A. Using examples, distinguish between insider and outsider pressure groups.
The main difference between an insider and an outsider pressure group is that insider groups have a direct link with the government whilst an outsider group do not. The reason why outsider groups do not get the government’s attention is because most outsider pressure groups use direct action. An example of an outsider group is Plane
Stupid. This results to the insider pressure groups being able to get more done as they are more likely to be consulted by the government. Furthermore, insider groups can help the government with resources they do not have. A prime example of an insider group is the RSPCA which was later empowered by the government to prevent animal cruelty. Another powerful insider group is the Association of Chief Police Officers.
B. Explain the reasons why the success of pressure groups may be limited.
The first common reason why some pressure groups are limited compared to others is because of the lack of capital. Some pressure groups have more capital and wealth compared to other pressure groups. Secondly, some pressure groups’ aims are not achievable therefore only achievable pressure group aims can be reached. A prime example of this is the Snowdrop campaign where the general public wanted a ban on ownership of handguns. In addition to this, some pressure groups are limited because they do not have a relationship with the government. Most successful pressure groups are successful due to having a good relationship with the government. A prime example of a successful pressure group is the Confederation of British Industries (CBI). Last but not least, some pressure groups may be limited with their success due to the amount of people who are actually active in the group. Being a big pressure group such as the
World Wildlife Foundation does not necessarily mean they are more influential than the
Association of Chief Police Officers. Finally, some pressure groups are limited with their success because they face a better opposition. A common example of this is based upon the abortion topic. There are pressure groups for and against abortion in the UK.
Pressure groups such as Abortion Rights which is supported by the NHS and is for abortion is seen as a stronger cause compared to a pressure group who are against abortion such as the UK Life League.
C. To what extent do pressure groups promote political participation in the UK?
Many argue that pressure groups do promote political participation in the UK. First off, pressure groups can be seen as educational because they keep the general public aware about issues that matter such as climate change or cancer. Pressure groups hold public events such as demonstrations to keep the general public aware and understanding of issues which may concern them. A pressure group such as
Greenpeace holds regular demonstrations about deforestation and climate change to keep the general public aware of their cause. Secondly, powerful pressure groups can be useful to government. Government may not necessarily have the resources pressure groups have which leads to the government empowering the pressure group.
A prime example of this is the RSPCA. The RSPCA started out as an insider group to the government and later on went on to be empowered by them to prevent animal cruelty. The government simply did not have the resources or the knowledge to do so, therefore they empowered RSPCA to solve the problems. Finally, pressure groups are seen to promote political participation because of the growing numbers and popularity of some pressure groups. The are pressure groups such as Friends of the Earth who are popular with their causes therefore they attract the general public’s attention.

On the other hand, many argue that pressure groups do not promote political participation in the UK. Firstly, pressure groups usually only have one specific aim, may that be the ban of handgun ownerships or to stop deforestation in the UK. Pressure groups such as Father 4 Justice only concentrate on fathers’ rights with their children and nothing else. Secondly, some pressure groups are also seen as popular however, the level of participation within the pressure group is not very active. This implies especially on big pressure groups such as the WWF. They employ staff because their group members are not activists. Finally, pressure groups can be seen as undemocratic. Pressure groups such as Plane Stupid are an outsider pressure group who give out a bad example to the general public by sitting on runways which leads to flights being delayed.
To conclude, pressure groups do promote political participation simply because they are popular to the general public. In addition to this, they can be seen as useful to the
government.