion which promotes a particular cause, e. g. Greenpeace and finally dual-function who are a combination of both sectional and promotional, e. g. Countryside Alliance. Pressure groups can also be either insider groups which means that they have a close relationship with the government and have regular consultation with them and also take part in the decision-making process, e. g. National Farmers Union, British Medical Association and Confederation of Business Industries or they can be outsider groups which means they have little to no relationship with the government and influence government through public opinion. There are also aspiring outsider groups like the British Association of Drivers who wish to become insiders. One type of pressure group is a sectional pressure group. These types of groups represent a specific section of society and therefore they are self-interested of their own members. For example, Age UK is a sectional pressure group as it represents the interests of the elderly. Sectional pressure groups are also known as interest groups. Another type of pressure group is promotional groups. These groups seek to promote a particular cause or issues in society. As a result, they claim that they serve the whole community. Promotional pressure groups are also altruistic as the members do not need to be from a specific section of the public. Examples of a promotional pressure group are environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. One function of a pressure group is that they have an educative function. This is because they help to inform and educate the public as well as the government about politically important issues. For example, Friends of the Earth publicise environmental issues. Another function of a pressure group is that it provides the public with a form of tension release. This is because pressure groups allow people to express their interests and their concerns. For example, the Occupy Movement enabled many people to protest against the excesses of the financial world. One more function of a pressure group is that it provides a less intensive but relative opportunity for political participation. This is because the public can voice their interests without making any major commitments. For example, Taxpayers’ Alliance organise online petitions, enabling people to make their views known without such commitments. One reason why a pressure group is different from a political party is due to the fact that pressure groups only seek to influence the government, they do not seek governmental power unlike political parties. Another difference is that pressure groups are not accountable to their members for their actions whereas political parties are. This is also means that pressure groups can undertake acts of civil disobedience whereas pressure groups cannot. Also pressure groups usually have a narrow range of issues whereas political parties adopt policies across full range of government responsibility. Sectional pressure groups represent a specific section of society whereas promotional pressure groups promote a particular cause or issues. For example, Age UK is a sectional group so represents the interests of the elderly and Greenpeace is a promotional group as it promotes environmental issues. Furthermore, sectional pressure groups are self-interested, in that they are concerned with promoting the best interests of their members whereas promotional pressure groups are altruistic, in that they claim to be serving the interests of the whole community as they often do not have a specific membership. Insider pressure groups operate inside the political system through contacts with ministers, MPs, peers and officials whereas outsider pressure groups have no special links with government. For example, the Confederation of British Industry is an insider pressure group as it is regularly consulted by the government. An example of an outsider group is Greenpeace who operate outside of the political system. In addition to this, insider pressure groups take part in the development of a policy; therefore they can influence decisions directly whereas outsider pressure groups influence decision makers by mobilising public opinion. For example, the National Farmers Union helps shape agriculture policy because it is in insider, whereas outsider groups such as Age UK influence decisions by showing decision-makers that they command widespread interests and in this case, the ‘grey-vote’ It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a pressure group and a party because both may put candidates for elections. For example in the 2010, election, single-issue parties such as Animals Count and the Senior Citizens Party offered the electorate a few alternative candidates. In addition to this, Anti-abortion group have presented candidates in general elections to publicise their cause. In addition, some pressure groups may be converting themselves to parties. Furthermore, it may also be difficult to distinguish because some single-issue parties resemble pressure groups. For example, UKIP began as an anti-European pressure group, while the Green Party was little more than once an environmental campaign organisation. The BNP is also essentially an anti-immigration organisation. Some pressure groups, notably Trade Unions adopt a wide range of policies and so appear quite similar to parties. Some pressure groups also work so closely with parties and government that it becomes too difficult to distinguish their roles. For example, Unlock Democracy, which campaigns for constitutional reform is closely allied with the Liberal Democrats. Many Trade Unions also have a close link with Labour.