pressure groups

• what is a pressure group?

  organisation that aims to influence political decision making
• why are pressure groups different to political parties?

  they seek only to influence those in power, whereas a political party aims to win political power for itself
• what is an insider pressure group?

  • they're consulted by gov and may have long term relationships with gov members
  • need to have good public profile
  • they have a RECIPROCAL relationship with the gov
• what is an outsider pressure group?

  • not consulted by government and instead try to influence political decision making from the outside
  • some want insider status whereas others choose to remain as outsiders for ideological reasons
• what is an example of an outsider group?

  SHAC - Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty
• what is an example of an insider pressure group?

  BMA - British Medical Association
• what are the aims of the BMA?

  negotiating pay and working conditions for junior doctors and to improve public health spending
• what is the main method of the BMA?

  lobbying
• what is a success of the BMA?

  Smoking ban in public areas like pubs in 2007
• what is a failure of the BMA?

  • better pay demands rejected
  • effective as a promotional group but not interest group
• is green peace an insider or outsider grop?

  Outsider
• what are the main aims of Green Peace?

  • ensure the ability of earth to nurture life
  • stop environmental abuse
  • eliminate toxins
• what are the methods of Green Peace?

  • lobbying
  • consumer pressure
  • direct action
• what is a success of Green Peace?

  global nuclear weapons testing ban in 1996 and international commercial ban on whaling in 1982
• what are the failures of Green Peace?

  • gov environmental policy hasnt gone far enough yet
  • failed to prevent Cairn energy from drilling for gas in Greenlands
• what are peripheral insider groups?


  only consulted occasionally but have little real or sustained influence over gov
• what is a promotional group?

  those that promote a specific cause
• what is an interest group?


  exist to support and defend the interests of a particular group or section of society
• what are the 'working inside the system' methods of influence?

  • influencing parliament and government
  • influencing political parties
  • using the courts
• How to pressure groups use the courts to influence political decisions?


  Judicial review
• what are the 'working outside the system' methods of influence for a pressure group?

  • appealing to the public
  • background campaigns
  • short term campaigns
  • direct action
• what is a background campaign?

  establishing a long term educational and propaganda campaigns to shift public opinion

  -> Reduce, Reuse, Recycle campaign
• what are the different factors that affect the influence of pressure groups?

  • membership
  • aims
  • resources
  • public support
  • methods
  • celebrity endorsement
  • links with political parties
  • links with government
  • relationship with the media
• the Snowdrop campaign was for what cause?

  Gun control after a shooting of a school in Scotland. Media support out pressure on politicians and its aim was passed in 1997 as it was clear and simple