Under Pressure

Question 1

What is a pressure group? And how do they affect democracy?

Answer 1

Groups that apply pressure (duh!) to the government in between elections. They are an excellent way for people to influence the government and take part in democracy outside of elections.

Question 2

What do pressure groups actually do to a government?

Answer 2

They set agendas, challenge decisions and provide relatively neutral sources of experts

Question 3

Explain the acronym NINE and what question it answers

Answer 3

The question is what do pressure groups do? Narrow focus. Influences decisions. Not Elected

Question 4

Give the four types of pressure groups

Answer 4

Sectional Promotional Insider Outsider

Question 5

What is an outsider pressure group

Answer 5

A better name would be “mostly useless” than outsider but they have no access to decion making and no way to get people in power to listen to them

Question 6

What is an insider pressure group?

Answer 6

It does have access to key people and decision making. Much much more effective than an outsider group.

Question 7

What is a sectional pressure group

Answer 7

They represent a section of society, like trade unions. They look to promote their interests.

Question 8

What is a promotional pressure group?

Answer 8

They choose to promote a cause, for examples charities or Greenpeace.

Question 9

Explain the PRISE acronym

Answer 9

Participation. Represent people. Influence policy. Scrutinise government activity. Educate the public.

Question 10

Give two facts about Greenpeace

Answer 10

A worldwide climate change charity dealing with oil spills, whaling, etc. Promotional.

Question 11

Give two facts about Fathers for justice.

Answer 11

They want reduced or removed child payments. They are an outsider group.

Question 12

Give two facts about the National Farmers Union

Answer 12

Insider group since 1974. Extremely powerful and have to be asked about future farming laws. Sectional and Insider.

Question 13

Give two facts about the Countryside Alliance and then describe them ie insider and promotional.

Answer 13

They promote fox hunting, and once broke into the House of Commons mid debate. Outsider and Sectional.

Question 14

Give 3 methods pressure groups use

Answer 14

Demonstrations and publicity stunts. Email campaigns and petitions. Exchange specialised knowledge for influence. Using Whitehall contacts.

Question 15

Give 3 factors that add to give a pressure group effectiveness

Answer 15

Public Opinion. Willingness of Government. Effective Communication. Tactics and Leaderships.

Question 16

Give a case study and 3 facts about it

Answer 16

The BMA are a sectional group that protects the interests of doctors. It has credit with the government because it uses scientific evidence. It got smoking in enclosed spaces banned in 2007. It then focused on smoking in cars and with the help of Asthma UK and banned it October 2005.

Question 17

Give 4 arguments pressure groups are good for democracy

Answer 17

Enhances pluralism. Takes power from elites. Represents people between elections. Educates the public. Increases participation. Represents minorities. Educates the oublic.

Question 18

Give 2 arguments that pressure groups are undemocratic

Answer 18

Gives a disproportionate influence to the public. Concentrates power for small powerful pressure groups. Distortion factors that add to its power include money size and social media followers.