Classifying Pressure Groups

Question 1

What are the 2 classifications of Pressure Groups originally made by Stewart in 1958?

Answer 1

• Protective (interest) groups

- Promotional (cause) groups

Question 2

What are protective groups/sectional (made my Stewart 1958)

Answer 2

those which seek to cater for the needs and defend the rights of persons or category of persons

Question 3

What are promotional groups/causes (made by Stewart 1958)

Answer 3

those which seek to advance particular causes and ideas not of immediate benefit to themselves

Question 4

What are the most powerful and well know protective groups?

Answer 4

those which serve Business interests
&
Trade unions

Question 5

Where are many business interests protected?

Answer 5

in peak or umbrella organisations

Question 6

What do peak and umbrella organisations do?

Answer 6

they bring together within the organisation a whole range of other bodies and coordinate their activity and speak on their behalf

Question 7

What is an example of an Umbrella organisation and how many members does it represent the interests of ?

Answer 7

the British Retail Consortium represents the interest of 11,000 members

Question 8

Who do trade unions exist to represent and do?

Answer 8

working people by defending and improving heir wages and working conditions

Question 9

What type of membership do trade unions have?

Answer 9

a closed membership as only those who work in the industry or possess a particular skill are eligible to join them

Question 10

Who are Britain 66 affiliated to ?

Answer 10

the Trade Union Congress

Question 11

What is one of the most effective protective groups ?

Answer 11

the National Farmers Union

Question 12

What are generally the characteristics of a protective group ? (4)

Answer 12

they are 
well established 
well connected
well resourced 
respected members

Question 13

What do promotional groups seek to do ?

Answer 13

Promotional groups seek to advance ideas and causes which are not of benefit to their membership , selfless rather than self-interested

Question 14

How do promotional groups differ from protective?

Answer 14

Promotional groups are open to people for all sections of the community who share the same values

Question 15

What is the general life span of promotional groups?

Answer 15

They have a short life span, disappearing once their cause has been appropriately tackled

Question 16

Who are peak or umbrella organisations members?

Answer 16

not individuals , members are other bodies scubas firms, trade associations or labour unions

Question 17

Give 4 examples of promotional groups

Answer 17

-RSPCA, Friends of the Earth, Amnesty International , Snowdrop

Question 18

What was the Snowdrop campaign?

Answer 18

it lobbied on the ban of handguns and the goal was attained

Question 19

Which associations are traditionally stronger, promotional or protective?why?

Answer 19

Protective as they are better organised and resourced

Question 20

Why are promotional groups not as successful as protective groups? (3)

Answer 20

• promotional groups operate with limited funds and few, if any full time staff
• tendency to split into rival factions
• less access to the government

Question 21

What is a popular example of a hybrid group?

Answer 21

• Radar

- British Medical Associations

Question 22

How is radar and BMA hybrid according to Stewart 1958?

Answer 22

• defends the interests of its members who are disabled but works for the betterment of all disabled people
• BMA engages in campaigning on general health issues such as diet and smoking, however it primarily exists to defend the interest of its medical professionals

Question 23

What was the classification of the alternative typology originally developed in the 1980’s by Wyn Grant?

Answer 23

Insider and Outsider groups

Question 24

What is Grants 1980’s approach based on?

Answer 24

the relationship of groups with the central decision makers in government

Question 25

What did Wyn Grant say?

Answer 25

“one needs to look not just at the behaviour of the groups, but also at the behaviour of the government”

Question 26

What are insider and outsider groups?

Answer 26

Insider groups are regularly consulted by government

Outsider groups either do not want access or are unable to attain recognition

Question 27

What promotional groups are also insider groups ?

Answer 27

RSPB

Question 28

briefly , what are the 3 criticisms of Grants 1980 typology?

Answer 28

1) the distinction is not clear cut
2) more groups have insider status than Grant originally suggested
3) distinction is less valid as new forms of politics has risen in the 1990’s

Question 29

How are Friends of the Earth both an insider and an outsider group?

Answer 29

• in dialogue with the government

- maintain direct action activities that attract money and popular support

Question 30

What is an example of how there are more insider groups that Grant originally suggested?

Answer 30

200 bodies were on the list for consultation on issues relating to motor cycles

Question 31

How can the new form of politics critique Grants typology?

Answer 31

the European Union allows a platform for pressure groups to appeal to in Brussels when Whitehall decision makers are despondent