pressure groups

Question 1

what are pressure groups?

Answer 1

organisations that usually have a single interest or goal

Question 2

how are pressure groups different to political parties?

Answer 2

don’t look to gain power, instead want to influence those in power

Question 3

what are pressure groups an example of in the UK?

Answer 3

pluralism

Question 4

what are sectional pressure groups?

Answer 4

look after own section of society, members have same or similar occupation + shared interests, closed membership, act to gain best deal possible for members

Question 5

what is an example of a sectional pressure group?

Answer 5

British medical association
trade unions

Question 6

what are causal pressure groups?

Answer 6

campaign for particular cause/issue, does not necessarily affect members, members from all different backgrounds, cause in common, open membership

Question 7

what are examples of causal pressure groups?

Answer 7

RSPCA, oxfam etc

Question 8

what are insider pressure groups?

Answer 8

groups that have special relationship with gov, have access to officials and decision makers

Question 9

what are outsider pressure groups?

Answer 9

do not have close links to gov, resort to activities that generate attention from press to raise publicity and pressurise gov that way

Question 10

what are the methods of pressure groups?

Answer 10

lobby as an insider
research and publish reports
give evidence at hearings
organise publicity campaigns
organise public demonstrations
publicity stunts
civil disobedience
go on strike
use celeb spokesperson
bring test cases to court
digital campaigns

Question 11

why do pressure groups lobby?

Answer 11

meet with politicians and civil servants to try to argue their case and persuade them to adopt ideas

Question 12

why do pressure groups research and publish reports?

Answer 12

can provide evidence to support group’s argument, used to inform politicians, raise awareness of cause

Question 13

why do pressure groups give evidence at hearings?

Answer 13

by giving evidence and speaking on behalf of members, can exert influence on those in power

Question 14

why do PG’s organise publicity campaigns?

Answer 14

raise public awareness, encourage public to take action, encourage public to put pressure on elected officials

Question 15

why do PG’s organise public demonstrations?

Answer 15

demonstrate strength and scale of support, large demonstration likely to gain publicity and spread awareness

Question 16

why do PG’s use publicity stunts?

Answer 16

attract media attention
gain publicity
generate awareness of cause

Question 17

why do PG’s partake in civil disobedience?

Answer 17

cause disruption and raise attention, feel have no other option

Question 18

why do PG’s choose to go on strike?

Answer 18

put pressure on those in power to reach agreement, disruption can be damaging to gov

Question 19

why do PG’s bring test cases to court?

Answer 19

provide legal expertise, secure rights for their members and ensure rights are protected

Question 19

why do PG’s use celebrity spokespeople?

Answer 19

raise profile of group, gain media attention, share in popularity of celeb

Question 20

why do PG’s use digital campaigns?

Answer 20

promote cause, publicise events, create viral campaigns

Question 21

why do people join pressure groups?

Answer 21

representation
personal beliefs
participation
material beliefs
need

Question 22

why can the internet be good for pressure groups?

Answer 22

online campaigns cheap way of spreading info + raising awareness
easier and cheaper to coordinate large groups/events
easier + convenient means of participation

Question 23

why can the internet be bad for pressure groups?

Answer 23

so many groups online, hard to standout
need professional website + expertise - expensive
slacktivism

Question 24

what are the reasons for pressure group success?

Answer 24

insider status wealth large membership organisation expertise celebrity endorsement

Question 25

how does insider status help a pressure group succeed?

Answer 25

close links to gov, able to advise and influence ministers directly as events happening

Question 26

how does wealth help a pressure group succeed?

Answer 26

allow them to pay for things that help promote their cause

Question 27

how does having a large membership help pressure groups succeed?

Answer 27

means you control large section of electorate, number of people ready to take action

Question 28

how does being organised help a pressure group succeed?

Answer 28

allows group to maximise resources, target them effectively to achieve goals

Question 29

how does expertise help a pressure group succeed?

Answer 29

more likely to be listened to and respected by gov and public

Question 30

how does celebrity endorsement help a pressure group succeed?

