Pressure Groups and Think Tanks Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is Pluralist Democracy?
A type of democracy that makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and arguments.
What are Pressure Groups?
Organisations that try to influence the government to adopt their ideas.
What is the role of a Think Tank?
An organisation whose role is to undertake research into various aspects of political policy.
Define Sectional Groups.
Groups that seek to promote the interests of an occupation or another group in society.
What is a key characteristic of membership in a Sectional Group?
Membership is usually restricted to people who meet a specific requirement, such as qualifications within a specific field.
What are Cause Groups focused on?
Achieving a particular goal or drawing attention to an issue.
What is a special category of Cause Group?
Groups that promote the interests of a group in society, usually related to discrimination.
How are Social Movements different from Cause Groups?
Social movements are more loosely structured and politically radical, seeking to achieve a single objective.
What defines Insider Pressure Groups?
Groups that are regularly consulted by government departments and must restrain their tactics.
What defines Outsider Pressure Groups?
Groups that are not consulted by the government and rely on winning over public opinion.
What is the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)?
An insider pressure group that seeks to promote its interests through means such as lobbying.
What are the goals of the CBI?
- Create a UK where businesses thrive
- Help businesses create a more prosperous society.
How does the CBI achieve its goals?
Through lobbying and making deals with the government.
Does the CBI operate only in the UK?
No, it has offices worldwide, including Brussels, Washington, Delhi, and Beijing.
What type of membership system does the CBI have?
A formal membership system with members spanning different sectors such as agriculture and transport.
How does the CBI finance its operations?
By charging for their membership.
What recent challenges has the CBI faced?
Allegations of sexual misconduct and rape from members have led to businesses quitting and risks of insolvency.
What are Lobbyists?
Individuals who undertake lobbying and are paid by clients to influence government actions.
What is the primary function of Think Tanks?
To conduct research and come up with policy proposals based on their findings.
What is a characteristic of the financing of Think Tanks?
It can be opaque, often from private sources.
What is the major function of Think Tank experts?
To inform policy deliberation and often get interviewed by the news media.
Name a Neutral Think Tank.
- Respublica
- Chatham House
- Demos
What does the Fabian Society focus on?
Issues around social justice.
What does the Centre for Policy Studies advocate?
- Deregulation
- Free trade
- Austerity
- Monetarism
- Public choice theory
- Privatisation
