Evaluate the view that the influence of pressure groups in the UK is damaging the democratic system.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Represenation
• Education
• Provide Expertise

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

They are damaging for democracy as they largely work in their own self-interest, not the nations.

Question 3

Disagree - Representation - Point

Answer 3

Due to the First-Past-the-Post System there are sections of society which are not well represented within the political system - pressure groups can help with this.

Question 4

Disagree - Represenation - Examples

Answer 4

• The Green Party has only 1 seat, but gained nearly 900,000 votes in the 2019 general election. Groups like Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain are advocating for climate change
• Women’s Aid is a pressure group that has a massive success when the government passed the Domestic Abuse Act in April 2021

Question 5

Agree - Represenation - Point

Answer 5

The causal pressure groups stand for specific causes and are selfish. They will put across their own views rather than what is best for democracy

Question 6

Agree - Representation - Examples

Answer 6

• Greenpeace wanted to ban seal hunting, however, they failed to realise the impact it would have on Greenland’s Inuit population
• NIBYS who join specific pressure groups tend to have a direct link to the cause - Stop Heathrow Expansion is mainly formulated of those who would be affected by the increased air traffic

Question 7

Disagree - Education - Point

Answer 7

Pressure groups are good at drawing attention to and educating people on issues they might otherwise not know about

Question 8

Disagree - Education - Examples

Answer 8

• The government’s ‘Policing Bill’ put restrictions on the right to protest. The Kill The Bill pressure group raised awareness and organised marches across the country.
• Human Rights groups such as Amnesty Internation and Liberty have raised concerns over the Bill of Rights currently going through Parliament

Question 9

Agree - Education - Point

Answer 9

Pressure groups do educate people, however, there are no rules to say the information they provide has to be factual - they can spread misinformation

Question 10

Agree - Education - Examples

Answer 10

• The pressure group Vote Leave made a bus saying that if the UK left the EU £350 million a week would go to the NHS - it was later determined there was no factual basis to this
• The World Doctors Alliance falsely claimed that Covid-19 was a hoax and that vaccines would cause widespread harm

Question 11

Disagree - Provide Expertise - Point

Answer 11

MPs tend to have a generalist view of policy, however, pressure groups can provide in depth knowledge on the subject to improve the quality of legislation

Question 12

Disagree - Provide Expertise - Examples

Answer 12

• The Muslim Council of Britain provided evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on radicalisation and challenges of media misinterpretation of Muslims and Islam
• The British Medical Association’s expertise during the pandemic proved invaluable

Question 13

Agree - Provide Expertise - Point

Answer 13

Who the government listenes to is a prime example of elitism. There are both insider and outsider pressure groups and the government only tend to listen to those who support their political philosophy

Question 14

Agree - Provide Expertise - Examples

Answer 14

• In 2011, 250,000 people from various teacher’s unions attended a march against cuts to public spending. A week later the Taxpayers Alliance organised a rally demanding faster cuts, only 350 people attended, yet the government listened to them.
• The Institute of Economic Affairs held massive influence over Liz Truss’s mini budget in Sepember 2022 which cost the UK £30bn