Pressure Groups Flashcards
What is a pressure group? [4]
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
What is a sectional pressure group? Include an example
A group representing a section of society. Interested only in the interest of that group and have narrow goals
NUS - National Union of Students
What is a promotional group? Include an example
Groups concerned with a cause or issue. Believe the whole community will benefit from their cause or issue
Friends of the Earth, Unlock democracy
How do insider groups function? [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
Example of an insider pressure group
BMA, NUT
How do Outsider pressure groups operate? [4]
Seek to mobilise public support
Use direct action such as street demonstrations
Use media campaigns
Also use petitions
Example of an outsider pressure group
CND - Campaign for nuclear disarmament
Differences between pressure groups and parties [4]
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
Why would a pressure gourd put up a candidate for election
To gain more influence
What is pluralism? [4]
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
What is elitism [3]
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
How do pressure groups enhance pluralism? [4]
Disperse power widely
Allow many groups to exert political influence
Protect interests of groups of society
Balance the power of centralised government
How do pressure groups enhance elitism? [4]
- 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
Why are pressure groups becoming more important? [4]
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
Main methods used by pressure groups [6]
Lobbying ministers Sitting on advisory and policy committees Organising mass public demonstrations Media campaigns Civil disobedience Internet campaigns
Why are ministers lobbied and give an example?
To allow pressure groups to influence decisions and policy
Confederation of British Industry
Give an example of a mass public demonstration
Stop the War Coalition
Who uses civil disobedience to attract public attention
Greenpeace
Give an example of a pressure group who expolited their resources
Countryside alliance organised mass demonstrations in London. Anti fox legislation was watered down in 2004
Give an example of a pressure group who used tactics
Save England’s Forests used a huge e petition and celebrity involvement. Plans to sell off publicly owned forest in 2010 were cancelled
Give an example of a pressure group who used celebrity involvement
Justice for Gurkhas used Joanna Lumley (actress). Government in 2009 allowed Gurkhas to settle in the UK
Ways pressure groups enhance democracy [5]
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
Ways pressure groups damage democracy [5]
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
