Unit 1.4 Pressure Groups

Question 1

Define: outsider pressure groups

Answer 1

No special link to government but seek to influence decision makers by mobilising public opinion.
E.g. Greenpeace

*status can change overtime with a change in government.

Question 2

How are pressure groups different to elected political parties?

Answer 2

• Pressure groups represent minorities rather than majorities.
• Pressure groups are a continuous form of political participation, not just every 5 years.
• Pressure groups focus on particular functions.
• Pressure groups are not seeking political power, just influence.
• Pressure groups are numerous and diverse.
• Pressure groups are not held accountable.
• Pressure group members have different views on other political issues.
• Pressure groups aim to influence the government not form it.
• Political parties implement policies across a full range of issues, PGs can be sectional

Question 3

Define: Sectional/Interest groups

Answer 3

Aim to protect the interests of their members, as they represent a specific section of society. Membership is normally exclusive - criteria for qualifying.
E.g. Trade Unions, age UK, NFU

Question 4

Define: Cause/promotional/issue groups

Answer 4

Aim to promote issues and policies that do not exclusively benefit the groups members. Membership usually open to all as they serve the interests of the whole community. Altruistic.
E.g. Child poverty action group, Greenpeace, Friends of the earth.

Question 5

What are the 3 subsections of insider groups?

Answer 5

Core insiders - close/regular work
Specialists insiders - particular expert issues
Peripheral insiders - very little influence

Question 6

Define: pressure group

Answer 6

A group of like-minded people/informal or formal organisation who attempt to influence government policy, particularly new legislation or the public.

Question 7

What are the 5 democratic functions of pressure groups?

Answer 7

Representation - pluralism, open membership
Participation - more direct, alternative
Education - raise awareness through campaigns/public stunts/etc…
Policy formation/implementation - consultations, the ability to influence
Scrutiny - monitor government actions or hold them accountable

Question 8

Give an example of a pressure group which can be considered as an outsider and insider

Answer 8

BMA is a core insider group, working closely with the gov on health policy.
However in 2012 it took its 1st season rule action for 40 years to protest against changes to doctors pensions.

Question 9

Define: insider pressure groups

Answer 9

Operates inside the political system through contact with ministers, MPs, peers and official committees. They are regularly consulted by the government.
Usually act legally/within the government stunts, i.e. No public stunts.

E.g. NFU (National farmers union) - have permanent seats on the gov policy committees and agencies

Question 10

What are the advantages of pressure groups?

Answer 10

• Gives a voice to those who are ignored by majoritarian system + scrutiny of gov
• Provides a vehicle for participation beyond the act of voting, alternative
• Promotes a pluralist democracy

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of pressure groups?

Answer 11

• Some concentrate power rather than distribute it
• Those with more access to resources such as money tend to have more power therefore valued more
• Influence on parties can occur, some have the unfair advantage of consultations with the government
• Undermines Parliament as the elected body, PGs are unaccountable
• Can divert attention away from elections and towards single issues

Question 12

What methods are used by pressure groups to achieve their aims?

Answer 12

~Petitions-bring attention to gov, if 100,000 people sign an e-petition it will be discussed in Parliament.
~Direct action-Public stunts/Protests, bring media coverage and public support.
~Lobbying Parliament.
~Press campaigns.
~Mobilising public opinion

Question 13

What does the growth of pressure groups generally mean?

Answer 13

Disillusionment with political parties

Question 14

To what extent do pressure groups promote a pluralist democracy?

Answer 14

•Educate the public - more/new ideas
•Represent different sections of society 
•Political participation 
•Policy formation 
----
•Exclusive membership for some

Question 15

Give an example of a pressure group whose status would change under different governments

Answer 15

National union of teachers would be an insider group under a Labour government, but less likely under a Conservative government.

Question 16

Why do pressure groups use different methods to achieve their aims?

