Edexcel AS UK Government & Politics
4 Pressure groups
After studying this topic, you should be able to:

Explain what pressure groups are.

Classify pressure groups into sectional and promotional types.

Classify pressure groups into insider and outsider groups.

Explain the differences between pressure groups and parties.

Explain why it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between pressure groups
and parties.

Explain the nature of pluralism and its link with pressure groups.

Explain the nature of elitism and its link with pressure groups.

Evaluate the extent to which pressure groups enhance or damage democracy.

Illustrate your answers with examples of important and significant pressure
groups.

Analyse why pressure groups are becoming more important.

Explain the methods that pressure groups typically use.

Analyse why some pressure groups are more successful than others.
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