Pressure Groups

Question 1

What is a pressure group? [4]

Answer 1

An association of people who share certain political goals
Seek to either defend or further the interests of a section of society, or a cause or issue
Don’t seek to gain political office, just to influence
Mobilise a widespread amount of support

Question 2

What is a sectional pressure group? Include an example

Answer 2

A group representing a section of society. Interested only in the interest of that group and have narrow goals

NUS - National Union of Students

Question 3

What is a promotional group? Include an example

Answer 3

Groups concerned with a cause or issue. Believe the whole community will benefit from their cause or issue

Friends of the Earth, Unlock democracy

Question 4

How do insider groups function? [4]

Answer 4

Regularly consulted by ministers, civil servants and policy advisors
Consulted by parliament committees
Have representatives sitting on policy and advisory committees
Have direct access to the necessary authorities

Question 5

Example of an insider pressure group

Answer 5

BMA, NUT

Question 6

How do Outsider pressure groups operate? [4]

Answer 6

Seek to mobilise public support
Use direct action such as street demonstrations
Use media campaigns
Also use petitions

Question 7

Example of an outsider pressure group

Answer 7

CND - Campaign for nuclear disarmament

Question 8

Differences between pressure groups and parties [4]

Answer 8

Parties seek to gain government power, PG’s don’t
Parties develop a wide range of policy, PG’s are single issue
Parties are accountable for policy, PGs aren’t
Parties are formal organisations, PGs are more loose

Question 9

Why would a pressure gourd put up a candidate for election

Answer 9

To gain more influence

Question 10

What is pluralism? [4]

Answer 10

A situation where a variety of ideas can flourish together
Power is dispersed
Different cultures and lifestyles exist together in society
Different groups have the same rights and receive equal treatment

Question 11

What is elitism [3]

Answer 11

A situation where power is concentrated
A political system where only a few people hold most of the power
Most groups in society are denied power or influence

Question 12

How do pressure groups enhance pluralism? [4]

Answer 12

Disperse power widely
Allow many groups to exert political influence
Protect interests of groups of society
Balance the power of centralised government

Question 13

How do pressure groups enhance elitism? [4]

Answer 13

• wealthy, influential pressure groups concentrate power in few hands
  Insider groups may seek to concentrate government power
  Some groups may be led by unaccountable elites
  Some groups may have too much power

Question 14

Why are pressure groups becoming more important? [4]

Answer 14

Membership of political parties is declining
Electorate is now better informed
Social media makes it more practical to mount campaigns
Number and membership of pressure groups have increased

Question 15

Main methods used by pressure groups [6]

Answer 15

Lobbying ministers
Sitting on advisory and policy committees
Organising mass public demonstrations
Media campaigns
Civil disobedience
Internet campaigns

Question 16

Why are ministers lobbied and give an example?

Answer 16

To allow pressure groups to influence decisions and policy

Confederation of British Industry

Question 17

Give an example of a mass public demonstration

Answer 17

Stop the War Coalition

Question 18

Who uses civil disobedience to attract public attention

Answer 18

Greenpeace

Question 19

Give an example of a pressure group who expolited their resources

Answer 19

Countryside alliance organised mass demonstrations in London. Anti fox legislation was watered down in 2004

Question 20

Give an example of a pressure group who used tactics

Answer 20

Save England’s Forests used a huge e petition and celebrity involvement. Plans to sell off publicly owned forest in 2010 were cancelled

Question 21

Give an example of a pressure group who used celebrity involvement

Answer 21

Justice for Gurkhas used Joanna Lumley (actress). Government in 2009 allowed Gurkhas to settle in the UK

Question 22

Ways pressure groups enhance democracy [5]

Answer 22

Represent groups and causes ignored by the government 
Help to disperse power more widely
Educate and inform the public
Provide ways to participate in politics
Provide an outlet for public grievance

Question 23

Ways pressure groups damage democracy [5]

Answer 23

Undermine the authority of elected officials and parliament
Could provide the public with false information
PGs lack elective legitimacy and aren’t democratically accountable
Those that engage in civil disobedience threaten the order of society
Leaders of some elitist groups may not reflect views of the groups membership