Pressure Groups and How They Differ From Parties Flashcards
Definition of a Pressure Group
Groups that seek to influence decision makers.
4 ways pressure groups differ from parties
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.
1st way a pressure group differs from a party
1) Seek to influence decision makers, not become them.
2nd way a pressure group differs from a party
2) Don’t usually run candidates in elections
3rd way a pressure group differs from a party
3) Don’t offer a wide range of policies on a wide range of issues.
4th way a pressure group differs from a party
4) Focus instead on specific interests of members or a single issue/cause.
Example of a party and pressure group that are similar
Greenpeace (a pressure group) and The Green Party (a party)
Why do some groups run candidates?
To pressurise decision makers, not to exercise power.
Running Candidates in Elections
While some groups run candidates in elections, this is to pressurise decision makers, not to exercise power.
Two examples of pressure groups that run candidates
1) Health Concern
2) Legalise Cannabis Campaign
Name of first pressure group that runs candidates
Health Concern
Name of second pressure group that runs candidates
Legalise Cannabis Campaign
Health Concern
Health Concern
Campaigning to restore A&E services to Kidderminster Hospital.
Successfully stood a candidate for Wyre Forest in 2001 and 2005 general elections.
What were Health Concern Campaigning to do?
Restore A&E services to Kidderminster Hospital.
Which seat did Health Concern successfully stand a candidate in?
Wyre Forest
What is the significance of Wyre Forest to this topic?
It is where Health Concern successfully stood a candidate in the 2001 and 2005 general elections.
Which elections did Health Concern successfully stand a candidate in?
2001 and 2005 general elections
What is the significance of the 2001 and 2005 general elections to this topic?
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.
Who was trying to restore A&E services to Kidderminster Hospital?
Health Concern, who successfully stood a candidate for Wyre Forest in 2001 and 2005 general elections.
Legalise Cannabis Campaign
Another group who runs candidates in general elections.
What is the significance of the Legalise Cannabis Campaign to this topic?
They are an example of a pressure group that also runs candidates.
How many ways can the dividing line between parties and pressure groups seem blurred?
3 ways
3 ways the dividing line between pressure groups and parties can seem blurred.
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
1st way the dividing line seems blurred between pressure groups and parties.
1) Some parties are so focused on an issue that they can seem as much a pressure group as a party.
eg: Greens & UKIP
Two examples of parties that are so focused on an issue that they can seem as much a pressure group as a party.
1) Greens
2) UKIP
2nd way the dividing line seems blurred between pressure groups and parties
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.
An example of a think tank
The Centre for Policy Studies who seek to influence Conservative Policy.
Who are The Centre for Policy Studies?
They are a think tank who seek to influence Conservative policy.
The Centre for Policy Studies
A think tank who seek to influence Conservative policy.
3rd way dividing line can seem blurred between pressure groups and parties.
3) Some groups operate within parties.
eg: The right-wing Bruges group within the Conservatives
Socialist Campaign Group within Labour
The right-wing Bruges Group within the Conservatives and the Socialist Campaign Group within Labour are examples of what?
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.
1st Example of a group that operates within a political party
The right-wing Bruges group within the Conservative Party
2nd Example of a group that operates within a political party
The Socialist Campaign Group
