3.5: US Democracy and Participation Flashcards

Question

Why has there been difficulty in achieving campaign finance reform?

Answer 1

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM 1. Those in power have benefited from the system and therefore are reluctant to reform it. 2. There are loopholes to generate 'soft-money' with PACs, 527s and Super-PACs 3. The Supreme Court rulings on the 1st amendment make money interchangeable with free speech. - As the constitution is entrenched it is difficult to change, making SC rulings unrivalled. - Failed Sanders 'Democracy for all' amendment 2015. 4. Lack of consensus over what reform would look like (similar to ECVs).

Answer 2

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROCESS 1. Effective a) The lengthy process ensures that candidates are resilient enough to withstand the demands of being President. b) The EC has served to produce a clear winner able to govern effectively despite the split nature of US political opinion. c) The primary calendar ensures that the voice of smaller states is upheld, protecting the principle of federalism. d) The ability to attract large amounts of money speaks to the character and breadth of appeal of a candidate, making them more suited to the job. e) The expectation of an acceptance speech at the National Party Convention, plus a good performance in televised debates, highlight a skill that a good president would be expected to have - commanding and persuasive public speaking. f) It broadly works, controversies have been quickly overcome and Bush and Trump, who both won the ECV but not the popular vote, have been able to lead while being kept in check by opinion polls and Congress. g) . 3rd parties can have a role, whether in the share of the national vote (Ross Perot in 1992) or in trying to shape the debates of an election (Jill Stein and Gary Johnson in 2016). h) Primaries allow voters a genuine choice, neither Obama nor Trump were the frontrunners when the invisible primary began and yet they triumphed. 2. Ineffective a) The EC has proven to be increasingly out of step with popular sovereignty and therefore needs reform. b) The primaries calendar effectively disenfranchises some states while overrepresenting the views of others, thereby creating an uneven form of federalism. c) The expected Presidential televised debates have limited impact on the outcome of the election and are therefore a slideshow. d) The National Party Convention, while no longer taxpayer-funded, serves little democratic purpose for the voters at large. e) The amount of money required to become the President makes the process inherently elitist. f) The volume of money required also gives undue influence to interest groups and corporations over the voice of the general public. g) The length of the process creates political apathy amongst the voters, which can depress turnout and undermine the legitimacy of an election. h) The variety of different voting methods has been criticised and caused controversy over election results. i) In terms of actual power, 3rd parties are effectively excluded from the election, with the entire process creating a 2 party system in which the 3rd parties have little value. j) Increasingly the role of the media is more influential than money spent, and yet this area is relatively unregulated when it comes to elections.

Answer 3

HISTORY 1. Founding fathers (Jefferson) shared an opinion that men by their constitutions are naturally divided into 2 parties. a) Madison shared this view in his Federalist Paper #10. b) Two sides: - Hamilton federalist's favoured a strong national government and a relationship with England. - Jefferson and Madison's Democratic-Republican party opposing them (the Republican Party was later founded in 1854). 2. Political Spectrum a) All of US politics is conducted within a conservative part of the ideological spectrum than in the UK. - Senator Susan Collins is a pro-choice moderate Republican. - Senator Jame Inhofe is a pro-choice far-right Republican. 3. National Infrastructure heads their respective parties, developing and promoting the party platform and organising fundraising. a) The Republican National Committee (RNC). - The head, Reince Priebus, refused to campaign with Trump, does that make Trump independent. b) The Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Answer 4

IDEOLOGY 1. Democrats a) Generally liberal, believing in progressive rights and some level of government intervention in both social and economic policy. b) General ideological principles: - 'An unerring belief that we can make America better'. - 'Out of many, we are one', a responsibility of society to ensure that government works for everyone. - A constitutional belief in liberty and equality for all. - Government intervention to ensure equality for all, in both the economy and social welfare. - Being strong enough to defend the nation while seeking peace. c) Support: - Women's right to choose in the case of abortion. - Same-sex marriage. - A level of social welfare (healthcare). - Reform of immigration. - Pro-environmental policies. - Gun-control. - Larger government, even if that occasionally encroaches on states' rights. - Access to free, or debt-free, education. - Abolishing the death penalty. 2. Republicans a) Generally conservative, believing in individual rights and a limited role for the government in the economy and social policy, although a larger role in homeland security. b) General ideological principles: - American exceptionalism (the USA is uniquely 'free'). - The right of the individual, 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. - An originalist interpretation of the Constitution. - Limited government, separation of powers and federalism. - Political freedom and economic freedom are invisible. - Being strong enough to defend the nation while seeking peace. c) Support: - Restrictions on provision of and funding of abortion. - Opposition to same-sex marriage. - Stricter immigration policy. - Pro-business policies. - Gun rights. - Smaller government to allow greater rights of individual states. - State- and parent-run education. - Tax cuts over the provision of social welfare including universal healthcare. - Death penalty.

