Factors influencing the success of pressure groups

Question 1

State all factors influencing pressure groups

Answer 1

Insider
Social status
Wealth
Celebrity
Public support
Size

Question 2

Factors influencing success of pressure groups: Insider (explain and case study)

Answer 2

Insider groups = Consulted by gov
Aims tend to be compatible with government and if they are important to the economy they will get sympathetic hearing from gov
Confederate of British Industry (CBI) works very closey with government to achieve economic growth and prosperity

Question 3

Factors influencing success of pressure groups: Social status (explain and case study)

Answer 3

Important social position in society e.g. doctor, nurse, police can increase success
Although they may not hav economic power, they have high social status (social power)
Nurses sometimes recieve support from public, e.g. when protesting pay cuts, recognising their key role in society

Question 4

Factors influencing success of pressure groups: Wealth (explain and case study)

Answer 4

Large industries, trade unions and charities can use large funds for campaign purposes and hire expensive lobbyists who advise on how best to conduct their campaign
Unison is a wealthy trade union with over 1.2 million members

Question 5

Factors influencing success of pressure groups: Calebrity (explain and case study)

Answer 5

Celebrity endorsement can help publicise a campaign

Joanna Lumley and fight for Gurkha’s rights

Question 6

Factors influencing success of pressure groups: Public support (explain and case study)

Answer 6

Some enjoy publuc support and sympathy. Even if the government is not concerned, it could feel pressure from the public to act
NSPCC campaigns against child cruelty have widespread public support, government is sympathetic to issues it supports

Question 7

Factors influencing success of pressure groups: Size (explain and case study)

Answer 7

Mass membership/represents large proportion of electorate more likely to suceed
Age UK represents 12 million pensioners. Older people have the highest turnout at elections, pensioners usually are well looked after by successive governments