Pressure groups: Key definitions

Question 1

Pressure group

Answer 1

An organisation with shared aims which seeks to influence policy through political means, without seeking political office itself.

Question 2

Insider group

Answer 2

Groups that are consulted on a regular basis by the government. They operate ‘inside’ the decision making process, opposed to gaining influence through direct action or civic disobedience. E.g. Stonewall

Question 3

Outsider group

Answer 3

Groups that choose to remain, at arms length from the government. They seek to exert influence indirectly via the mass media , public opinion campaigns and protests. E.g. Extinction Rebellion (XR)

Question 4

Think tanks

Answer 4

A body of experts brought together collectively to provide advice, ideas and policy proposals on political, economic and social problems. E.g. The Adam smith Institute

Question 5

Lobbyists

Answer 5

An individual or firm that are paid by clients to influence government and/or MPs and members of the House of Lords to act in their clients interests, particularly when legislation is under consideration.

Question 6

Corporations

Answer 6

Big business

Question 7

Cause group

Answer 7

A group that is based on shared values, ideals and principles.
E.g. Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)

Question 8

Interest group

Answer 8

A group that exists to advance or protect its members interests of its members.
E.g. National Education Union (NEU)

Question 9

Pluralism

Answer 9

A theory of the distribution of political power that holds that power is widely and evenly dispersed in society, rather than concentrated in the hands of an elite or ruling class.

Question 10

Elitism

Answer 10

The theory that political power is concentrated in the hands of the few, sometimes called a ‘power elite’

Question 11

Pluralistic democracy

Answer 11

A form of democracy where power is dispersed throughout society allowing ordinary people to influence decisions and policies.