12. comparative politics: pressure groups

Question 1

What are the similarities between UK and US pressure groups?

Answer 1

• same typology
• tactics are similar e.g. insider groups using lobbying and outsider groups using direct action
• Both USA adn UK have seen a growth in membership e.g. National Trust 2017 5M members AARP 37M members
• pressure groups provide political participation
• revolving door is prominent in both countries

Question 2

What are the differences between UK and US pressure groups? - Access points

Answer 2

USA: (far more)
- federalism
- role of USSC and amicus curiae briefs
- number of elections
UK: (fewer)
- power remaining centralised
- Brexit (lobbying done in Brussels)

Question 3

What are the differences between UK and US pressure groups? - Involvement in election campaigns

Answer 3

USA: (v. considerable)
- 1st amendment
- key roles played by PACs and Super PACs
- laxer laws about TV ads
UK: (less important)
- tight laws on election expenditure
- Strict laws on political advertising on terrestrial TV elections

Question 4

What are the differences between UK and US pressure groups? - Lobbying

Answer 4

USA:
- far more organised and commercialised
- target wide range of institutions including courts, state governments
- targeting individual legislators
UK:
- still focuses very much on central government, not regions
- lobbying parliament and individual MPs is less likely to be successful due to stronger party unity

Question 5

What is the structural theory approach to pressure groups?

Answer 5

• Access points and how they vary in number and importance
• the importance in the USA of USSC as a focus for lobbying
• the lobbying of EU bodies where many important regulations are drawn up

Question 6

What is the Rational theory approach to pressure groups?

Answer 6

• The attraction in both countries for lobbying firms in recruiting former legislators and bureaucrats who ‘know the system’
• The focus in the USA on targeting individual legislators who are more likely to change their vote in Congress, compared with British MPs
• The preference in both countries for discrete lobbying over direct action as the strategy for gaining positive policy outcomes

Question 7

What is the Cultural theory approach to pressure groups?

Answer 7

• The historic link in the UK between Labour party and the trade union movement
• The tradition in USA of individual political expression (1st amendments)
• The importance of direct action in both countries for more marginalised and minority-orientated groups to gain publicity e.g. civil rights movement