Pressure Groups (Part 1 of 2)

Question 1

What is a pressure group?

Answer 1

Pressure groups are political associations that are

• dedicated to defending and promoting the interests of a section of the community; OR
• wish to pursue a particular cause in order to influence government at any level

Question 2

Give 4 characteristics of a pressure group?

Answer 2

(i) They are an association of people who share political goals
(ii) They seek to defend or promote the interests of a particular section of society or promote a cause or issue
(iii) They do not seek government power but want to just influence the political system
(iv) They seek to get as much support as possible to further their goals

Question 3

How are pressure groups normally classified?

Answer 3

They are classified in two different ways according to whether they are:

(a) sectional or promotional groups
(b) insider or outsider groups

Question 4

Explain sectional/promotional groups

Answer 4

SECTIONAL / PROMOTIONAL groups are a way of classifying pressure groups into either sectional groups that represent a section of society, or promotional groups that pursue a cause or an issue.

Question 5

Explain INSIDER/OUTSIDER groups

Answer 5

INSIDER/OUTSIDER GROUPS are a way of classifying groups into those that have influence inside governing circles and those that have to influence decision-makers from outside governing circles

Question 6

What are sectional pressure groups?

Answer 6

They are pressure groups that represent a section of society. They are only interested in the interests of that group and have narrow goals.

Question 7

What are promotional groups?

Answer 7

These are concerned with a cause or an issue. They are open to all members of the community and believe that their cause or issue will benefit the community.

Question 8

What are insider groups

Answer 8

Insider pressure groups are those that have special connections with government and parliament. They have direct access to decision makers and are involved in the development of policy. They have the following characteristics:

(i) Regularly consulted by ministers, civil servants and policy makers
(ii) often consulted by parliamentary committees
(iii) often have representatives sitting on policy and advisory committees
(iv) those concerned with Europe have direct access to the European Commission and European Parliament
(v) Local pressure groups have access to devolved administrations

Question 9

Give some examples of a Promotional Pressure Group

Answer 9

Liberty, Friends of the Earth, Action on Smoking and Health

Question 10

Give some examples of Insider Pressure Groups

Answer 10

National Union of Farmers, RSPCA, AA, RAC, NSPCC

Question 11

Give some examples of Sectional Pressure Groups

Answer 11

National Union of Students, Royal College of Nursing, Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

Question 12

What are Outsider Pressure Groups and name 5 characteristics

Answer 12

Outsider pressure groups do not have direct access to government or Parliament or decision-makers in general.They have the following characteristics

(i) They seek to get public support
(ii) Often use direct action such as street demonstrations, publicity stunts or acts of civil disobedience
(iii) They seek to use media campaigns
(iv) They increasingly use the internet and social networks to build up support
(v) They use petitions (often online)

Question 13

Give some examples of outsider pressure groups

Answer 13

Greenpeace, Animal Liberation Front, Exit (voluntary euthanasia)

Question 14

Please provide 4 ways that pressure groups differ from political parties

Answer 14

(i) Parties actively seek to gain governmental POWER or SHARE of POWER - pressure groups do not seek power
(ii) Parties must develop POLICIES across the full range of government business - pressure groups have narrow goals/interests
(iii) Parties have to make themselves ACCOUNTABLE for their policies - pressure groups do not
(iv) Parties normally have a FORMAL organisation - pressure groups may be formally organised but are much looser organisations

Question 15

Please provide 4 ways that pressure groups and political parties are similar

Answer 15

(i) ELECTION - sometimes pressure groups put up candidates for elections in order to publicise their goals or issues (and if they win to influence)
(ii) POLICIES - some pressure groups like CBI have a wide range of policies like parties or trade unions
(iii) TRANSFORM - some pressure groups transform into political parties such as UKIP and Green Party (both started out as pressure groups)
(iv) ASSOCIATION - some pressure groups have close links with political parties like Trade Unions and Labour and Countryside Alliance and the Conservatives

Question 16

What is pluralism?

Answer 16

Pluralism is a description of society or a political system where it can mean:

(i) any situation where a variety of ideas and groups can flourish together
(ii) power within a political system is widely dispersed and not concentrated in a few hands
(iii) in society as a whole it means where a variety of beliefs, cultures, lifestyles and ethnic groups exist together and are tolerated
(iv) in democracy it is where the rights of different groups have influence and receive equal treatment.

Question 17

What is elitism?

Answer 17

Elitism is in may ways the opposite of pluralism and it can mean:

(i) a concentration of political, social or economic power
(ii) in a political system where a few people hold most of the power
(iii) most groups in society are denied power

Question 18

How do pressure groups enhance pluralism?

Answer 18

(i) they spread power and influence very widely (especially in mass membership groups)
(ii) Many groups are able to exert political influence
(iii) Help to protect the interests of groups in society

(iv They balance the power of centralised government

Question 19

How are pressure groups associated with elitism

Answer 19

(i) Some powerful wealthy pressure groups may concentrate power in a few people
(ii) influential insider pressure groups may serve to concentrate power in government
(iii) Some pressure groups may be lead by unaccountable elities
(iv) some groups may hold disproportionate power

Question 20

Give 5 reasons why pressure groups are becoming more important

Answer 20

1. The INTERNETand social media have made it easier to launch.
2. The NUMBER and SIZE of pressure groups has increased with some groups have membership and supporters in the millions
3. membership and interest in political PARTIES has DECLINED and many people have looked at pressure groups to represent their interests
4. ELECTORATE are better INFORMED and more likely to become involved in political issues
5. Society has become MORE PLURALISTIC and fragmented into groups
6. Growing AFFLUENCE means that the population have more interests and thus make more demands on political systems

Question 21

What are the main methds used by pressure groups?

