Pressure Groups

Question 1

What are pressure groups?

Answer 1

Groups of like-minded individuals who come together on the basis of shared interests or a commonly held cause in order to put pressure on policy-makers at Westminster and beyond

Question 2

What are single-issue groups?

Answer 2

Pressure groups or protest movement that focuses on a single issue as opposed to a range of issues underpinned by a broader set of guiding principles or an ideology

Question 3

What are the roles of pressure groups?

Answer 3

• Participation
• Representation
• Education

Question 4

What is a sectional pressure group?

Answer 4

Aim to advance shared interests of members as opposed to campaigning for a broader cause. Normally exclusive as membership is based on certain requirements

Question 5

Example of a sectional pressure group

Answer 5

BMA

Question 6

What is a cause group?

Answer 6

Seek to promote approaches, issues or ideas that are not of direct benefit to group members. Tend to be inclusive. Can be subdivided into attitude cause groups, political cause groups and sectional cause groups

Question 7

Example of a cause pressure group

Answer 7

RSPB

Question 8

What is an attitude cause group?

Answer 8

A group that seeks to change people’s attitude on a particular issue

Question 9

Example of an attitude cause group?

Answer 9

Greenpeace

Question 10

What is a political cause group?

Answer 10

A group that campaigns in pursuit of a cause that is essentially political in nature

Question 11

Example of a political cause group

Answer 11

Unlock Democracy

Question 12

What is a sectional cause group?

Answer 12

A group that represents a specific section of society that is distinct from it’s own membership (not simply a sectional group)

Question 13

Example of a sectional cause group

Answer 13

NSPCC

Question 14

What are the differences between sectional and cause groups?

Answer 14

Sectional groups:
- Serve interests of members
- Tend to be more exclusive in terms of membership
Cause groups:
- Campaign on policies that they believe will benefit others or the interests of society as a whole
- Inclusive membership

Question 15

Differences between insider and outsider groups

Answer 15

Insider groups:
- Regular contact with decision makers
- Behind the scenes rather than publicity stunts
- Tend to have mainstream goals
Outsider groups:
- Don’t have regular contact with decision makers
- Often forced to engage in publicity stunts
- Often campaign on controversial issues

Question 16

What are insider groups?

Answer 16

Groups that enjoy closer and more positive relationships with those in government

Question 17

What are core insiders?

Answer 17

Groups that work closely with gov and are consulted regularly across a broad range of policy areas

Question 18

What are specialist insiders?

Answer 18

Groups with which the gov consults across only a narrow range of policies

Question 19

What are peripheral insiders?

Answer 19

Groups whose areas of expertise or interest are so narrow that gov would only rarely consult them

Question 20

What are outsider groups?

Answer 20

Groups that work outside of the ‘political loop’

Question 21

What are potential insiders?

Answer 21

Groups that might ultimately achieve insider status but are currently lacking in terms of support and/or experience. Govs may believe they lack legitimacy

Question 22

What are outsiders by necessity?

Answer 22

Groups that are forced to operate as outsider groups as a result of there being no realistic prospect of regular consultation with gov - whether because of the group’s core aims or its chosen methods

Question 23

What are ideological outsiders?

Answer 23

Groups that look to avoid establishing close working relationships with gov for ideological reasons

Question 24

What are ‘captive’ or ‘prisoner’ groups?

Answer 24

Groups that are dependent on gov, either because they benefit from state funding or because the gov played a part in their creation