Pressure Groups 1

Question 1

Define: Pressure group

Answer 1

An association that may be formal or informal, whose purpose is to further the interests of a specific section of society or to promote a particular cause by influencing government, the public or both

Question 2

Features of pressure groups

Answer 2

They attempt to influence decisions - not make them
They operate on a relatively narrow range of issues
They operate at different levels of government

Question 3

Westminster Parliament - Pressure groups operate in both Houses of Parliament with what

Answer 3

Legislative committees

Question 4

Areas of government that pressure groups may enter consultation with

Answer 4

Policy bodies, ministers and civil servant - early stages
Westminster Parliament
Welsh, Scottish, Northern Ireland or London governments - When the issue is regional
Local government - When the issue is local
European Union level -
Law courts

Question 5

Why may a pressure group operate in the law courts

Answer 5

Where they feel a section of society has been discriminated against,
If they feel the policy is not being implemented fairly

Question 6

Why may a pressure group operate at European Union levels

Answer 6

If the issue involves agriculture, fisheries and trade

Question 7

What are the functions of pressure groups

Answer 7

They play a key part in the governing process
Occasionally they may help individual MPs or peers who are trying to promote private members’ legislation
Representation
To educate and inform the public
Opportunity for political participation
Make government accountable and responsive
Scrutinise legislative and policy proposals
Allow peaceful protests

Question 8

Define: Functional representation

Answer 8

The function of associations, usually pressure groups, which represent specific sections of society based on occupation, age, gender, income, etc.

Question 9

Similarities between parties and pressure groups similar

Answer 9

Both representative
Some pressure groups put up candidates for election despite not seeking power
Single issue parties
Some pressure groups - such as trade unions adopt a wide range of policies and so appear quite similar to parties
Some pressure groups are very closely associated with parties

Question 10

Differences between pressure groups and parties

Answer 10

1. Parties seek power
2. Parties must accept responsibility for all the policies that they propose
3. Pressure groups have much narrower concerns
4. Parties must behave in a certain way since they are accountable and seek election

Question 11

Why do pressure groups put themselves forward for election

Answer 11

To raise publicity

Question 12

It is important to establish the classification of pressure groups because it can help us to explain their behaviour. It is normal to divide them into two types:

Answer 12

• Sectional (or interest) groups

- Cause, issue or promotional groups

Question 13

What is a sectional / interest group

Answer 13

Those that represent a specific section of society

Self-interested and thus concerned only with promoting the best interests of their members

Question 14

What is a cause / issue / promotional group

Answer 14

Groups that do not have a specific section of the community to represent. They claim to be serving the interests of the whole community

Question 15

What are dual-function groups

Answer 15

May both be sectional and cause-based. Represent a certain group as well as everyone’s best interests

Question 16

Vague example of how local demands can clash with national demands

Answer 16

National demands for renewable energy often clash with local opposition to the creation of wind farms

Question 17

Cancer research and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children are also pressure groups. They are seeking funds and / or _____________ from the _____________ to help those whom they serve

Answer 17

Legislation

Government

Question 18

What is an insider pressure group

Answer 18

Pressure groups that operate inside the political system through contacts with ministers, MPs, peers and official committees, They are regularly consulted by govt.

Question 19

What is an outsider pressure group

Answer 19

Pressure groups that have no special links with government but seek to influence decision makers by mobilising public opinion

Question 20

How do governments benefit from insider pressure groups

Answer 20

Pressure groups can provide them useful information

Question 21

How do insider pressure groups have an advantage

Answer 21

They take part in development of policy and so can hope to mould it to their own benefit. They may also be able to prevent unfavourable legislation at an early stage

Question 22

How are insider pressure groups involved with the HoC

Answer 22

They are often called to select committee meetings and so have a direct input into the process of making government fully accountable

Question 23

What is the European Commission

Answer 23

A status that gives pressure groups official access to commissioners who develop new policy

