| What is a Think Tank? | -Body of Experts that are brought Together to offer Solutions to Economic, Social and Political Problems |
| Give an Example of a
1. Non-Partisan Think Tank
2. ‘Left Wing’ Think Tank
3. ‘Right Wing’ Think Tank
(EX) | 1. ResPublica focuses on General Policy Issues. Chatha House prioritises International Affairs
2. Fabian Society deals with Issues concerning Social Justice and Equality. Institute for Public Policy Research [IPPR] researches and develops Centre-Left Policy Ideas
3. Adam Smith Institute which cares for Free Market Solutions to Economic Problems. Centre for Policy Studies promotes Ideas that was Popular during Thatcher’s Times |
| What are Lobbyists? | -Professions who are Paid to Persuade Decision Makers to Favour a Group or Cause.
-May be Individuals or Firms, so are Employed by them, like Animal Aid, Trade Unions and Foreign Governments. |
| What are Corporations | -Large Company / Group of Companies that operate as Single Entity.
-The Corporations Wealth may be so Large and Important to the UK Economy that Ignoring them may not be a Choice. |
| How do Think Thanks have Influence, but are Limited?
(EX) | -Centre for Social Justice very much Impacted the Coalition Government’s Welfare Reforms, leading to Introduction of Universal Credit
-However, Think Tanks are usually Aligned to a Party - Adam Smith Foundation may have little Influence when Labour is in Chagre |
| How do Lobbyists have Influence, but are Limited?
(EX) | -Lobby Firms spend £2 Bil every Year to Influence Decision Making, and Employ 4K
-Concerns have been Raised that Influence has been Bought.
-However, MPs has Rules Limiting them to Accept Money from Lobbyists that aim for the MP to Agree with Lobbyists Viewpoints - Must be Registered in Electorate Commission |
| How do Corporations have Influence, but are Limited?
(EX) | -Corporations Donate to Parties Campaigns and also Fund Think Tanks - Links to Concern of Influence being Bought
- 1/5 Conservative Donations came from Corporations in 2019 Election
-However, Corporations don’t get Everything they want. Most Large Corporations Opposed Brexit. |
| Give Exam Tip concerning about Think Tanks, Lobbyists and Corporations | -If the Question cares for Think Tanks and Lobbyists, only Focus on them 2 and not Corporations and Pressure Groups
-Helpful to Repeat Woods in Question in Every Paragraph to keep the Answer Relevant. ‘Point is Relevant to Question because…’ |
