Pressure Groups

Question 1

What are the 3 key features of pressure groups?

Answer 1

1. Seek to exert influence from the outside
2. Have narrow focus (issue, group, etc)
3. Members are united by a common set of beliefs or interests

Question 2

What are the 5 categories of pressure groups?

Answer 2

1. Interest groups
2. Cause groups
3. Social movements
4. Insider groups
5. Outsider groups

Question 3

What are interest groups?

Answer 3

Groups that represent the interests of certain groups in society

Question 4

What are cause groups?

Answer 4

Groups that seek to promote a particular cause

Question 5

What are social movements?

Answer 5

Cause groups lacking a formal structure

Question 6

What are insider groups?

Answer 6

Groups regularly consulted by the government

Question 7

What are outsider groups?

Answer 7

Groups with no links or access to the government

Question 8

What are pressure groups’ 6 main methods of exerting influence?

Answer 8

1. Ministers and civil servants
2. Parliament
3. Political parties
4. Public opinion
5. Direct action (e.g. strikes, protests)
6. The courts (challenge policy)

Question 9

Which 5 things determine the likelihood of success of pressure groups?

Answer 9

1. Wealth
2. Size
3. Government views (consensus or no)
4. Public support
5. Opposition

Question 10

When was 38 degrees set up, how many members does it have, what does it do, and what was a notable achievement?

Answer 10

1. 2009
2. 2.5 million
3. Organises online petitions for any issue
4. Stopped the privatisation of England’s forests

Question 11

Why are pressure groups good for democracy? (4)

Answer 11

1. Allow public participation between elections
2. Allow minority groups to have their say
3. Educate the public on particular issues
4. Create a more plural distribution of power

Question 12

Why are pressure groups bad for democracy? (4)

Answer 12

1. Enhanced power for powerful groups
2. Illegitimate power
3. Lack of transparency
4. Disproportional attention compared with the rest of the electorate