Pressure Groups Flashcards
What are the 3 key features of pressure groups?
- Seek to exert influence from the outside
- Have narrow focus (issue, group, etc)
- Members are united by a common set of beliefs or interests
What are the 5 categories of pressure groups?
- Interest groups
- Cause groups
- Social movements
- Insider groups
- Outsider groups
What are interest groups?
Groups that represent the interests of certain groups in society
What are cause groups?
Groups that seek to promote a particular cause
What are social movements?
Cause groups lacking a formal structure
What are insider groups?
Groups regularly consulted by the government
What are outsider groups?
Groups with no links or access to the government
What are pressure groups’ 6 main methods of exerting influence?
- Ministers and civil servants
- Parliament
- Political parties
- Public opinion
- Direct action (e.g. strikes, protests)
- The courts (challenge policy)
Which 5 things determine the likelihood of success of pressure groups?
- Wealth
- Size
- Government views (consensus or no)
- Public support
- Opposition
When was 38 degrees set up, how many members does it have, what does it do, and what was a notable achievement?
- 2009
- 2.5 million
- Organises online petitions for any issue
- Stopped the privatisation of England’s forests
Why are pressure groups good for democracy? (4)
- Allow public participation between elections
- Allow minority groups to have their say
- Educate the public on particular issues
- Create a more plural distribution of power
Why are pressure groups bad for democracy? (4)
- Enhanced power for powerful groups
- Illegitimate power
- Lack of transparency
- Disproportional attention compared with the rest of the electorate
