Pressure Groups - Possible Exam Questions
A – What are the main types of pressure groups?
There are 4 different types of pressure group. They can be insider or outsider groups, or sectional or promotional. They can therefore either be:
Insider – promotional
Insider –sectional
Outsider – promotional
Outsider sectional
If a group is ‘insider’ they have special connections with those in power. They are regularly consulted on the development of policy and other issues that relate to their cause by ministers, decision-makers etc., and occasionally have representatives on decision making counils. They seek to influence the government directly through these connections. An example is ASH (action on smoking and health) who used insider government status to help them implement various pieces of legislation aimed at deterring/smoking.
If a group is ‘outsider’ they have no connection with anyone in Government. This may be because government officials choose not to be associated with them, or because they choose to remain outsider so as to retain their independence. They seek to influence the decisions made by government by rallying as wide a level of public support (usually via demonstrations) as possible and then putting pressure on officials by displaying to them the level of public support to their cause. An example of a widely supported outsider group is father 4 justice.
Sectional pressure groups support and are open to only a specific section of society – for example students. They usually have narrow goals, and wish only to benefit their chosen group. An example of a sectional group is the Royal collage of UK nurses.
Promotional groups support a specific cause/issue. They usually have wider aims than sectional groups, and are open to anyone, as they believe that support for their cause will benefit the entire community. Examples of well-known promotional groups are the RSPCA or the NSPCC.
B –what factors influence pressure group success?
The success of a pressure group can be defined in a
There are 4 different types of pressure group. They can be insider or outsider groups, or sectional or promotional. They can therefore either be:
Insider – promotional
Insider –sectional
Outsider – promotional
Outsider sectional
If a group is ‘insider’ they have special connections with those in power. They are regularly consulted on the development of policy and other issues that relate to their cause by ministers, decision-makers etc., and occasionally have representatives on decision making counils. They seek to influence the government directly through these connections. An example is ASH (action on smoking and health) who used insider government status to help them implement various pieces of legislation aimed at deterring/smoking.
If a group is ‘outsider’ they have no connection with anyone in Government. This may be because government officials choose not to be associated with them, or because they choose to remain outsider so as to retain their independence. They seek to influence the decisions made by government by rallying as wide a level of public support (usually via demonstrations) as possible and then putting pressure on officials by displaying to them the level of public support to their cause. An example of a widely supported outsider group is father 4 justice.
Sectional pressure groups support and are open to only a specific section of society – for example students. They usually have narrow goals, and wish only to benefit their chosen group. An example of a sectional group is the Royal collage of UK nurses.
Promotional groups support a specific cause/issue. They usually have wider aims than sectional groups, and are open to anyone, as they believe that support for their cause will benefit the entire community. Examples of well-known promotional groups are the RSPCA or the NSPCC.
B –what factors influence pressure group success?
The success of a pressure group can be defined in a