Pressure groups

Question 1

Pressure groups?

Answer 1

Organised bodies looking to influence government decisions by defending common interest or promoting a cause.

Question 2

Sectional?

Answer 2

Groups representing specific sections of society.

EG. European movement UK

Question 3

Cause?

Answer 3

Groups promoting cause that they believe would benefit the majority.
EG. Ocean Rescue and Greenpeace

Question 4

Insider?

Answer 4

Groups operating within govt.

EG. CBI and BMA

Question 5

Outsider?

Answer 5

Groups with no govt. link .

EG. Charter 88

Question 6

Dual Function?

Answer 6

Groups both sectional and cause.

Question 7

Features of PGs? (4)

Answer 7

1) PGs do not seek power
2) PGs have a narrow agenda
3) PGs dont have to be accountable
4) PGs mobilise public opinion

Question 8

Features of Political Parties? (4)

Answer 8

1) PPs seek power
2) PPs adopt wide range agenda
3) PPs are accountable
4) PPs must be responsible

Question 9

Why are lines blurred between PGs and PPs? (5)

Answer 9

1) PGs have put candidates up for election
2) PGs can convert into parties
3) Trade Unions and think tanks adopt broad agenda
4) PGs have to be accountable to members
5) PPs have PGs links which are disobedient

Question 10

Types of sectional PGs? (3)

Answer 10

1) Trade unions - Unite and RMT
2) Economic - Institute of directiors and Taxpayers’ alliance
3) Medical - Multiple Serosis society and Heart foundation

Question 11

Types of cause PGs? (3)

Answer 11

1) Greenpeace
2) Friends for Earth
3) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Question 12

Types of insider PGs? (4)

Answer 12

1) Confederation of British Industry
2) National Farmers’ Union
3) Commission for equality and human rights
4) Russian Oligarchs

Question 13

Types of outsider PGs? (3)

Answer 13

1) Greenpeace
2) Association of British Drivers
3) Trade unions - subject to govt.

Question 14

Outsider by cause? (2)

Answer 14

1) Greenpeace - Civil disobedience

2) Amnesty International

Question 15

Nature of insider? (2)

Answer 15

1) Regularly Consulted

2) Largely protective groups

Question 16

Categories of insiders? (3)

Answer 16

1) Core - Two way relations - BMA
2) Specialist - Narrow field of expertise - RSPB and WWF
3) Peripheral - Rarely used - Canine Defence League

Question 17

Outside by necessity?

Answer 17

Work outside of govt. to work effectively or are unlikely to achieve high status within govt.

Question 18

Ideological outsiders?

Answer 18

PGs who prefer to remain outside of Govt.

Question 19

Pressure group methods? (4)

Answer 19

1) Lobbying - insider - NFU, CBI and Citi
2) Parliamentary methods - outsider - success for uni fees and fox hunting ban
3) Direct Action - outsider - Jewish Council in light of Labour anti-semitism
4) Mobilising public opinion - outsider - Winter fuel allowance

Question 20

PGs democratic? (5)

Answer 20

1) Provides education
2) Provides representation
3) Prevents tyranny of majority
4) Increases participation
5) Disperses power

Question 21

PGs undemocratic? (5)

Answer 21

1) Provides PG controlled education
2) Disproportionate influence
3) PGs are a form of tyranny
4) Monetary funds determine success
5) Size carries weight

Question 22

PGs enhance democracy? (4)

Answer 22

1) Gives people the opportunity to express views
2) Defends minority interests
3) Compensates for where the political system lacks
4) Created a check on govt.

Question 23

PGs don’t enhance democracy? (3)

Answer 23

1) PGs are a form of ‘Tyranny of the majority’
2) Govt. chooses who they listen to
3) Form of ‘ruling oligarchy’

Question 24

Functions of PGs? (6)

Answer 24

1) Acts as a check on Govt.
2) Helping individual MPs - Music Act 2012
3) Representation - Age UK, European Movement UK
4) Educate - Ocean Rescue
5) Political participation - Taxpayers’ Alliance organises online petitions
6) Ensures the continuation of peaceful democracy - Pro EU movements

Question 25

What determines PGs success? (7)

Answer 25

1) Philosophy - Labour and trade unions
2) Finance - Russian Oligarchs and Conservatives
3) Size - Larger groups, more likely to be listened to
4) Organisation
5) Status - insider - NFU
6) Celebrity endorsement
7) Opposition groups