11. pressure groups

Question 1

How is political pluraLism shown in the USA?

Answer 1

• Through pressure groups
• There are many different topics discussed e.g. abortion, gun laws, immigration

Question 2

What are the types of pressure groups?

Answer 2

• Insider
• outsider
• Sectional
• Causal

Question 3

What are Insider groups?

Answer 3

• usually well funded with strong sites to the political establishment, often links to main parties
  e.g. NORPAC

Question 4

What are outsider groups?

Answer 4

• small, less well funded and less well connected
• aims are often anti-establishment in nature
  e.g. BLM

Question 5

What are causal groups?

Answer 5

• promotional groups
• more altruistic in their aims - seeking policy outcomes that will not personally benefit supporters
  e.g. PETA

Question 6

What are sectional groups?

Answer 6

• interest groups
• seek to defend interests of their members
  e.g. AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)

Question 7

How do pressure groups endorse candidates and political campaigning?

Answer 7

• many pressure groups focus on securing the election of candidates favourable to their policy positions and objectives
• Many therefore make campagin donations via PACs and SuperPACs e.g. EMILYs list donated over $90M 2016
• or endorse candiates e.g. American Federation of Teachers backed Clinton 2016

Question 8

How do pressure groups lobby congress, state legislatures and federal agencies?

Answer 8

• some large pressure groups have offices in Washington DC and state capitals so they are ready to supply specialist policy information to legislators and bureaucrats
• Some pressure groups uses lobbying firms such as Squire Patton Boggs and benifit from the revolving door syndrome
• Lobbying federal agencies such as EPA can be very effective
• 3700 lobbying firms in USA

Question 9

How do pressure groups lobby the Supreme Court?

Answer 9

• Pressure groups of all types draw p a present amicus curiae briefs which has research and detail to give to lawyers to try and influence the USSC
• Amicus curiae used in Obergefell v Hodges
• 23 amicus curiae roe v wade

Question 10

How do pressure groups use direct action?

Answer 10

• mass demonstrations e.g. strikes, sit-ins
• major tactic of the civil rights 1950 and 1960s
• can cause riots e.g. 2016 BLM protect Dallas
• sometimes regarded as less effective than lobbying in the long term as publicity is linked to rule breaking

Question 11

How do pressure groups use Boycotts?

Answer 11

• civil rights campaigners use them e.g. Rosa Parks Bus boycott 1955
• Bruce Springsteen cancelled concert in North Carolina in 2016 in protest of them passing a bathroom bill

Question 12

What are the factors that affect success of a pressure group?

Answer 12

• resources: money, size of membership
• status: insider or outsider
• strength of groups with opposing objectives
• political climate which party control Congress
• public moods: gun control easy to gain after school shooting
• endorsement: Lady Gaga and MeToo movement

Question 13

How do pressure groups get involved in election funding?

Answer 13

• most pressure groups donations follow patterns e.g. 2016 Labour sector donated more than $29M to Clinton
• a disproportionate amount f pressure groups funding goes to incumbents
• PACs and SuperPACs allow no limit of donations e.g. NRAs PAC spent over $30M 2016 presidential race

Question 14

What are Super PACs?

Answer 14

• emerged after Citizen United v FEC 2010
• effectively raise and spend unlimited amount on election campaigning
• Super PACs raised and spend soft money
• their growth has significantly increased the amount of political donations

Question 15

Is the role of PACs and SuperPACs in US elections too great? - yes

Answer 15

• PACs and SuperPACs are increasingly significant in fundraising for elections and are vital method of getting around limits
• the vast amount raised and spent by PACs and SuperPACs favour well connected and established candidates
• rich donors wield too much power and influence over elections
• legislators are too much in the pockets of powerful and wealthy pressure groups
• PACs donated $1.4M to presidential candidates and $85M to house and senate candidates 2020

Question 16

Is the role of PACs and SuperPACs in US elections too great? - No

Answer 16

• Rich candidates can partly self-fund anyhow and matching federal funds are available for candidates who self-limit overall campaign expenditure
• superior funding does not guarantee victory e.g. 2016 Clinton
• The right to make political donations large or small is fundamental political right in a democracy
• Members of congress cannot be bought and can never forget the views of voters as well as donors
• party allegiance remains strong and party labels essential for successful candidates. Most pressure groups align with their natural party

Question 17

What are iron triangles?

Answer 17

• vital part of tight policy networks
• seen as working against the public interest and instead favouring powerful corporate interests

Question 18

Are US pressure groups too powerful? - YES

Answer 18

• Potential of corruption and undue influence as many lobbyists are former congressmen or bureaucrats - revolving doors
• legislators are afraid of upsetting key pressure groups e.g. Reps and NRA
• advice from pressure groups is one-sided and can harm the wider public interest - iron triangles
• undermine and weaken political parties
• not all groups and interests are equally powerful and well organised e.g. drug companies v patient groups

Question 19

Are US pressure groups too powerful? - NO

Answer 19

• Lobbyists are regulated to an extend e.g. 2007 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act
• Represent and reflect the vast array of groups, beliefs and causes in an increasingly diverse USA
• Provide legislators and bureaucrats with useful technical information when drawing up bills and regulations
• political parties in the USA are already weak- many pressure groups simply pitch up under a suitable tent
• enable participation outside elections and enhance the fundamental freedoms of speech