Pressure Groups

Question 1

What are the 4 categories of pressure groups and what do they mean?

Answer 1

• Sectional: Exclusive membership and only look after their members e.g British Medical Association or the National Farmers Association
• Promotional: Exist to promote an exclusive idea and no specific membership e.g Greenpeace or Father’s for Justice
• Insider: Regular access to British government e.g BMA, NFU
• Outsider: Do not want or are unable to have a close relationship with the government e.g Stop the war in Iraq campaign, Greenpeace

Question 2

What are 6 reasons that some pressure groups are more successful than others?

Answer 2

• Insider
• Well represented in the media/celebrity endorsements
• Liked by the public
• Funding and membership is high
• agenda is compatible with that of the government
• Few/weak opponents

Question 3

What are 5 reasons that pressure groups may seek to influence the Government?

Answer 3

• PGs want policies implemented and this is done through government
• May want to protect existing arrangements and government is powerful enough to do this
• Government needs expert advice, can be provided by pressure groups
• Demonstrations can show how much public influence group has
• Some are powerfully enough to disrupt the economy

Question 4

What are / reasons pressure groups may seek to influence the public?

Answer 4

• Widespread public backing will command greater influence in policy making
• Wish to educate the public
• Large demos will show they are a force to be reckoned with
• More members improves finances, expertise, resources
• Public opinion influences the media
• May influence voting behaviour at elections forcing politicians to take aims more seriously

Question 5

What are routes that can be taken?

Answer 5

• Attend meetings with PM and ministers
• Meetings with the senior civil servants
• MPs and Lords can be sponsored by a pressure groups
• High-quality and relevant research
• Demonstrations
• Publicity stunts
• Petitions
• Strikes
• Terrorism