Pressure Groups Flashcards
Elitism definition
Power is concentrated in the hands of a few
Ideology definition
A set of opinions or beliefs shared by a group of people or an individual
Insider pressure group definition
A pressure group that works inside the government, with the government
Outsider pressure group definition
pressure groups with no special link with government but seek to influence decision makers by mobilising public opinion
Partisan dealignment definition
People are relating less and less with political parties and instead they are becoming more involved with pressure groups
Pressure group definition
An association that may be formal or informal, whose purposes is to further the interests of a specific section of society or to promote a particular cause by influencing the government, the public or both
Promotional pressure group definition
A pressure group that seeks to promote a cause rather than the interests of its own members
Sectional pressure group definition
A pressure group that represents a specific section of society and their views
Direct action definition
The use of acts such as strikes, demonstrations and sabotage to achieve a political goal
Functional representation definition
The function of associations, usually pressure groups, which represent specific sections of society based on occupation, age, gender, income, ethnicity, sexuality etc
What is a pluralist democracy
A democracy where the demands and interests of many different groups in society are taken into consideration in policy making
How is the UK a pluralistic democracy
Anyone can form a political party
People can become involved in democracy through pressure groups
What is a new social movement
Broadly based, fairly informal movements that emerge, sometimes very rapidly, around a particular issue
What are the characteristics of a new social movement
Appear on the political scene rapidly
Many thousands of instant followers
Concerned with a narrow range of issues or one issue
Often temporary
Methods are striking and flamboyant - e.g. Civil disobedience
Have lose informal organisation
Followers have an intense attachment to the issue/cause
What are new social movement examples
Anti-pole tax federation
Peoples fuel lobby
Anti-Iraq war coalition
What is an example of a sectional pressure group
Age UK
Confederation of British industry
National union of British students
What is an example of a promotional pressure group
ASH
Friends of the earth
What is an example of an insider pressure group
NFU
What is an example of an outsider pressure group
Cancer research
Age UK
ASH
How are pressure groups different from political parties
Political parties seek power, pressure groups don’t
Pressure groups have one focus/cause, political parties have many
Parties have official structures, pressure groups don’t
Pressure groups can be undemocratic - unelected leaders, party leaders are elected
Why are pressure groups important
Partisan dealignment - give people something else to relate to
People are more educated and informed and may be more likely to join a pressure group due to partisan dealignment
Growing affluence means people have become more involved in political issues
What methods are used by pressure groups
Direct action Civil disobedience Lobbying ministers - persuading them Advising ministers - usually insider groups Taking a person or organisation to court
Why are some pressure groups more successful than others
Wealth
Access to government
Celebrity endorsement
Some evolve into parties, e.g. UKIP
How do pressure groups enhance pluralism
They disperse power
Ensure many groups are able to exert influence on government
Help protect minority interests
Balance the power of central government - Promote local issues
How do pressure groups not enhance pluralism
Some pressure groups concentrate power in the hands of a few
Some pressure groups may have a disproportionate amount of power
Some pressure groups may not be democratic - unelected leaders
Influential insider groups may limit the access of smaller groups
How do pressure groups enhance democracy
Represent small groups in society that may be ignored by government
They disperse power widely
Educate and inform the public on important issues
Help educate government ministers on policies
Provide ways for people to be involved in politics
Allow people to air their grievances
Help hold the government to account and shape legislation
How do pressure groups hinder democracy
They can undermine the authority of the elected government
They may be concerned with their own interests only, not other views
Hyper pluralism - government can’t act because decisions are too slow
They are undemocratic and unaccountable
Commit acts of civil disobedience and direct action
Some wealthy pressure groups may exert more power than what is fair for their cause - bankers association
What are the functions of pressure groups
Educate and inform
Help individual MPs
Functional representation
What are the features of insider pressure groups
Work in the government - are consulted
Help to influence policies directly - can talk to MPs
Can’t commit crimes
Are accountable - must act responsibly
May lose independence - adopt the same policies as their political contacts
What are the features of outsider pressure groups
Work outside of the government - not consulted
Use direct action to influence policies indirectly
Are unaccountable - can commit crimes
Don’t need to act responsibly
Little risk of losing independence
What are the features of a pluralism democracy
Power is diapered - multi party system
Wide range of beliefs tolerated
Easy to become involved in pressure groups - e.g. through pressure groups
Lost of pressure groups with political powe, e.g. Green peace
What are the features of an elitist democracy
Power is held by a few - e.g. a two or one party system
A wide range of beliefs and political views are not tolerated, e.g. Syria
People cannot easily vie one involved in politics
Few pressure groups that are very powerful, e.g. NFU - disproportional influence
Dual-function pressure group definition
May be both sectional and promotional - some preform a service or set of services for their members as well as campaign within political systems on their behalf