Question 24

Constraints of insider pressure groups

Answer 24

They must act responsibly since they’re associated with the govt.
They could lose their independence by being too close to the govt. and losing member support

Question 25

Reasons why a pressure group may not have insider status

Answer 25

They may prefer to be insiders but simply not have been invited - Aspiring insiders
It may prefer to remain outside the governing process to preserve its independence and its freedom of action

Question 26

What are new social movements (NSM)

Answer 26

Broadly based, fairly informal movements that emerge, sometimes very rapidly, around a particular issue. They are characterised by the organisation of mass demonstrations and media campaigns that are designed to create maximum publicity and to put political pressure upon decision makers

Question 27

Characteristics of new social movements

Answer 27

They appear on the political scene very rapidly
They are mass movements with many thousands of instant followers
They are concerned with a narrow range of issues or one single issue
They are often temporary, especially when they achieve some success
Their methods are striking, sometimes including acts of civil disobedience
They are loose, informal organisations
Their followers tend to have an intense attachment to the issue(s) in question

Question 28

Insiders and outsiders tend to adopt different methods

Answer 28

Outsiders will always to mobilise widespread public support as a means of influencing govt.
Insiders may welcome public support, but prefer to work directly with decision makers and opinion formers

Question 29

Define: Pluralism

Answer 29

A description of a political system where a wide range of beliefs and ideologies is tolerated
System where power is widely dispersed and not concentrated in a few hands
Pressure groups play a key role in a pluralist society

Question 30

Define: Pluralist democracy

Answer 30

A democratic system where the demands and interests of many different groups in society are recognised and taken into consideration in policy making

Question 31

Features of democracy

Answer 31

Freedom of information independent of govt.
People are represented
Govt. is fully accountable
Opportunities to participate
Rights of individuals and groups are taken into account
Democratic principles - free and fair elections, rule of law, equal rights, independent judiciary etc.

Question 32

Democratic features of pressure groups

Answer 32

Education
Representation
Participation
Minority interests
Dispersal of power (Pluralism)

Question 33

Undemocratic features of pressure groups

Answer 33

Disproportionate influence
Finance
Size
Elitism
Digital democracy
Internal democracy

Question 34

Methods of pressure groups

Answer 34

Lobbying
Parliamentary methods
Direct action
Mobilising public opinion

Question 35

Why are some pressure groups more successful than others

Answer 35

Philosophy - If group's beliefs and aspirations are close to those of the govt. of the day
Finance
Size
Organisation
Opposition groups
Insider status

Question 36

Reasons for changing nature and activities of pressure groups

Answer 36

Participation - Partisan dealignment - decrease in voter turnout
Digital democracy - E-petitions
More places to campaign - EU - Devolved assemblies
Human Rights Act
Direct Action more feasible

Question 37

Overall, membership of pressure groups has ___________

Answer 37

Increased

Question 38

Define: Functional representation

Answer 38

Functional representation is where there is representation in a legislative or political body based on the economic and social groups in a community
The nature of elections in the UK mean that this is mainly achieved through the contribution of pressure groups

Question 39

Reasons why pressure groups fail

Answer 39

Lack of popularity
Alienating the public
Govt. can resist campaign
Pressure group may contradict govt. policy

Question 40

How can digitalised democracy be undemocratic

Answer 40

Fake news
Campaigns can give the impression that a cause has widespread support when it doesn’t
Excessive influence from the ‘mass population’ may not be well informed

Question 41

Reasons why decision-making in Britain has spread over a much wider range of institutions:

Answer 41

The EU
Devolution
Importance of the courts

Question 42

What is meant by extra-party institutions

Answer 42

Think tanks, policy units, private advisors and working parties

Question 43

What do lobbyists do

Answer 43

Identify key decision makers, secure contacts with them and ensure that information that a pressure group wishes to share finds the appropriate target

Question 44

How has the rise of digital democracy helped pressure groups

Answer 44

E-petitions
Easier to organise campaigns
Pressure groups can reach more potential members
Publicity