Answer 16

Depends on group size
Depends on resources
Depends on insider/outsider status

Question 17

Examples of insider groups

Answer 17

BMA
NFU
National trust 
CBI
Law society 
RSPCA

Question 18

Examples of outsider groups

Answer 18

Greenpeace 
Fathers 4 justice 
Countryside alliance 
Life (anti abortion)
Outrage

Question 19

List two advantages and disadvantages of insider groups

Answer 19

Have more influence on government policies
Good political skills

Could lose what they stand for
Stay within the law

Question 20

List one advantage and disadvantage of outsider groups

Answer 20

Can use any method to influence the government

Government doesn’t consult with them

Question 21

What is the new social movement?

Answer 21

Any broad social informal alliances of people who are connected through their shared interest in blocking or affecting social change.
Wider focus on a single issue (national or global).
No HQ or staff, just groups linked by Internet.
Often temporary and appear very rapidly.

Eg. Anti-pill tax federation 1980s

Question 22

What are the 5 undemocratic functions of pressure groups?

Answer 22

Disproportionate influence - cause different outcomes
Finance - affects success
Size - more members, greater awareness
Digitalised democracy - false info could be spread + deception of ‘true’ supporters.
Concentration - elitism

Question 23

What affects the success of pressure groups?

Answer 23

• Media coverage
• Size
• Access to resources
• Types of methods used
• Outsider/insider status
• Members (eg. Celebs, Ghurka Justice)
• If beliefs are similar to political parties
• Power of their image/reputation
• How justified the cause is (less opposition groups, the better)
• Circumstances eg trade unions became more important after the Second World War

Question 24

How can pluralism relate to pressure groups?

Answer 24

Power is widely distributed in society. Pressure groups act as agents to assist this and government is responsive to a wide range of causes/interests.
Open access to membership.
Government should be the neutral arbiter between pressure groups, all should be able to influence policy.

Question 25

How can elitism relate to pressure groups?

Answer 25

Pressure groups can concentrate power e.g. CBI.
Agenda setting - what is discussed.
Many pressure groups are dominated by an elite.
Some groups have no representation or access to decision-making.

Question 26

Define: Elitism

Answer 26

Theory that power is concentrated and not evenly distributed.

Question 27

Give an example of when a pressure group method has not worked

Answer 27

800,000+ people signed a petition to get the government to give meningitis shots to those under 11 years old. The government ignored this.

Question 28

Quote by John Curtice

Answer 28

“Money in politics tends to follow the expected winner”.

Question 29

Where does the funding for labour and conservative government come from?

Answer 29

90% of labour funding comes from trade union’s.

More than half 50.8% of donations to the Conservative party last year came from the city of London.

Question 30

What are the 5 features of pressure groups?

Answer 30

1. Tend to try and influence decisions, not make decisions themselves.
2. May seek to influence the details or implementations of decisions.
3. Most operate on a relatively narrow range of issues.
4. Operate at different levels of government.
5. Sometimes operate in the law courts eg. Taking policies/cases to court

Question 31

What is a dual-function group?

Answer 31

PGs that may be both sectional and cause. For example the countryside alliance represents those living in rural areas, but also campaign for better quality of life in the countryside which can benefit us all.

Question 32

To what extent do pressure groups undermine democracy?

Answer 32

•Challenge parliament and its political processes, as they ignore participation and representation through MPs.
•Some PGs are interested in undemocratic causes.
•Serve to concentrate power, some create elitism through wealth or restricted membership.
•Some PGs encourage illegal activity.
—–
•Allow numerous groups to engage in democratic processes, supplementing them.
•Hold government accountable during 5 year gap.
•Can represent and consult government on legislation.
•Can educate and inform general public.

Question 33

Give reasons as to why Parliamentary lobbying has grown over the past years

Answer 33

More independently minded backbenchers
Introduction of departmental select committees
Growing use of political consultants

Question 34

Similarities between PGs and PPs

Answer 34

Both attempt to influence policy to some extent
Both are representative claiming to channel communication
Both try to mould and mobilise public opinion

Question 35

What are the 3 subsections of outsider groups?

Answer 35

Ideological outsiders - impossible to work with gov
Outsiders by necessity - lack political skills and knowledge
Potential insiders - lack necessary support and experience