Pressure Groups 5 Markers

1) Describe two ways in which pressure groups promote political participation. (5 marks)

• Pressure groups aim to circulate information which will educate and inform the public which will make them inclined to participate 
• They encourage members of the public to vote in elections to support a political party which may endorse the pressure group’s views 
• They organise protest to raise awareness and secure participationto make the public aware of political issues and make them inclined to be involved in a cause 
• They actively campaign to raise funds and secure financial participationfrom the public. 
• They can use direct action to raise awarenessand secure political participation.

2) How do pressure groups promote functional representation?

Functional representation is where pressure groups supplement or add to the democratic process in society. Pressure groups are said to promote functional representation in several ways: 

·      It is alleged that in a representative democracy where political parties aggregate their polices and water down their creeds it is beneficial that pressure groups can speak on behalf of the specific and the unique. Thus promoting functional representation.

·      These minorities may be linked to economic interests, hence business pressure groups speak on behalf of employers and ownersand trade unions on behalf of workers. Again this is beneficial for functional representation 

3) What is the link between elitism and pressure groups?

·      Elitism suggests that some pressure groups may be more important or influential than others as power is unevenly distributed. Overall elitism assumes that there is a ‘power struggle’ in political activity with winners and losers  

·      It could be that the group has greater connection than others or that it has greater wealth, which may afford certain pressure groups more power. 

·      It posits the notion that some groups will be excluded from the policy process as a consequence of their lack of power. 

4) Using examples, distinguish between sectional and promotional pressure groups.

A sectional pressure group can be defined as:  Promoting the interest of one element or ‘section’ of society, these sectional groups can be economic or social sections. They tend to be exclusive and have restricted rather than open membership. Examples include professional bodies, trade unions etc. 

A promotional or cause group can be defined as: Having open membership.  Motivated not only by self-interest but could be driven by altruistic aims. Perhaps more numerous than sectional groups. Examples include environmental groups and animal welfare groups. 

5) What is meant by pluralism?

Pluralism refers to a system in which a wide range of cultural, religious and political views are able to exist alongside each other. Pluralism Democracy therefore is a type of democracy, which operates when there are numerous organised groups who all have some influence in the decision-making process and are all able to exert some leverage over government decisions. Pluralism requires a neutral government who listen equally to all competing interests and it infers that power is widely distributed amongst individuals and groups.