Why Campaign Groups Are The New Political Parties

Today, whichever party wins an election the policies of the previous government continue, albeit with a different marketing spin.  Is it not surprising that people find it difficult to differentiate between the three main parties?  Yet we live in extraordinary times, financial collapse, high unemployment, and widening inequality have drawn comparisons with the 30s. The difference being that back in the 30s politics was real. Imagine a chamber with politicians as diverse as Oswald Mosley, Winston Churchill, and Clement Attlee.  Debate was an ideological battle between competing groups.  It was politics in the raw.  Today’s politics is sterile by comparison.  Fierce debate in the chamber has largely been replaced by indistinguishable governments rehashing the same ideas. No wonder people are frustrated and cynical, and seeking new ways to voice their concerns.

Using the means of social networking, and fuelled by disillusionment, there has been a dramatic growth in campaign enterprises.  These campaign groups cover a variety of issues ranging from climate change to world poverty; from political reform, to fighting government spending cuts.  Campaign groups are radically replacing political parties as the voice of the people. The advantage of campaign groups is their ability to focus on one issue and relentlessly pursue it through creative and innovative techniques.  Campaigners fill gaps where politicians are either too frightened to go, or have been advised to avoid.  For example, take bankers’ bonuses.  A recent online campaign in Holland to axe Dutch bankers’ bonuses, successfully worked by threatening a run on the bank.

Campaigning organisations are not a new phenomena.   One of the most successful and famous campaign organisations is Green Peace.  It started out in 1971 with anti-nuclear protests in Vancouver, and now has offices in over 40 countries.   Campaign groups come in different shapes and sizes.  UK Uncut has become a voice for many people dissatisfied with the government cuts.  UK Uncut has mobilised young people in a way that the main political parties can only dream of.  38 Degrees is a UK political pressure group that is trying to replicate the success of Get Up in Australia.  Other online campaign platforms such as Avaaz.org provide petition signing facilities.  Campaigns need funds, and that is why we have recently launched Advertactivist.com which helps groups and charities raise money to fund their advert and media campaigns.

Campaign groups cannot change laws directly, only parliament can do that.  However, they can raise awareness and put pressure on governments, corporations and individuals to act.  The sad truth is in today’s world you would probably have a greater impact by joining a campaign group than by going into politics.

Political parties need to forget focus groups and learn from campaign groups. They must gather members from a broader social spectrum, and encourage members with energy and flair.  We would not have the National Health Service today if Attlee had not given Nye Bevan free reign.  This is unlikely to happen under our present political system, and consequently, campaign groups have indeed become the new political parties.

Comments

[Jack]

Great article - and very true!

[Marketing Campaigns]

From the last few years, marketing campaigns has been growing. Consumer and businesses use this method to grow sales. The internet is a tool that works well to promote actions and campaigns directed to the younger generations.

Marketing Campaigns

[Marketing Campaigns]

From the last few years, marketing campaigns has been growing. Consumer and businesses use this method to grow sales. The internet is a tool that works well to promote actions and campaigns directed to the younger generations.
Marketing Campaigns