Pressure Groups

Question 1

What is a insider group

Answer 1

Consulted by government on specific issues
Have to have a strong public image so gov can trust them

Question 2

What is a outsider group

Answer 2

influence from the outside
some work for inner status and some are ideologically opposed to the government

Question 3

What is a cause group

Answer 3

aim to achieve a political goal and change peoples opinion on a issue

Question 4

What is a interest group

Answer 4

a group that aids to represent a specific section in society

Question 5

Examples of Insider groups

Answer 5

Liberty
Howard League for Penal Reform
British Medical Association
Action on smoking and health

Question 6

Examples of outsider groups

Answer 6

Amnesty International
Extinction Rebellion
Just stop oil

Question 7

Liberty

Answer 7

Liberty are a peaceful law abiding pressure group who seek to work with the government to avoid civil liberties being infringed in the first place.
Methods - petitions and campaigns

Question 8

Amnesty International

Answer 8

They are a group that aim to bring greater public awareness to human rights being abused and put pressure on the government.
Methods: Mass letter writing campaigns, petitions

Question 9

Howard league for penal reform

Answer 9

Campaigns for the civil rights of those who are incarcerated.
Methods: The group does detailed research into the impact of gov policy and holds meeting with government.

Question 10

British Medical Association(BMA)

Answer 10

Represents the rights of doctors and medical students.
Methods: lobbies the government to improve health care legislation.

Question 11

Extinction Rebellion

Answer 11

Campaign for government to tell the truth over climate change and act on stopping further bio-diversity loss.
Methods: peaceful mass protests, roadblocks
1800 protesters arrested in 2018

Question 12

Just Stop Oil

Answer 12

Campaign for stopping the use of fossil fuels
and government policy improving.
Methods: paint, glue to roads, roadblocks, vandalism.

Question 13

What makes some pressure groups successful

Answer 13

Wealth- if a group has wealthy members and a large fund they can make campaigns bigger
Size- Larger pressure groups can have greater lobbying success
Organisation/Leadership- if a group has a clear leader and are organised it can make look better as there is clear routs for accountability
Popular support- if there is a large support or membership for a group it can make influence more significant
Party affiliations- if a group has a strong affiliation with a party there influence is greater if that party is in power

Question 14

What are Lobbyists

Answer 14

individuals and firms that are paid by someone to influence the government or peers to act in their clients interests (particularly when legislation is being considered)

Question 15

What happened in the Owen Patterson scandal

Answer 15

Owen Patterson was a conservative MP that was discovered to be breaking lobbying rules. He repeatedly lobbied on behalf of two companies that were paying him more than £100,000 per year. He later resigned from his role as a MP after the government proposed a vote on his actions.

Question 16

What does revolving door politics mean

Answer 16

the revolving door refers to the process whereby ministers and civil servants leave there role in order to become a lobbyist and are able to user there connections to enhance lobbying impact.
E.g. David Cameron and Greensill capital where after Cameron left office he became a highly paid advisor to Greensill capital to lobby the government where at the start of the COVID crisis he attempted to persuade the government to join a initiative that would make them a lot of money

Question 17

Whats a think tank

Answer 17

A group of experts who provide advice and ideas on political, social and economic policy funded through private donations.

Question 18

PGs are good for democracy

Answer 18

PGs give people more opportunity to participate with politics.
e.g 40% of brits are a member of a PG
Can give a voice to unrepresented groups in society.

Question 19

PGs are bad for democracy

Answer 19

Most groups are small with limited participation
Can give a unrepresentative view of public opinion
Powerful and well-resourced groups often heard more by government - elitist
Revolving door politics