Answer 30

will generate press interest and raise profile of cause, may help draw members to the group

Question 31

what factors might limit the success of a pressure group?

Answer 31

chequebook membership- join for material benefits slacktivism small membership outsider status

Question 32

why do pressure groups fail?

Answer 32

goal contradicts gov policy gov can resist pressure from the group countervailing forces goals of group acts against popular opinion group alienates public

Question 33

how does the pressure groups goal being against gov policy mean they may fail?

Answer 33

if gov determined to follow policy difficult for PG to persuade them to change mind

Question 34

why does the gov being able to resist pressure mean pressure groups may fail?

Answer 34

they are in strong enough position to resist campaign and effectively ignore it

Question 35

how does countervailing forces lead to pressure group failure?

Answer 35

campaign against another more powerful or popular pressure group which wins

Question 36

why does the goals of the group going against popular opinion increase chance of failure?

Answer 36

public will not support the group, gov more inclined to follow popular feelings on an issue

Question 37

why does the group alienating the public increase its chance of failure?

Answer 37

may commit violent acts, will be regarded unfavourable and lose support for its goals

Question 38

what is the RMT union? who does it represent? type of pressure group? methods? aims?

Answer 38

sectional group aims- promote + defend rights + conditions of workers in transport industry insider status - labour party puts up candidates for elections lobbying politicians strikes social media

Question 39

when has the RMT union been successful?

Answer 39

secured all staff £1000/£850 bonus during the Olympics

Question 40

when has the RMT union failed?

Answer 40

failure to stop the closure of 289 ticket offices across the tube network, strikes failed to gain publicity and support

Question 41

what is Greenpeace? methods? aims?

Answer 41

NGO aim- ensure the ability of Earth to nurture life in all its diversity causal group initially direct action campaigns, now more insider methods

Question 42

when has Greenpeace been successful?

Answer 42

2011 stop practice of tuna fishing that kills many other fish at same time, all UK supermarkets stopped purchasing tuna caught by unsuitable methods

Question 43

when has Greenpeace been unsuccessful?

Answer 43

2011-2012 failed to stop company from exploring gas reserves on Greenland, people of Greenland insulted by Greenpeace campaigns and wanted natural gas to be found to become independent

Question 44

what is a think tank?

Answer 44

a group that has been formed with the specific purpose of formulating and developing policy ideas

Question 45

can think tanks be both single issue groups and general agenda?

Answer 45

yes

Question 46

how are think tanks funded?

Answer 46

privately funded by a group or individual that wishes to have workable ideas made into gov policy

Question 47

how are think tanks like pressure groups?

Answer 47

attempt to persuade gov to adopt their policy goals

Question 48

how are think tanks unlike pressure groups?

Answer 48

methods rely on working with the gov of the day or aligning themselves with particular party

Question 49

what is lobbying?

Answer 49

process of meeting with key political figures and trying to persuade them to support your aims

Question 50

what are lobbying firms?

Answer 50

firms that employ people who have contacts with and access to key political figures

Question 51

what are corporations?

Answer 51

work closely with gov to develop practical legislation gov consults them on policy ideas to check they are practical and to get help to implement key proposals

Question 52

how do corporations exert pressure on gov?

Answer 52

lobby themselves or employ lobbyists control of key sectors of economy

Question 53

how do corporations using the threat of relocating to pressurise the ov?

Answer 53

say they will relocate if a policy is not put in place, will damage economy greatly, loss of employment

Question 54

examples of sectional pressure groups

Answer 54

Fire Brigades union forest- tobacco smokers age uk - elderly taxpayers alliance

Question 55

examples of causal pressure groups

Answer 55

RSPCA - animal welfare liberty - rights ASH- reduce use of tobacco

Question 56

examples of insider pressure groups

Answer 56

BMA- advised gov on NHS reform ASH- anti-smoking legislation

Question 57

examples of outsider pressure groups

Answer 57

Plane stupid- disobedience, obstruct building plans Unlock democracy - campaign for constitutional reform