Pressure groups

Question 0

Explain the success factor - resources

Answer 0

Resources – financial and organisational, giving a group the ability and people to mount a major campaign

Question 1

Name 4 factors that ensure the success of pressure groups

Answer 1

1. Resources
2. Insider status
3. Tactics
4. Sharing the same agenda as the government

Question 2

Give an example of a pressure group who have used their resources effectively

Answer 2

The countryside Alliance organised mass demonstrations in London. Anti-fox hunting legislation was successfully watered down in 2004 following demonstrations.

Question 3

Explain the success factor - insider status

Answer 3

Insider status – being established in government circles and well trusted

Question 4

Given example where insider status has been used successfully

Answer 4

Action on smoking and health (ASH). A series of pieces of legislation introduced to deter and reduce smoking.

Question 5

Explain the success factor – tactics

Answer 5

Tactics – groups may find a good formula for influencing government and/or mobilising public support

Question 6

Give an example where tactics have been used successfully

Answer 6

The save England’s forests campaign use a variety of tactics, including huge E petition, celebrity campaigners, demonstrations and MP involvement. Government plans to sell off large quantities of publicly owned forest in 2010 were cancelled

Question 7

Explain the success factor – sharing the same agenda as the government

Answer 7

Sharing the same gender as the government – helps greatly when campaigning for change

Question 8

Give an example where sharing the same gender as the government has been successful

Answer 8

The Confederation of British Industry welcomed a new business-friendly government in 2010. It secured a commitment by government to reduce corporation tax on company profits by 14% over four years

Question 9

Do pressure groups enhance or damage democracy?

Answer 9

On the whole, pressure groups are seen as an important element in modern democracy. However there are senses in which they can be seen as undemocratic.

Question 10

There are seven ways in which pressure groups enhance democracies over the next seven cards you need to name one way and give an example

Answer 10

1. They often represent groups and courses that have been ignored by political parties e.g. plane stupid

Question 11

Name a 2nd way pressure groups enhance democracy

Answer 11

2. Help to disperse power more widely, preventing dangerous concentrations of power.

Question 12

Another way which pressure groups enhance democracy

Answer 12

3. They help to educate and inform the public about important issues.
   E.g. Greenpeace, RSPCA

Question 13

Another way the enhanced democracy

Answer 13

4. They may help the governing process by providing informed advice.
   E.g. countryside alliance, BMA

Question 14

A 5th way they help democracy

Answer 14

5. They can act as a control mechanism against over mighty government.
   E.g. surfers against sewage

Question 15

Is 6th way pressure groups enhance democracy

Answer 15

6. They provide ways in which people can participate in politics, especially at a time when traditional forms of participation are declining.
   E.g. National trust, Greenpeace, NUT

Question 16

The last way which pressure groups enhance democracy

Answer 16

7. They provide an outlet for people’s grievances – a process known as ‘tension release’.
   E.g. occupy, Liberty

Question 17

There are also 7 ways in which pressure groups do not support democracy over the following cards name 1 to 7.
Name 1 here with an examples

Answer 17

1. They may undermine the authority of elected officials and Parliament.
   E.g. BMI and trade unions such as NUT (National union of teachers)

Question 18

Name a 2nd way which pressure groups do not support democracy

Answer 18

2. They can be seen as representing the ‘politics of self interest’ and may present the public with biased or even full information.
   E.g. trade unions – UNITE

Question 19

Name a 3rd way which pressure groups do not support democracy

Answer 19

3. If they are too powerful, they may create ‘hyper-pluralism’ which can hold up the process of government by being too obstructive.
   E.g. trade unions – Unison or Greenpeace

Question 20

Name a 4th way which pressure groups do not support democracy

Answer 20

4. Pressure groups lack elective legitimacy and are not democratically accountable.
   E.g. Greenpeace

Question 21

Name a 5th way which pressure groups do not support democracy

Answer 21

5. Those that engage in civil disobedience threaten order in society and subvert democracy.
   E.g. occupy

Question 22

Name a 6th way which pressure groups do not support democracy

Answer 22

6. Some wealthy influential pressure groups may have more influence that can be justified.
   E.g. countryside alliance

Question 23

Name a 7th way which pressure groups do not support democracy

Answer 23

7. The leadership of some elitist groups may not reflect accurately the views of their membership.
   E.g. Greenpeace