Pressure Groups (OLD)

Question 1

Pressure Group

Answer 1

Group of like-minded individuals who seek to influence Government policy in order to achieve a particular goal

Question 2

Give 2 similarities between pressure groups and political parties?

Answer 2

• Both aim to make political change
• Both have large numbers of members and volunteers who support similar goals

Question 3

What are the 6 differences between pressure groups and political parties?

Answer 3

1. Pressure groups aim to influence the Government, whereas Political parties aim to form a Government
2. More pressure groups than there are political parties
3. Pressure groups can be divisive, whereas parties often aim to appeal to the majority
4. Pressure groups are not held accountable by the public, whereas political parties are, (due to elections)
5. Pressure groups focus on specific issues, whereas Political parties need to consider every issue
6. Members of pressure groups may have different political views, but be united on one issue, whereas members of political parties share views

Question 4

Single-issue political party

Answer 4

Political parties who do not expect to gain election, but want to attract attention and publicity for their cause

Question 5

Give an example of a single-issue political party.

Answer 5

We Demand a Referendum Now Party

Question 6

What was the aim of the single-issue political party: We Demand a Referendum Now?

Answer 6

Aimed to force a referendum on British membership of the European Union

Question 7

Who founded the We Demand a Referendum now party? And when?

Answer 7

Nikki Sinclaire in 2012

Question 8

Give an example of a political party which started off as a social movement?

Answer 8

The Labour Party

Question 9

Outline ‘The Labour Movement.’

HINT: Structural Unemployment in Britain

Answer 9

• During the industrial revolution the structure of the UK economy changed
• Economy moved from mainly primary sector to tertiary sector
• Caused people to move out of the countryside and to work in cities, (where tertiary sector jobs were)
• Working class had a shared identity and a broad set of aims, like higher pay and safer conditions
• This social movement became more formerly organised, by the creation of trade unions and eventually the politiclal party

Question 10

Social movement

Answer 10

• Similar to causal groups, but more loosely structured
• Participants may be a part of formal pressure group or may just be motivated by particular cause
• Usually viewed as politically radical and seek to achieve a singular objective

Question 11

Give an example of a social movement?

Answer 11

Black Lives Matter protests in the Summer of 2020

Question 12

Outline BLM social movement.

Answer 12

• Although beginning in 2013, BLM movement returned to national headlines in 2020 when George Floyd was murdered by a white police officer
• An estimated 15 - 26 million American citizens were involved in this movement in 2020, making it one of the largest social movements in American history

Question 13

Insider Groups

Answer 13

Groups which rely on consultation with ministers and civil servants to achieve their aims

Question 14

Give an example of an insider pressure group.

Answer 14

National Farmer’s Union, (NFU)

Question 15

When was the NFU founded?

Answer 15

1908

Question 16

How many members are in the NFU?

Answer 16

55,000

Question 17

What type of pressure group is BMA?

Answer 17

Sectional Insider Group

Question 18

When was the BMA founded?

Answer 18

1832

Question 19

How many members do the BMA have?

Answer 19

190,366