1.3 - Pressure Groups and Other Influences

Question 1

What is a pressure group?

Answer 1

A group seeking to influence government policy to secure the interests of their members and supporters.

Question 2

What is the difference between a pressure group and a movement?

Answer 2

Pressure Group - Formal Organisation and Structure

Movement - Loosely organised, more of an idea than an organisation. Wider goals (The Occupy Movement is widely anti-capitalist as an idea)

They are still similar however, as pressure groups can evolve from social movements.

Question 3

What are main classifications of pressure groups?

Answer 3

• Sectional groups
• Cause Groups
• Single issue

Question 4

What do cause or promotional groups seek to do?

Answer 4

Promote issues of interest to its members and supporters in relation to a particular topic.

Greenpeace - Promotes environmental issues.

Question 5

What do sectional or interest groups seek to do?

Answer 5

Seek to protect the interest of members.

CBI - Represents interests of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Question 6

What do single cause groups seek to do?

Answer 6

Have a solid focus on a singular issue.

CND - Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Question 7

What do multi-cause groups seek to do?

Answer 7

Focus their attention on a wider range of issues under a generalised heading.

Trade Unions - Influence policy in relation to workers: pensions, insurance etc.

Question 8

What is an insider group?

Answer 8

Groups that the government may choose to consult. They will listen to their opinions.

NFU (National Farmer’s Union) are queried on food prices etc.

Question 9

What is an outsider group?

Answer 9

Groups that cannot be seen to be influencing the government.

Question 10

What determines where a group is insider or outsider?

Answer 10

• Their methods. (or the current government)
• If a pressure group is aligned (formally or informally) with the government then they are more likely to become insider groups.
• It’s just a classification rather than a formal thing.

Question 11

How do pressure groups take indirect action?

Answer 11

• Publicity
• Leaflets
• Petitions
• Providing Research on aspects of policy

Question 12

How do pressure groups take direct action?

Answer 12

• Illegal Direct Action
• Lobbying
• Protest
• Boycotts
• Civil Disobedience

Question 13

What are the two actions that pressure groups can take?

Answer 13

• Direct
• Indirect

Question 14

What are the types of Illegal Direct Action?

Answer 14

• Terrorism
• Violence
• Criminal Damage

Question 15

Why do some pressure groups have more influence than others?

Answer 15

• Some groups have more leverage than others. (i.e. holding the economy hostage) (road hauliers and farmers spearheading a movement to blockade oil refineries, so tax on fuel would fall.)
• Resources Available - Volunteers, people donating money to the cause etc.
• Tactics / Leadership - RSPCA secured the ban on hunting dogs in 2004 by collaborating with two similar groups.
• Public Support - If the public are aligned with the cause, it becomes much easier to influence government as a result.
• Government Attitudes - Insider contacts with government ministers and civil servants allow a major key to success for pressure groups.

Question 16

What is a think tank?

Answer 16

‘Ideas Factories’, with dedicated individuals who are head-hunted from academia.

Their sole job is to devise policy suggestions, with most therefore having a political leaning.

Question 17

What is an example of a very successful single cause group?

Answer 17

ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) - added the labelling to cigarette packaging and lobbied for bans on smoking in cars (with children present) and tubes etc.