Defining Pressure Groups

Question 1

Features of a pressure group?

Answer 1

• Tend to focus on a narrow set of or a single issue
• Rarely put up candidates for election
• Try to influence and change policy without becoming the policy makers

Question 2

Differences between parties and pressure groups

Answer 2

1) Parties have stances on all issues whereas pressure groups tend to only have stances on one
2) Pressure groups do not usually stand candidates for election whereas parties do
3) Some pressure groups i.e. Surfers Against Sewage are free to join

Question 3

Why is it sometimes difficult to distinguish between pressure groups and parties?

Answer 3

• Some parties appear to be single issue and some pressure groups i.e. 38Degrees appear to be multi-issue
• Some pressure groups successfully stand candidates for election

Question 4

Example of a pressure group successfully standing a candidate for election?

Answer 4

Dr Richard Taylor was MP for Wyre Forest from 2001-2010, standing for the Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern group.

Question 9

Who made the distinction between sectional and promotional pressure groups?

Answer 9

Rob Baggott

Question 10

When did Baggott first suggest the idea of sectional and promotional pressure groups?

Answer 10

1995

Question 11

What is a sectional pressure group?

Answer 11

• A pressure group which represents a particular section of society.
• Membership is closed to anyone who isn’t a member of that section of that society.
• Its members expect to make personal gains from campaigning.

Question 12

Examples of Sectional Pressure Groups?

Answer 12

• Institute of Directors (IoD)
• National Union of Teachers (NUT)
• National Farmers’ Union (NFU)
• Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

Question 13

What is a promotional pressure group?

Answer 13

• Promotional pressure groups promote a set of economic or political objectives or ideas
• Membership is open to anyone who supports their cause

Question 14

Examples of promotional pressure groups?

Answer 14

• Greenpeace
• Amnesty International
• Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)

Question 15

Who made the distinction between insider and outsider pressure groups?

Answer 15

Wyn Grant

Question 16

When did Grant first make the distinction between insider and outsider pressure groups?

Answer 16

1989

Question 17

What is an insider pressure group?

Answer 17

• A pressure group that has regular, privileged and institutionalised access to decision makers
• May be in their position because of their expertise or legitimacy
• Most are sectional and play by the rules

Question 18

Examples of insider pressure groups

Answer 18

Institute of Directors and the NSPCC

Question 19

What is an outsider pressure group?

Answer 19

• A pressure group largely excluded from political consultation or access to decision makers
• Lack resources and weight
• Tend to work outside the mainstream political process

Question 20

Examples of outsider pressure groups?

Answer 20

Fathers4Justice or the Animal Liberation Front