Pressure And Protest Groups

Question 1

What is an insider pressure group?

Answer 1

. Are groups which have regular contact with decision makers
. Generally work behind the scenes rather than engaging in high profile publicity stunts that could embarrass the government and threaten the groups privileged status
. Tend to have mainstream goals

These groups have a more positive relationship with those in government compared to outsider groups

Question 2

What are outsider pressure groups?

Answer 2

. Do not have regular contact with decision makers
. Are often forced to engage in publicity stunts as a means of moving their cause or interest up the political agenda
. Often campaign on issues that provoke controversy

These groups are generally disliked by the government and other political groups

Question 3

What are some of the traditional methods of pressure groups?

Answer 3

. Letter writing campaigns
. Petitions
. Public demonstrations
. Conventional lobbying

E.g. In Feb 2003 and estimated 1million people took to the streets as part of stop the war coalitions efforts to persuade the government to not deploy UK forces to Iraq

Question 4

How are pressure groups good for democracy?

Answer 4

. Pressure groups allow for the strength of opinions to be expressed, as opposed to simply counting the number of people supporting that view
. Pressure groups allow for a much wider amount of views to be represented than is seen via political parties, particularly in a post - ideological age of catch all parties