pressure groups overview

Question 1

what is a pressure group?

Answer 1

-an organisation of people who work to influence and put pressure on the government and influence public policy to bring about change on a certain issue

Question 2

what are insider groups?

Answer 2

those that are close to the corridors of power, having good access to government on a regular basis
-their policies are usually compatible with government policy
-e.g. BMA, national farmers union

Question 3

what are outsider groups?

Answer 3

they either don’t wish to get close to the government, or can’t get such access anyway
-e.g. CND, extinction rebellion

Question 4

key differences between insider and outsider groups:

Answer 4

1. insiders have access to policy makers, outsiders do not
2. insiders are often low profile, outsiders tend to be high profile
3. insiders have mainstream goals, whereas outsiders have radical goals
4. insiders have strong leadership as it is a paid position, whereas outsiders have strong grassroots and big membership

Question 5

what’s the key difference between parties and pressure groups?

Answer 5

parties don’t want to just influence policy like pressure groups do, instead they want to form a government so they can be responsible fort determining policies

Question 6

what are interest groups?

Answer 6

-they aim to protect the interests of their members, for whom they often provide services
-they tend to be well resourced and well staffed
-they carry clout with the government as they represent a substantial section of the community
-e.g. unite the union, BMA, CBI

Question 7

what are promotional groups?

Answer 7

-the promote a particular idea or cause
-they have few full tine staff, reply heavily on volunteer help and usually lack resources like money or equipment
-e.g. shelter, RSPCA, extinction rebellion

Question 8

what’s the other words for interest/promotional groups?

Answer 8

-interest = sectional
-promotional = cause

Question 9

what are the problems with categorising pressure groups by their status?

Answer 9

-many groups often adopt both insider and outsider status
-e.g. BMA is a core insider group that works closely with the gov. on health policy, but in 2012 it took its first strike action in 40 years

Question 10

what are internal insider groups?

Answer 10

-very close links to gov.
-will always approach gov. with relevant policies for their opinion
-e.g. church of england, police force

Question 11

what are external insider groups?

Answer 11

-they have formal links to the government but their status is not as secure
-their influence at a high gov. level tends to change depending on the party in power
-e.g. english heritage, AA

Question 12

what are unwilling outsider groups?

Answer 12

-they would like to be insiders, but the gov. is UNWILLING to give them this status because they don’t think their cause is just/important enough
-e.g. league against cruel sports, fathers for justice

Question 13

what are willing outsider groups?

Answer 13

-they regard parliamentary procedure with distain and feel they would lose credibility by working with the gov.
-e.g. just stop oil, animal liberation front

Question 14

what’s the corporatist model in regard to pressure groups?

Answer 14

the idea that pressure groups strengthen democracy best when they are formally incorporated into the decision making process

Question 15

what’s the pluralist model in regard to pressure groups?

Answer 15

the idea that pressure groups strengthen democracy best when they act as a check on governmental power

Question 16

what are the limitations of grant’s theory about pressure groups?

Answer 16

-he suggested there are clear divisions between insider and outsider pressure groups
BUT
-some groups pursue insider and outsider strategies simultaneously
-more groups have insider status than he suggested - 8:1 ratio
-many groups may in theory have insider status, but in reality are only on the consultation list