1.3 Pressure Groups And Other Influences

Question 1

Do Pressure Groups promote democracy in the UK? (YES)

Answer 1

• Group politics supplement electoral politics and helps compensate for the slow decline in party membership and voter turnout
• Group politics is flexible and ever changing, allowing increased participation
• Allows for new causes and interests to emerge and be heard
• Helps to engage some sections of society who feel socially excluded or ignored
• Counter- balance to centralised government power

Question 2

Do Pressure Groups promote democracy in the UK? (NO)

Answer 2

• The unaccountable power of groups is a threat to democracy, due to a lack of transparency and accountability
• Narrows political participation and excludes the majority
• Places too much power and influence in the hands of minority groups (narrow elite)
• New forms of participation are often superficial

Question 3

What is a pressure group?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

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 5

What are the main classifications of pressure groups?

Answer 5

• Sectional groups
• Cause groups
• Social movements

Question 6

What do cause or promotional groups seek to do? - Give an example

Answer 6

Promote issues of interest to its members and supporters in relation to a particular topic
ie. Greenpeace - Promotes environmental issues

Question 7

What do sectional or interest groups seek to do?

Answer 7

Seek to protect the interest of members
ie. CBI - represents interests of business leaders and entrepreneurs

Question 8

What do single cause groups seek to do?

Answer 8

Have a solid focus on a singular issue
ie. CND - Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Question 9

What do multi-cause groups seek to do?

Answer 9

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

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

Question 10

What is an insider group?

Answer 10

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

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

Question 11

What is an outsider group?

Answer 11

Groups that cannot be seen to be influencing the government.

Question 12

What determines where a group is insider or outsider?

Answer 12

Their methods. (or the current government)

If an insider group is aligned (formally or informally) with the government then they are more likely to become insider groups.

Question 13

How do pressure groups take indirect action?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

How do pressure groups take direct action?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What are the two actions that pressure groups can take?

Answer 15

• Direct
• Indirect

Question 16

What are the types of illegal Direct Action?

Answer 16

• Terrorism
• Violence
• Criminal Damage

Question 17

What is a think tank?

Answer 17

An organisation set up to develop public policy or lobby decision makes in the the hope that they will adopt policies in a particular political direction

Question 18

Define a Pressure Group?

Answer 18

An organised group of people who are trying to persuade a government or ither authority to do something, for example to change a law

Question 19

Outline three key features of pressure groups

Answer 19

• They seek to exert influence from outside government
• They typically have a narrow issue focus
• Their members are united by a shared belief in a cause or a common set of interests

Question 20

Define Interest group (sectional)

Answer 20

Exists to advance or protect the interests of its members

Question 21

Define Peak groups (sectional)

Answer 21

Association of industries or groups with common interests, which pool resources and work together to achieve their aims

Question 22

Define Cause Groups (promotional)

Answer 22

Based on shared values, ideals and principles, where objectives may not necessarily directly benefit its members

Question 23

Define Insider Groups

Answer 23

Enjoys regular consultation with government
i.e. BMA, National Education Union

Question 24

Define Outsider Groups

Answer 24

Either not consulted by government or does not want to be closely involved with government
i.e. Black Lives Matter, Extinction rebellion

Question 25

Outline methods used by pressure groups

Answer 25

• Lobbying
• Public campaigning/media campaigns
• Giving grants to political parties
• Media campaigns
• Civil disobedience/Direct Action
• Social media and e-petitions
• Legal Action: taking the government to court

Question 26

Factors influencing the success of a pressure group

Answer 26

• Resources
• Unity
• Celebrity endorsement
• Compatibility with the aims of government
• Good leadership

Question 27

Factors influencing the failure of a pressure group

Answer 27

• ‘Chequebook membership’
• Countervailing forces (conflict between different pressure groups)
• Loss of public support
• Government can resist pressure
• Small membership

Question 28

Define Lobbyists

Answer 28

Professionals who are employed to lobby government to try to persuade decision makers to favour a particular group or cause

Question 29

Define Corporations

Answer 29

A large company or group of companies authorised to act as a single entity and recognised as such in law