Pressure groups

Question 1

Interest

Answer 1

represents and defends certain groups of society

Question 2

NEU

Answer 2

National Education Union
represent 496,000 teachers
interest group

Question 3

Cause

Answer 3

based on shared attitudes and values

Question 4

Shelter

Answer 4

received £53.34mil donations in 2023/4 financial year
cause group
Work to prevent homelessness

Question 5

Insider group example

Answer 5

National Farmers Union- want to explain importance of British food and farming to nation’s environment, economy and wellbeing

Question 6

Insider group effecting government policy

Answer 6

NFU working with government to respond to tariffs from USA

Question 7

Outsider groups

Answer 7

Just Stop Oil, Liberty

Question 8

Think Tanks

Answer 8

groups of experts who provide advice, ideas. and policy proposals on political, economic and social problems

Question 9

CSJ

Answer 9

Centre for Social Justice puts forward the ideas of how to address the root causes of poverty and how they can influence govt policies
Think tank

Question 10

Think tanks influencing govt policy

Answer 10

Institute for Economic Affairs influenced ideas behind Liz Truss’ mini budget

Question 11

Lobbyist

Answer 11

someone that’s paid by clients to influence govt and/or other political figures

Question 12

Randox lobbying controversy

Answer 12

Owen Paterson acted as a lobby for Randox without being registered. Paid £100,000 a year by Randox to be its consultant. Contacted health secretary 8 times between Jan-Oct 2020 in relation to Randox

Question 13

Cameron lobby

Answer 13

David Cameron sent 62 messages to former colleagues pleading for them to help the controversial bank Greensill Capital 2021

Question 14

Annual spending on lobbying

Answer 14

estimated £2bil

Question 15

Insider groups effectiveness

Answer 15

Close proximity to decision makers, working with Parliament, working with political parties (can lead to influence on govt, working too closely with one party can push others away), devolved institutions

Question 16

Example of insider groups being effective

Answer 16

Google influenced online safety bill on Bill Committee
Howard League for Penal Reform 2014 successfully campaigned to end the ban on prisoners receiving books sent to them by friends and family

Question 17

Outsider groups effectiveness

Answer 17

engaging public, civil disobedience main tactic for groups like Extinction Rebellion, social media, the courts

Question 18

Rashford campaign

Answer 18

EndChildFoodPoverty 2020

Govt responded and made sure children received free school meals in school holidays

Question 19

Liberty using courts

Answer 19

judicial review against creating new law that lowered the threshold of when police can impose conditions on protests 2024

Question 20

Factors needed for pressure group success

Answer 20

wealth, organisation, leadership, compatibility with govt, public support

Question 21

pros of think tanks

Answer 21

Produce a range of political ideas and solutions to issues
Can be seen as reliable, objective policy advice
Have time to do the research that ministers don’t

Question 22

cons of think tanks

Answer 22

less legitimate policies due to an unelected source, ideas often impractical/unworkable, ideas often ignore wider picture, being transparent on bias and funding sources doesn’t always happen

Question 23

Institute for Economic Affairs funding transparency

Answer 23

Rated D (lowest rating being E) by opendemocracy.net

Question 24

Act to limit lobbying

Answer 24

Transparency of Lobbying Act 2014
lobbyists have to sign up to an official register and disclose a list of clients 4 times a year. Ex officials had to wait 2 years before working in their area in the private sector

Question 25

Revolving door

Answer 25

going from one policy advice position to another Private sector <—> Public official

Question 26

Jack Monroe

Answer 26

ran a twitter campaign to challenge the ONS to change their basket of goods which they use to determine changes in the cost of living Was successful 2023

Question 27

group politics does promote democracy

Answer 27

elected reps hear issues of concern, widens distribution of power, engages young people and others who don’t formally participate, spreading of political views and messages benefits democracy

Question 28

Group politics doesn’t promote democracy

Answer 28

most powerful group have most money not members, operating outside the legal system is operating outside democracy, groups aren’t publicly accountable, lots of membership are about benefits not the cause (National Trust), influence that’s hidden undermines democracy, ‘slacktivism’ prevents deeper engagement