methods used by interest groups
TRANSCRIPT
Conflict
What is Conflict?
• Where more than one group have a difference of opinion, interaction or relationship with the same topic.
• Small Scale – disagreement between smaller user groups.
• Eg Surfers / Lifeguards
• 4WD / Bike riders
• Horse riders/ Bushwalkers
• Jets skies / Fishermen
• Larger Scale: - disagreements between companies, government, environmentalists, Locals
• Eg Franklin River
• Port Philip bay Dredging
• Logging in Otway Ranges
• Wonthaggi Desalination Plant
A group which attempts to influence the making or
implementing or administering of government
decisions
Interest Groups
• Most interest groups are single-issue groups which
• - seek to benefit the interests of their members (trade unions, cattlemen, 4WD assoc, Save Albert Park,)
• Interest groups are formed voluntarily and do NOT include government bodies
Methods Used By Interest Groups
• direct action
- picketing/ - strikes
-blockades
Marches, protests
demonstrations, - boycotts, go slows, bans
• Advantages of Direct Action
- free publicity in media
• Disadvantages
- usually seen by community
as negative or disruptive
Lobbying
• Conducted directly by interest groups, or by employing professional lobbyists who have access to Government ministers.
• Lobbying not always directed primarily to those making decisions, also to those that can influence decision-makers.
Petitions• Used to raise awareness of issues
and to show levels of support for position in relation to issue.
• Not very affective in influencing decision-making.
• Members of Parliament count letters to gauge level of feeling on an issue.
Use of Media
• Usually only wealthy groups can afford paid advertising.
• Editorals and reports can at times be more sympathetic to groups representing commercial interests.