Functions Of Pressure Groups

Question 1

Education

Answer 1

+ Provide information and education on issues

+ If a PG is against pollution, it will educate the public on how bad it is

+ Amnesty International produces an annual report on human rights violations

COUNTER: information often inaccurate. CBI said that a minimum wage would spell the end of the economy

Question 2

Representation

Answer 2

+ Speak up for underrepresented groups

+ Stonewall stands up for the LGBTQ+ community

Question 3

Participation

Answer 3

+ Party membership may be falling but PG membership is growing

+ Allow people to campaign on a single issue which some find more attractive

+ 38Degrees claims a membership of 2.5 million, far bigger than any political party

Question 4

Policy formation

Answer 4

+ Pressure groups can be credited with developing and creating policy which the government or parties choose to adopt

+ NSPCC first called for the creation of the Children’s Tsar

Question 5

Policy implementation

Answer 5

+ Called in to help execute government policy

+ NFU helps implement agricultural policy

+ Shelter helped with the Mayor of London’s “No Second Night on the Streets” campaign

Question 6

Scrutiny

Answer 6

+ Hold those in power accountable

+ Greenpeace regularly emails its members on the government’s environmental policy

+ In 2015 WWF started criticising the government’s non-commitment to renewable energy

Question 7

Ways in which PGs promote participation

Answer 7

1) Educate the public to make them more inclined to participate
2) Encourage members to vote in elections for parties who share similar views to the PG like the Electoral Reform Society and the Liberal Democrats
3) Challenge government and promote activity in between elections

Question 8

Who would argue that pressure groups are effective at enhancing participation?

Answer 8

Pluralists

Question 9

In what ways are pressure groups effective at promoting participation?

Answer 9

• Numbers have increased (membership and groups)
• Supplement elections
• Act as a point of information and education
• Can participate in policy formulation, although usually reserved for insiders
• Represent specialist groups and minorities

Question 10

Who would argue that pressure groups do not effectively promote participation?

Answer 10

Elitists

Question 11

In what ways are pressure groups ineffective at promoting participation?

Answer 11

• Arguably pursue narrow self interest
• Unaccountable and unelected so can act without constraints
• Lack legitimacy
• Despite growth in PGs, participation in elections has fallen
• Chequebook membership i.e. RSPB