Other Ways to Influence the Government

Besides voting in elections, people can find other ways to participate in democracy. They can contact (Write a letter, email, phone, etc.) their MP, MLA, or civil servants with their opinions about important issues.

It is usually more effective to join a group of like minded people committed to a specific goal.

Pressure Groups (Special Interest Groups)

Are people who share a certain viewpoint and want to

influence (pressure) government to make changes.Also called

Non Governmental Organizations-(NGOs)Work to improve people’s lives and

Are non-profit organizations

Ex. Pressure GroupsGreenpeace Amnesty International

See fig. 10-14 TB 259

How do Interest Groups achieve their goal?

1. LobbyistsSomeone who is paid to

represent the interests of a pressure group by influencing the lawmakers.

How do Lobbyists work?Try to influence key decisions makers

politicians, bureaucrats, and parliamentary committees.Use media, and important people (politicians, celebrities) to achieve goal

Problem with LobbyistsMay persuade government to put in place policies that

favour their group, but may not best for all Canadians. Well-funded groups with professional lobbyists can have a great influence over government policy.

So the wishes of a minority group may be heard over the wishes of the majority.

Examples:1. Tobacco Company Lobby

Fought government efforts to limit advertising for tobacco products.Fight programs that educate the public of the dangers of smoking.

2. Car ManufacturersLobby against environmental policies like reducing greenhouse gas emissions because it costs them money.

2. Court CasesInterest groups can use the courts to influence government.They can

take the government to court and have a law struck down.

Positive Results of some Special Interest Groups

Help write new legislation Environmental protection New government servicesIncreased funding for research projects

Example: Craig Kielburger

Organization Free the Children – started when he was 12Goal End child labour and protect children’s rightsHow?

Wrote letters, petitions, spoke out in school, the community, the media, then world leaders.http://www.freethechildren.com/images/video_speaking.htm

Craig Kielburger (age 12), founder of Free the Children, meets with Prime Minister Jean Cretien to discuss child labour in Pakistan and India.

Role of Mass MediaMedia Television, magazines, newspapersJob Communicate ideas and informationPower

Can criticize and influence governmentResult

Issues covered by the media are given more attention. Issues not covered by the media may be ignored.

Problem: Media Concentration

Ownership of media in the hands of a few.

(Causes biased reporting)Ex. CanWest Global owns the Province and Sun newspaper and Global BC.

Protest GroupsUse actions like:

rallies, parades, marches, blockades, and public demonstrationsto draw attention to their cause.

Civil DisobedienceAct of intentionally breaking the law while protesting laws one considers unjust.

3 principles:1. Should NOT involve violence2. Should be directed against laws that are

seriously harmful3. Requires taking responsibility for one’s

actions and be willing to face punishment.

Ex. Martin Luther King Jr.I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law. It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can stop him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.

Mahatma GhandiViolence breeds violence...

Pure goals can never justify impure or violent action...I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

The Clayoquot Sound ProtestGoal –

to prevent loggers from clear cutting the old growth forests in the Clayoquot SoundHow?

Civil Disobedience – Protesters peacefully blocked logging roads

using “sit-downs”Result 800 arrested, received warnings, fines or sentences. Issue brought to public attention. In 2000, Clayoquot Sound was designated a UN biosphere reserve.