Politics: democracy & participation- Preasure groups

Question 2

What are the two main types of pressure groups?

Answer 2

Causal pressure groups and Sectional pressure groups.

Question 3

What are causal pressure groups?

Answer 3

Pressure groups that unite around a particular cause.

Examples include Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (FSA), Just Stop Oil, and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Question 4

What are sectional pressure groups?

Answer 4

Pressure groups that represent a particular section of society.

Examples include The Muslim Council of Britain, the National Farmers’ Union, and the British Medical Association.

Question 5

What are insider groups?

Answer 5

Groups that have close relationships with government and influential positions.

Question 6

What are outsider groups?

Answer 6

Groups that do not have close relationships with political decision-makers.

Question 7

What is an example of an insider group?

Answer 7

ASH, the National Farmers’ Union, and the Institute of Directors.

Question 8

What is an example of an outsider group?

Answer 8

Just Stop Oil, Extinction Rebellion, and Countryside Alliance.

Question 9

Can the insider or outsider status of a group change?

Answer 9

Yes, it can change over time.

Question 10

What happened to Stonewall’s status?

Answer 10

Stonewall became an insider group in the mid-2000s but returned to being an outsider group in the early 2020s.

Question 11

What is direct action?

Answer 11

Methods where pressure groups attempt to raise awareness of their campaigns directly.

Question 12

What are some forms of direct action?

Answer 12

Protests, marches, demonstrations, and sit-ins.

Question 13

Who often relies on direct action?

Answer 13

Outsider groups.

Question 14

What is lobbying?

Answer 14

When a group or individual tries to persuade politicians to support their campaign.

Question 15

Who is more likely to lobby politicians successfully?

Answer 15

Wealthy insider groups.

Question 16

What methods do pressure groups use to achieve their aims?

Answer 16

Direct action, lobbying, media campaigns, judicial review, collaborations with think tanks, and strike action.

Question 17

What is the role of ASH in influencing government policy?

Answer 17

ASH has frequently been consulted by the government and Parliament about anti-smoking measures

ASH has helped draft policies on plain packaging, health warnings, and banning disposable vapes.

Question 18

What significant action did senior doctors represented by the British Medical Association take in 2023?

Answer 18

They negotiated a pay increase with the government after taking strike action

This reflects the influence of pressure groups in advocating for their members’ interests.

Question 19

What issue did Surfers Against Sewage and CPRE raise awareness about?

Answer 19

Sewage dumping by water companies

They proposed the Water Quality (Sewage Discharge) Bar Legislation to prevent this practice.

Question 20

What was the outcome of the proposed Water Quality (Sewage Discharge) Bar Legislation?

Answer 20

It failed to make it past the second reading in Parliament

This was after being proposed by the Labour government in 2022.

Question 21

What attempt did Friends of the Earth and Plan B make regarding Heathrow Airport?

Answer 21

They challenged the planned construction of a third runway

Their legal challenge was defeated in the Supreme Court in 2020.

Question 22

What does the pro-smoking group FOREST campaign against?

Answer 22

Regulation of smoking and tobacco use

FOREST has some supporters in the House of Lords, but its agenda has been rejected by both the Conservative and Labour parties.

Question 23

What was Liberty’s campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer 23

They campaigned against lockdown and social distancing measures

Their aims conflicted with the stances adopted by the governments of all four UK nations.

Question 24

What impact has social media had on individual campaigns in recent years?

Answer 24

It has allowed individuals to run successful campaigns

For example, Marcus Rashford’s campaign against food poverty led to policy changes.

Question 25

What was the outcome of Marcus Rashford's campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer 25

The government changed its policy on providing free meals to disadvantaged schoolchildren ## Footnote This was implemented during school holidays.

Question 26

What did the campaign by 3 Dads Walking focus on?

Answer 26

Suicide prevention ## Footnote They raised over £1 million and met with Rishi Sunak at Number 10 in 2023.

Question 27

How do pressure groups contribute to democracy in the UK?

Answer 27

They offer opportunities for informal political participation ## Footnote This is particularly important when there is low formal participation.

Question 28

How many people marched in London to support the People's Vote campaign in 2019?

Answer 28

An estimated 400,000 people ## Footnote This illustrates public engagement through pressure groups.

Question 29

What expertise does ASH provide in the policy-making process?

Answer 29

ASH provides knowledge to help shape anti-smoking policies ## Footnote Their expertise influences public health legislation.

Question 30

What support did the charity Refuge provide during the passage of the Domestic Abuse Act (2021)?

Answer 30

Expert guidance to the government ## Footnote This highlights the role of pressure groups in influencing legislation.

Question 31

What was a significant protest movement in 2020 against police brutality and structural racism in the UK?

Answer 31

Black Lives Matter protests ## Footnote Tens of thousands joined these protests, advocating for minority rights.

Question 32

What representation do sectional pressure groups like the Muslim Council of Britain and Stonewall provide?

Answer 32

Representation for groups not well represented in Parliament ## Footnote This helps address underrepresentation in the UK's political system.

Question 33

What is a criticism of some pressure groups in the UK?

Answer 33

They can cause more harm than good ## Footnote This includes concerns about their influence and the consequences of their actions.

Question 34

Which pressure group successfully lobbied against tighter gambling regulations?

Answer 34

The Betting and Gambling Council ## Footnote Despite an increase in bankruptcies caused by gambling.

Question 35

What accusation was made against the Health Advisory and Recovery Team in 2021?

Answer 35

Spreading conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccine ## Footnote This reflects concerns about misinformation from pressure groups.

Question 36

What is a consequence of direct action by pressure groups?

Answer 36

It can cause disruption and lead to police action ## Footnote This is particularly relevant in the context of recent legislation.

Question 37

Which acts have been cited as leading to increased policing of protest groups?

Answer 37

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act (2022) and the Public Order Act (2023) ## Footnote These laws have raised concerns about the treatment of protest activities.

Question 38

What action did members of Extinction Rebellion take in 2022?

Answer 38

Glued and locked themselves to parts of the Parliamentary Estate ## Footnote This was a form of direct action to protest government policies.

Question 39

In which month and year did Extinction Rebellion protestors lock themselves to fences outside Parliament?

Answer 39

September 2022 ## Footnote This event highlighted the tactics used by pressure groups to gain attention.

Question 40

True or False: All pressure groups in the UK are viewed positively.

Answer 40

False ## Footnote Some are criticized for their influence and the consequences of their actions.