Comparative Politics - Week 10 (Interest Groups and Social Movements)

Question 1

what is an interest group

Answer 1

any formal group which seeks to promote a particular policy or set of policies, and to organise to influence politics and policy-makers to achieve this policy and do not seek elected office

Question 2

what are examples of interest groups

Answer 2

TUC
Confederation of Business
Greenpeace
Chemical Industry Assosciation

Question 3

what is a social movement

Answer 3

a large informal grouping of individuals and/or organisations which aim to promote a particular political or social issue, or to promote or resist social change

Question 4

examples of social movements

Answer 4

• a democracy movement - arab spring
• mass demonstrations in democracies - occupy wall street
• student protests

Question 5

what is Dahl pluralist theory of interest groups

Answer 5

• he argued that if there is open access to policy-makers and politicians, then any concerned group can influence policy outcomes
• groups that have most to gain/lose will organise and be able to access policy-makers, while groups that have no interests at stake will not have a say
• if one group organises on one side of an issue, another group will organise on the other side - there will be countervailing power

Question 6

what does Dahl believe public officials should be in terms of interest groups

Answer 6

neutral referees