Pressure Groups and Democracy

Question 1

Which group of political theorists say that pressure groups are beneficial for democracy?

Answer 1

Pluralists

Question 2

According to Pluralist theory, how are Pressure Groups good for democracy?

Answer 2

They afford minorities representation

Question 3

What are two examples of pressure groups successfully representing minority groups?

Answer 3

~Justice for Gurkhas

~Voluntary Euthanasia Society won Annie Lindsell’s right to deny life lengthening drugs for her motor neurone disease

Question 4

How would Elitists counter the idea that pressure groups allow for minority representation?

Answer 4

They often represent powerful interests and only increase their power rather than distributing it.

Question 5

What is an example of a pressure group that represents a group of already powerful people?

Answer 5

The Institute of Directors

Question 6

What effect do Pluralists say pressure groups have on participation?

Answer 6

They say that they enhance and facilitate political participation - especially outside of elections.

Question 7

What proportion of people are a member of at least one pressure group?

Answer 7

25-50%

Question 8

How Do Pressure Groups have an educative function?

Answer 8

They raise awareness of issues that may be otherwise overlooked by the government and/or media.

Question 9

What are two examples of how pressure group have allowed the public to challenge unpopular government decisions?

Answer 9

~38Degrees got 400,000 signatures on their petition within a week when the government proposed privatising forests.

~No2ID prevented the introduction of ID cards proposed by Tony Blair

Question 10

How would a Pluralist argue that pressure groups help the government make decisions?

Answer 10

They allow the government to gauge public opinion as MPs aren’t typically representative of the population.

Question 11

What are two examples of pressure groups helping the government gauge public opinion?

Answer 11

~The Caravan Club stopped the caravan tax in 2012

~The Association of British Drivers stopped all motorways becoming toll roads in 2007

Question 12

How would an elitist counter the argument that pressure groups allow the government to gauge public opinion?

Answer 12

Sometimes the government may act on behalf on a minority which is not representative if the consensus thereby giving them disproportionate influence.

Question 13

What is an example of a pressure group representing a minority having disproportionate influence?

Answer 13

The Independent Schools Association - which represents 7% of schools - got AS exams moved from June to May.

Question 14

What are two examples of pressure groups allowing for political debate?

Answer 14

~ASH and Forest debating the smoking ban

~The Electoral Reform Society and No2AV debating AV in 2011

Question 15

What is hyperpluralism?

Answer 15

The idea that there are so many pressure groups that gouvernement becomes gridlocked and ends up introducing contradictory policies.

Question 16

What is an example of hyperpluralism at work?

Answer 16

David Cameron said the Conservatives would raise fuel duty by 3p after pressure from green pressure groups. They then didn’t after pressure from FairFuel UK.

Question 17

How can pressure groups be described as having illegitimate power?

Answer 17

Their leaders are not democratically elected and so do not have a democratic mandate.

Question 18

Why aren’t Pressure Groups scrutinised?

Answer 18

They do a lot of lobbying behind closed doors that the public don’t know about and so it is impossible to tell who said what.

Question 19

How can internet campaigns by pressure groups damage democracy?

Answer 19

They can spread false information, give the illusion of mass support and lead to people jumping to conclusions without understanding what they are campaigning for.