1.3 Pressure Groups and Other Influences

Question 1

What is a pressure group?

Answer 1

Bodies of people that seek to influence the government in terms of policy or public opinion without gaining any political power themselves. Generally revolve around a single issue so there is a wide range in the UK

Question 2

Functions of Pressure Groups

Answer 2

.Allow people to participate in politics
.Influential in bringing issues to light
.Represent small, minority groups who individually have difficulty finding an influence
.Hold the government to account.

Question 3

What are 4 methods of how pressure groups gain influence?

Answer 3

. Lobbying
. Direct access to decision makers
. Influencing MP
. Influencing Parties

Question 4

What is Lobbying?

Answer 4

Lobbying is when you hire a lobbyist that works to push pressure on the government and influence them with your political agenda

Question 5

What is an example of a pressure group?

Answer 5

Probably the most well know pressure group of 2019 is Extinction Rebellion, a pressure group based around environmental protection and nature conservation. Other examples include Occupy London, and the anti Iraq involvement movement.

Question 6

Think Tank

Answer 6

A political institute that carries out research into political issues and tries to come up with solutions. Examples can be seen from the likes of Demos, a cross party political think tank

Question 7

What are sectional pressure groups?

Answer 7

Sectional groups represent a specific section of society.
Sectional groups do not campaign for broader issues.
Sectional groups are concerned with protecting and advancing the interests of their members.

Question 8

Examples of sectional pressure groups

Answer 8

House Builders Federation represents the voice of the house building industry
British Medical Association represents 160,000 doctors.

Question 9

What is a promotional or cause pressure group?

Answer 9

Promotional or Cause groups have a single issue which they are concerned with promoting.
Promotional groups promote ideas that don’t directly benefit their members but which they believe will benefit the public in general.
Promotional groups are more inclusive because they aim to create a large membership base.

Question 10

Examples of promotional or cause groups

Answer 10

Stop HS2 want to stop the building of the second high-speed rail line in the UK.
Greenpeace wish to end destruction of the environment.
Mediawatch-UK want to promote “family values in the media”.