Pressure Groups

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Functions of Pressure Groups
1. Educate and inform e.g. Visit schools, TV adverts - NSPCC/ASH 2. Representation of a section of society e.g. Age UK 3. Scrutinise legislation, hold the government to account e.g. BMA scrutinised and helped pass the Health and Social Care Bill in
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Types of Pressure Groups
Sectional - Represent a specific section of society, closed membership e.g. Trade Unions (NUT)/UK Youth, Age UK, BMA Promotional - Promote a cause, open membership e.g. Greenpeace, National Trust, CND Insider - Close relationship with government (B
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Methods of Pressure Groups
1. Parliamentary Methods - some PGs pay fees to MPs so they raise relevant issues in the house, all large PGs have this, more likely to gain support in HoL than HoC, lobbying e.g. Live Music Act 2012/Health and Social Care Bill BMA 2. Direct Action
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How do Pressure Groups differ from Political Parties?
Similarities: - Some parties have narrow-issue focus e.g. Greens on environment + UKIP on anti-immigration - Some parties emerged out of Pressure Groups e.g. Labour as Trade Union - Both aim to represent sections of society of causes e.g. Senior C
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What factors ensure Pressure Group success?
1. Wealth - considerable funding leads to expensive campaigns e.g. CBI had ingluence over Scottish devolution campagin BUT doesnt mean they automatically get success because there might be an unsympathetic goverment 2. Insider Status - Consulted mo
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Do Pressure Groups enhance Democracy?
Yes: 1. Educate public on issues within society, enabling informed decision-making e.g. Jamie Oliver's sugar tax 2. Represent a wide range of interests, including those of minorities e.g. Age UK, UK Youth, Dignity in Dying No: 1. May concentrate
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Why do Pressure Groups use different methods?
1. To reach a wide audience - wealthier pressure groups can pay for adverts e.g. National Trust uses the press, NUS gives discount cards to students 2. To make use of insider status - e.g. NFU has close contact with government, BMA Health and Socia
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How do Pressure Groups influence the government?
1. Insider groups are close with the government and are heavily involved with decision making and are often consulted e.g. BMA health and social care bill 2. Lobbying - Pressure Groups can lobby MPs to change laws, they get in touch with Ministers a
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Are the largest Pressure Groups the most successful?
Yes: 1. Bigger size brings bigger political voice e.g. National Trust/RSPB have lots of legislators listen to their campaign BUT student fees campaign didnt work 2. Momentum achieved by large, well organised groups often means government has to lis
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Have Pressure Groups been more or less successful
More: 1. Growth in number and diversity - easier means of forming and communicating messages via internet, easier to alert the public e.g. RAC petition on government website against introduction of road pricing 2. Increase in issues e.g. Gender and
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Types of Pressure Groups

Back

Sectional - Represent a specific section of society, closed membership e.g. Trade Unions (NUT)/UK Youth, Age UK, BMA Promotional - Promote a cause, open membership e.g. Greenpeace, National Trust, CND Insider - Close relationship with government (B

Card 3

Front

Methods of Pressure Groups

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How do Pressure Groups differ from Political Parties?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What factors ensure Pressure Group success?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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