pressure groups

Question 1

what are pressure groups

Answer 1

A pressure group is an organised group of people that aims to influence the policies or actions of government.

Question 2

what are the three features of pressure groups

Answer 2

• They seek to exert influence from outside, meaning they don’t try to win political power in the same way as a party
• Typically have a ‘narrow issue’ focus, for example, environmental issues
• Members are united by a shared belief or common set of interests. Parties, on the other hand, are united by, broadly, an ideological viewpoint

Question 3

what are the 4 types of pressure groups

Answer 3

• interest groups
• cause groups
• insider groups
• outsider groups

Question 4

what are interest groups?

Answer 4

they represent a certain ‘section’ of society, for example, trade unions. Examples are like teachers medical i

Question 5

what are cause groups?

Answer 5

they seek to promote a particular cause, for example, charities and environmental groups.

Question 6

what are insider groups

Answer 6

these are groups regularly consulted by the government, with regular access to government ministers. The CBI is an example of this. normally having aims in line with the government

Question 7

what are outsider groups

Answer 7

these are groups with no links or access to government. They have to use other ways to have an impact, for example using the media or trying to influence public opinion. Examples include groups such as the Animal Liberation Front.
- Such groups may purposefully choose to be outsiders (due to their radicalism) or simply be denied access to government.

Question 8

how do pressure groups exert pressure?

Answer 8

• Parliament: some groups exert influence through Parliament, through lobbying MPs, for example.
• Political Parties: some groups try to develop links with political parties. The link between the trade unions and the Labour Party is the best example of this.
• Public opinion: outsider groups tend to try to influence public opinion in order to indirectly influence government policy. If enough public support for a particular issue is garnered, this will pressurise the government into taking action on the issue

Question 9

what makes pressure groups successful

Answer 9

• Insider status​
• Wealth ​
• Large membership​
• Organisation​
• Expertise ​
• Celebrity Endorsement