U1T1 Pressure Groups

Question 1

What is the definition of a pressure group?

Answer 1

A membership based association that wishes to influence the government and policy making without seeking power. They can become a political party like the Labour Party did from being a trade union.

Question 2

What are the functions of pressure groups?

Answer 2

-To represent and promote minority groups in the community who aren’t represented by parties enough.
-To promote certain causes that have not been taken up by political parties enough in their opinion.
-To inform an educate the public about key political issues.
-To call the government to account.
- To give citizens the opportunity to participate in politics

Question 3

What are the two main types of pressure group?

Answer 3

Causal group- a pressure group seeking to promote a particular cause by promoting favourable legislation or wanting to convert ideas behind their cause into an actual act of parliament.
Sectional group- a pressure group whose ideas are comprised by their members and represent a particular group in society. Most of these groups believe that the interests of their own members will also be to the wider societies benefit e.g. the National Education Union which is comprised of teachers.

Question 4

Examples of causal and sectional groups:

Answer 4

Causal: Sectional:
-Greenpeace. - Age UK
-Friends of the earth. - British Medical Association
-People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - Muslim Council of Britain
-Campaign for Nuclear disarmament - Taxpayers Alliance

Question 5

What are insider pressure groups?

Answer 5

Insider groups:
- seek to get involved in policy making within parliament
- some groups employ professional lobbyists to contact people involved in legislation and present their case clearly.