Pressure Groups Flashcards
What is a pressure group
Seek to exert influence from outside rather than win or exercise govt power
Typically have narrow issue focus
Members share same belief
What is a sectional group
Concerned to protect or advance the interests of their members
Membership is limited to people in a particular occupation, career etc
Benefits members
Examples of sectional groups
British medical association
National union of teachers
What is a promotional group
Seek to advance particular ideas or principles
Open membership
Benefits wider society
Examples of promotional groups
Amnesty international
Shelter
Royal society for the protection of birds
Example of pressure group that is both sectional and promotional
The UK coalition of people living with hiv and aids
Because it is linked to activities for public health and education
Example p pressure group which has both sectional and promotional members
Third runway at gatwick
Because locals don’t want it due to space and noise
Others may have concerns about climate change
What are insider groups
Have access to policy makers
Low profile
Mainstream goals
Strong leadership
What are outsider groups
No access to policy makers
High profile
Radical goals
Strong grass roots
What are the functions of pressure groups
Representation Political participation Education Policy formulation Policy implementation
Problems with representation
Groups have a low level of internal democracy creating the possibility that they express the views of their leaders and not their members
Problem with participation
Chequebook groups
Problems with education
Biased and there’s no constraints on what a leader may say
Problem with policy formulation
Only insider groups are involved in policy formulation
Not elected so should not be accountable
Problems with policy implementation
Over close with govt so therefore endangering their independence
Unfair political leverage
