Pressure groups

Question 1

whats the difference between political parties and pressure groups?

Answer 1

pressure groups simply seek influence but parties seek election and power

Question 2

what is pluralism and how do pressure groups encourage it

Answer 2

pluralism is when political power is more distributed across the country, rather than concentrated within the political elite. pressure groups give normal people an access to influencing politics

Question 3

difference between causal groups and sectional?

Answer 3

• causal groups campaign on a particular issue or cause and have open membership e.g., RSPCA
• Sectional groups only serve the issues which face their members. membership is restricted to a particular job or group e.g., BMA or other trade unions

Question 4

difference between insider and outsder groups?

Answer 4

• insider groups have a relationship with the government and can access officials and people who make legislative decisions. although, their influence significantly relies on what party is in power e.g., trade unions weak when tories in power
• outsiders lack relationship with government and thus have to resort to action which influences the public and hopefully pressure the govt that way

Question 5

what are the different methods of outsider groups?

Answer 5

• Publicity campaigns
• public demonstrations - BLM march in london 2020
• publicity stunts or use of well known spokes person e.g., 2008 joanna lumley gurkha justice campaign
• civil disobediance e.g., yellow vest protests in france
• bring test court cases or give evidence at hearings e.g., RSPCA secured over 1.4 thousand convictions relating to animal abuse

Question 6

what factors influence success?

Answer 6

• status
• funding - 2012, the british bankers association paid lobbyists to lobby ministers to cut corperation tax
• govt in charge
• access to govt
• popularity - green peace has had backlash over its practices
• size - 2015, RSPB utilised its 500,000 membership for its Big Garden Watch
• government ideals

Question 7

what are think tanks and an example?

Answer 7

• group of experts who investigate topics and suggest solutions or policies
• a right wing think tank is the adam smith institute who often helped margaret thatcher develop policy
• a left wing one would be the fabian society

Question 8

what are the issues with think tanks?

Answer 8

• the have to be inline with current govt to be useful
• they are often filled by enthusiastic young people who might not have too much experience in politics e.g., David Milliband

Question 9

what are lobbyists?

Answer 9

• lobbyists are people hired to negotiate with MPs to influence them to support a cause
• this can be often corrupt, MPs are often offered money in exchange for them to support what the person paying them wants - questions representative function
• however, this has been improved in 2014 where lobbyists have to register activities