PRESSURE GROUPSAn Introduction

What do you care about?

• What issues at Ravens Wood School need addressing?

What are Pressure Groups?(or Lobby Groups, Interest Groups, Protest Groups)

• An organised group that does not put up candidates but seek to influence government policy or legislation.

• These include trade unions – groups who represent the rights of workers within a specific profession – e.g. teachers, nurses

List of UK Pressure Groups• Migration Watch UK• Stop The War Coalition• Muslim Council for Britain• Countryside Alliance• Greenpeace• Friends of the Earth• Campaign for Real Ale• Animal Liberation Front• Fathers 4 Justice• LIFE• Amnesty International• JUSTICE• Christian Aid

Videos

• PETA (US)• Fathers 4 Justice • Countryside Alliance

Do Pressure Groups Benefit Democracy?

YES• They allow people to come together and express their views• They act as a more efficient link between public and

politicians• They allow people to participate and engage in the political

process• They defend minority interests and give them a ‘voice’• They provide valuable information to governments in

specialist fields

Do Pressure Groups Benefit Democracy?

NO• Their views are biased in support of their own agenda• They can slow down the political process• Favours groups with financial backing• History of violence and criminality• Leaders of the group may be unrepresentative of interest

Pressure Groups – Vote Results

1. Democratic vote for Head Boy/Girl (4 votes)

Tied 2nd:• Toilets – especially girls’ facilities (3 votes)• Standards of classroom furniture/general

decor (3 votes)• Better/bigger 6th Form Area (3 votes)

Pressure Groups

• By the end of the lesson you will have formed three separate pressure groups.

• Requirements of pressure groups:1.Appropriate name2.Key campaign agenda (three

points/proposals)3.At least one sensible action route