Success Flashcards
How does public opinion affect the success of a pressure group?
If the pressure group’s cause lines up with popular opinion or sparks public sympathy then it is more likely to be successful.
Give an example of a pressure group that benefitted from popular support.
Save The Children experience lots of support as children’s welfare and rights are easy to garner sympathy for.
What is a counter argument to the link between popular support and success?
Sometimes the government ignores a pressure group no matter how big its support is i.e. The Stop The War coalition in 2003.
Which group of political theorists would argue that popular support does not affect the success of a pressure group?
Elitists
In what three ways is having a large membership beneficial for pressure groups?
~It is difficult for the government to ignore a pressure group with a large membership as they represent potential voters
~Having more members allows for larger and more frequent campaigns to catch media attention
~Having a large paying membership helps the pressure group financially
What is an example of a pressure group whose membership is so large the current government cannot ignore them?
The TUC - who stand on an opposing platform to the conservatives.
What are two pieces of legislation passed in 2016 which highlight how the Conservatives have had to be sympathetic to the TUC?
The Living Wage Act and the Trade Unions Bill
What is a counter argument to the link between membership size and success?
Large pressure groups do not always gain success I.e. The Countryside Alliance campaigning against the ban on fox hunting.
How can the type of membership a pressure group has affect its success?
~A pressure group with a cheque book membership may not be able to easily mobilise its membership
~A pressure group made up of experts in a field may force the government to listen to it
What is an example of a pressure group with a cheque book membership?
The RSPB
What is an example of a pressure group which represents a majority of experts in its field?
The British Medical Association
How does unity within a pressure group affect its success?
If a pressure group is clearly united in its approach it can campaign more effectively than a pressure group with different factions and stand points within it.
What are two examples of pressure groups which contain different factions?
Greenpeace and thé CBI
How does having a committed membership benefit a pressure group?
More regular action means that they can more easily raise their profile.
What is an example of a pressure group with a small but committed membership?
The Animal Liberation Front
How can the social background of a pressure group’s membership affect its success?
If a group’s membership is drawn from a disadvantaged or excluded section of the population, it can be less effective due to lack of knowledge or influence.
What is an example of a pressure group which benefits from having a middle class membership?
The WWF as its membership brings in marketing skills, fundraising experience, legal expertise etc
How can being wealthy affect a pressure group’s success?
Having more money allows a pressure group to:
~donate to parties
~buy office space
~employ professional lobbyists and PR etc
~commission research
~advertise effectively
~organise events
and more!
How can having an insider status make a pressure group more successful?
They have more contact to decision makers and gain personal and institutional links.
What is an example of a pressure group which has benefitted from its continued insider status?
The CBI. It is now thought that the party that wins an election needs to have them on side to govern effectively.
What is an example of a pressure group whose outsider status has prevented it from having real influence?
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament who failed to sop the government renewing Trident in 2016.
What is an example of an insider group who the government ignored despite their status?
The BMA who were unable to stop cuts to the NHS made by the 2010 coalition government.
How can the political climate affect the success of a pressure group?
If a government is sympathetic to a pressure group’s cause, it may well find it easier to succeed in its aims. For example, the CBI enjoys more success under the Conservatives whereas the unions have more power under Labour.
How is a pressure group’s ability to cause disruption linked to its success?
If a pressure group has the ability to cause major disruption, the government may be more sympathetic towards them to stop that from happening.
