Pressure Groups and How They Differ From Parties

Question 1

Definition of a Pressure Group

Answer 1

Groups that seek to influence decision makers.

Question 2

4 ways pressure groups differ from parties

Answer 2

1) Seek to influence decision makers, not become them.
2) Don’t usually run candidates in elections.
3) Don’t offer a wide range of policies on a wide range of issues.
4) Focus instead on specific interests of members or a single issue/cause.

Question 3

1st way a pressure group differs from a party

Answer 3

1) Seek to influence decision makers, not become them.

Question 4

2nd way a pressure group differs from a party

Answer 4

2) Don’t usually run candidates in elections

Question 5

3rd way a pressure group differs from a party

Answer 5

3) Don’t offer a wide range of policies on a wide range of issues.

Question 6

4th way a pressure group differs from a party

Answer 6

4) Focus instead on specific interests of members or a single issue/cause.

Question 7

Example of a party and pressure group that are similar

Answer 7

Greenpeace (a pressure group) and The Green Party (a party)

Question 8

Why do some groups run candidates?

Answer 8

To pressurise decision makers, not to exercise power.

Question 9

Running Candidates in Elections

Answer 9

While some groups run candidates in elections, this is to pressurise decision makers, not to exercise power.

Question 10

Two examples of pressure groups that run candidates

Answer 10

1) Health Concern

2) Legalise Cannabis Campaign

Question 11

Name of first pressure group that runs candidates

Answer 11

Health Concern

Question 12

Name of second pressure group that runs candidates

Answer 12

Legalise Cannabis Campaign

Question 13

Health Concern

Answer 13

Health Concern
Campaigning to restore A&E services to Kidderminster Hospital.
Successfully stood a candidate for Wyre Forest in 2001 and 2005 general elections.

Question 14

What were Health Concern Campaigning to do?

Answer 14

Restore A&E services to Kidderminster Hospital.

Question 15

Which seat did Health Concern successfully stand a candidate in?

Answer 15

Wyre Forest

Question 16

What is the significance of Wyre Forest to this topic?

Answer 16

It is where Health Concern successfully stood a candidate in the 2001 and 2005 general elections.

Question 17

Which elections did Health Concern successfully stand a candidate in?

Answer 17

2001 and 2005 general elections

Question 18

What is the significance of the 2001 and 2005 general elections to this topic?

Answer 18

Health Concern, who were campaigning to restore A&E services to Kidderminster Hospital successfully stood a candidate for Wyre Forest in the 2001 and 2005 general elections.

Question 19

Who was trying to restore A&E services to Kidderminster Hospital?

Answer 19

Health Concern, who successfully stood a candidate for Wyre Forest in 2001 and 2005 general elections.

Question 20

Legalise Cannabis Campaign

Answer 20

Another group who runs candidates in general elections.

Question 21

What is the significance of the Legalise Cannabis Campaign to this topic?

Answer 21

They are an example of a pressure group that also runs candidates.

Question 22

How many ways can the dividing line between parties and pressure groups seem blurred?

Answer 22

3 ways

Question 23

3 ways the dividing line between pressure groups and parties can seem blurred.

Answer 23

1) Some parties are so focused on an issue that they can seem as much a pressure group as a party.
eg: Greens & UKIP

2) Some groups are connected to parties. eg: “Think Tanks” who develop policy proposals.
eg: The Centre for Policy Studies who seek to influence Conservative policy.

3) Some groups operate within parties.
eg: Right wing Bruges group within Conservatives
Socialist Campaign Group within Labour

Question 24

1st way the dividing line seems blurred between pressure groups and parties.

Answer 24

1) Some parties are so focused on an issue that they can seem as much a pressure group as a party.
eg: Greens & UKIP

Question 25

Two examples of parties that are so focused on an issue that they can seem as much a pressure group as a party.

Answer 25

1) Greens

2) UKIP

Question 26

2nd way the dividing line seems blurred between pressure groups and parties

Answer 26

2) Some groups are connected to parties.
eg: “Think Tanks” who develop policy proposals.
eg: The Centre for Policy Studies who seek to influence Conservative Policy.

Question 27

An example of a think tank

Answer 27

The Centre for Policy Studies who seek to influence Conservative Policy.

Question 28

Who are The Centre for Policy Studies?

Answer 28

They are a think tank who seek to influence Conservative policy.

Question 29

The Centre for Policy Studies

Answer 29

A think tank who seek to influence Conservative policy.

Question 30

3rd way dividing line can seem blurred between pressure groups and parties.

Answer 30

3) Some groups operate within parties.
eg: The right-wing Bruges group within the Conservatives
Socialist Campaign Group within Labour

Question 31

The right-wing Bruges Group within the Conservatives and the Socialist Campaign Group within Labour are examples of what?

Answer 31

The fact that some groups operate within parties and this is one of the ways the dividing line can seem blurred between parties and pressure groups.

Question 32

1st Example of a group that operates within a political party

Answer 32

The right-wing Bruges group within the Conservative Party

Question 33

2nd Example of a group that operates within a political party

Answer 33

The Socialist Campaign Group