Answer 21

1. LOBBYING - ministers, EU institutions, local councillors
2. INTERNET campaigns
3. DEMONSTRATIONS - mass demonstrations
4. SITTING on advisory and policy committees
5. ACTION - through law courts
6. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

Question 22

Why do pressure groups lobbying ministers - provide an example of a pressure group that does this

Answer 22

They feel that they can influence decisions and policy.

Example of a pressure group who does this is Confederation of British Industry

Question 23

Why do some pressure groups sit on advisory and policy committees - provide an example of a pressure group that does this

Answer 23

They can supply specialist information and influence

Example of a pressure group who does this is the British Medical Association

Question 24

When do pressure groups lobbying EU institutions - provide an example of a pressure group that does this

Answer 24

When the issues are under the jurisdiction of the EU

Example of this is the National Farmers Union

Question 25

When do pressure groups lobbying local councillors and officers - provide an example of a pressure group that does this

Answer 25

When the issues are of a local nature

Example of this is the local conservation groups

Question 26

Why do pressure groups do media campaigns - provide an example of a pressure group that does this

Answer 26

When issues capture the public attention and if celebrities support the campaign

Example - Justice for Ghurkhas - Joanna Lumley supported Gurkhas who have fought for UK having the right to live in the UK

Question 27

Why do pressure groups public demonstrations - provide an example of a pressure group that does this

Answer 27

Where there is widespread support but the pressure group is an outsider

Example - Stop the War in Iraq campaign

Question 28

When do pressure groups participate in civil disobedience?

Answer 28

When OUTSIDER groups need to attract publicity

Example - Greenpeace

Question 29

When do pressure groups participate in internet campaigns

Answer 29

When issues involve younger people

Example Friends of the Earth

Question 30

Why do pressure groups participate in court action

Answer 30

When rights of member are threatened

Trade Unions

Question 31

Give an example of two pressure groups that are most likely to us CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

Answer 31

Greenpeace

Animal Liberation Front

Question 32

Give an example of two pressure groups that are most likely to us sitting on POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Answer 32

National Farmers Union

Confederation of British Industry

Question 33

Give an example of two pressure groups that are most likely to us LOBBYING EUROPEAN UNION

Answer 33

Most trade unions

Fishing Industry

Question 34

Give an example of two pressure groups that are most likely to use PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS

Answer 34

UK Uncut

Friends of the Earth

Question 35

There are various factors make some pressure groups more successful than others? Name 5 of these factors

Answer 35

1. RESOURCES - more money or better organisation
2. INSIDER STATUS - contacts within government
3. TACTICS - certain tactics may work better than others
4. SHARING same AGENDA AS GOVERNMENT
5. LACK OF OPPOSITION
6. FAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES
7. CELEBRITY INVOLVEMENT
8. STRATEGIC POSITION

Question 36

Give an example how the factor of RESOURCES has contributed to the success of a pressure group

Answer 36

The COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE was successful in getting anti-fox hunting legislation watered down in 2004

Question 37

Give an example how the factor of INSIDER STATUS has contributed to the success of a pressure group

Answer 37

ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH were successful in getting a series of laws introduced to deter and reduce smoking

Question 38

Give an example how the factor of TACTICS has contributed to the success of a pressure group

Answer 38

SAVE ENGLAND’S FORESTS used a variety of tactics including huge e-petition, celebrity campaigners, demonstrations and MP involvement which persuaded the Government not to sell off large quantities of publically owned forests

Question 39

Give an example how the factor of SHARING SAME AGENDA AS GOVERNMENT has contributed to the success of a pressure group

Answer 39

The CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY secured a reduction of corporation tax by 14% over 4 years due to a business friendly government in 2010.

Question 40

Give an example how the factor of LACK OF OPPOSITION has contributed to the success of a pressure group

Answer 40

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY (campaign group of the 1990S AND 2000s) experience little oposition in campaigning to help developing countries which resulted in the Government reducing overseas debt and increasing overseas aid

Question 41

Give an example how the factor of FAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES has contributed to the success of a pressure group

Answer 41

ASH (ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH) was helped by reduction in cases of lung cancer following anti-smoking legislation which then resulted to a BAN in public places in 2006

Question 42

Give an example how the factor of CELEBRITY INVOLVEMENT has contributed to the success of a pressure group

Answer 42

JUSTICE FOR GURKHAS campaign led by Joanna Lumley demanded that retired Gurkhas should have right to settle in UK and this was SUCCESSFUL

Question 43

Give an example how the factor of STRATEGIC POSITION has contributed to the success of a pressure group

Answer 43

BRITISH BANKERS ASSOCIATION campaigned against banking reforms and government was worried that banks may relocate overseas. As such plans to water down bankers excessive bonuses and high salaries was watered down significantly