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a2 politics > 3.3 Pressure Groups > Flashcards

3.3 Pressure Groups Flashcards

1
Q

Examples of business pressure groups

A

American Business Conference

National Automobile Dealers Association

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2
Q

Examples of agriculture groups

A

American Farm Bureau Federation

National Farmers Union

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3
Q

Examples of professional groups

A

American Medical Association

American Bar Association

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4
Q

Examples of single issue groups

A

MADD

NRA

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5
Q

Examples of ideological groups

A

American Conservative Union

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

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6
Q

Examples of group rights groups

A

NAACP
NOW
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

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7
Q

Examples of public interest groups

A

Common Cause

Friends of the Earth

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8
Q

What are the functions of pressure groups?

A
  1. Representation
  2. Citizen participation
  3. Public education
  4. Agenda-building (try to influence agendas of parties, legislatures and bureaucracies)
  5. Programme monitoring (hold govt. to account and ensure they deliver on their promises)
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9
Q

How do pressure groups operate?

A
  1. Electioneering and endorsement
  2. Lobbying
  3. Publicity
  4. Organising grassroots activity
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10
Q

What do PACs do?

A

They raise and then give campaign funds to candidates for political office. Trend that incumbents attract more PAC money than challengers

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11
Q

What is lobbying?

A

An attempt to exert influence on the policy-making, legislative or judicial process by individuals or organised groups.

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12
Q

What is the revolving door syndrome?

A

When lobby firms recruit former policy-makers

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13
Q

Examples of pressure groups using publicity

A

2016 NRA slammed Obama on social media over gun laws

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14
Q

What is the political significance of pressure groups?

A
  1. The USA is a diverse, heterogenous society so there’s a greater variety of interests to represent
  2. American political system has many access points - 3 branches to try to influence
  3. Weakness of political parties means citizens turn increasingly to pressure groups - divided government and poor party discipline
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15
Q

Pressure group methods to influence the legislature

A
  1. Direct contact with Congressmen and their senior staff
  2. Direct contact with committee members and their staff
  3. Organising constituencies to make contact with their congressmen to express support/opposition to a policy initiative
  4. Publicise voting records
  5. Endorsement and opposition of congressmen in elections
  6. Fundraising and campaigning for or against congressmen
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16
Q

Who launched a media campaign in support of Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court nomination in 2017?

A

The NRA

17
Q

How do pressure groups influence the executive?

A

Maintaining strong ties with relevant executive departments and regulatory commissions

18
Q

What problems can emerge when pressure groups influence the executive?

A

Regulatory commission can act as lap dogs rather than watch dogs; this is particularly the case with ‘producer’ groups e.g. Companies, unions and business federations seeking funding, subsidies or protection

19
Q

How do pressure groups influence the judiciary?

A

By offering amicus curiae (friends of the court) briefings - an opportunity to present their views to the court in writing before oral arguments are heard.
By supporting/opposing Supreme Court nominations

20
Q

Example of amicus curiae brief

A

February 2017 Lee vs. USA by American Bar Association

21
Q

Example of pressure group involved in Court case

A

2005 McCreary County v. American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky

22
Q

Arguments in favour of pressure groups

A
  1. They are information givers - to members of Congress, govt. depts, courts and electorate
  2. Policy formulators
  3. Enhance participation
23
Q

Arguments against pressure groups

A
  1. Money becomes too important - ‘pay to play’
  2. American had ‘the finest Congress that money can buy’ - Edward Kennedy
  3. Work too much for special interests rather than national interest
  4. Elitist and largely unaccountable - detracts from elected officials
  5. Lead to inequalities of power e.g. Focus on healthcare, tobacco, gun control
  6. Revolving door syndrome - federal officials use their position to do favours in exchange for a good post when they leave office
  7. Direct action methods can be inappropriate
24
Q

Factors that lead to pressure group success

A
  1. Effective organisation and leadership
  2. Wealth
  3. Large membership
  4. Status and effectiveness of opposition
  5. Achievability of the goal

a2 politics (4 decks)

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