Answer 5

SOCIAL AND MORAL ISSUES 1. Democrats a) Death Penalty - To abolish the death penalty as it is a cruel and unusual form of punishment and ensure that the legal system is fair. b) Same-sex marriage - Support of recognising LGBTQ rights with the support in the repeal of the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) 1996 which was struck down in US v Windsor 2014. - EXAMPLE. Supported LGBT by including the right to be allowed to use the bathroom of their chosen gender (Republicans opposed this which led to Obama cutting federal funding to Republican-dominated North Carolina for its rejection of this right in 2016. c) Abortion - Women should have access to quality reproductive healthcare services, including safe and legal abortions. d) Environment - In 2016, they were committed to getting 50% of electricity from clean sources within a decade, with greenhouse gases priced to reflect their negative externalities. e) Guns - Expand and strengthen background checks and close dangerous loopholes in current laws, keeping weapons of war; assault weapons and large magazines off streets. f) Immigration - Believe a need to urgently fix the broken immigration system, creating paths for citizenship for law-abiding families. g) Healthcare - Healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and the healthcare should, therefore, put people before profits. - The Affordable Care Act 2010 was aimed at the 46 million Americans (typically on lower incomes) who did not have health insurance, with all Republicans voting against it. h) Education - Democrats are unified in their belief that every student should be able to attend college debt-free and working families should not have to pay any tuition to go to public colleges and universities. 2. Republicans a) Death Penalty - Condemn the SC erosion of the rights of the people to enact capital punishment as this is needed to combat the rising murder rate. b) Same-sex marriage - Traditional marriage and family, based on marriage between one man and one woman, is the foundation for a free society. - Condemn US v Windsor 2014 and pledge to uphold DOMA. c) Abortion - Assert the sanctity of human life and unfirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life. - Human life amendment to the constitution. - EXAMPLE. Partial-birth abortion ban Act 2003 was voted for unanimously by Republicans in Congress d) Environment - Support the development of all forms of energy that are marketable in a free economy without subsidies (coal, natural gas, nuclear power and hydropower). - Oppose any Carbon Tax. e) Guns - Support firearm reciprocity legislation, opposing ill-conceived laws that would restrict magazine capacity or ban the sale of the most popular and common modern rifle. f) Immigration - Highest priority is to secure borders and all ports of entry by enforcing immigration laws. g) Healthcare/welfare - Repeal Obamacare and give America a tax-cut, reducing mandates and enabling insurers and providers of care increase healthcare options and contain costs. - Republicans can understand the need for food stamps for those in financial difficulty but have pished for cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which gave $45 billion in food assistance to 43 million Americans in 2016. Paul Ryan's 2016 poverty review proposed a $26-billion cut in food stamps over 10 years, despite Democrat Jim McGovern arguing that it keeps 5 million children out of poverty. h) Education - The federal government should not be in the business of originating student loans. - Give students access to a multitude of financing options instead to reduce costs, private sector participation in student finance should be restored.

Answer 6

ECONOMIC ISSUES 1. Democrats a) Tax - Believe the wealthiest Americans and the largest corporations must pay taxes, removing tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, eliminate tax breaks for oil and gas companies. b) Minimum wage - Raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. - Give Americans the ability to join a union regardless of where they work. c) Banking - Wall Street needs to be regulated, gambling trillions in risky financial instruments whilst expecting the taxpayer to bail out business. 2. Republicans a) Tax - Republicans consider the establishment of pro-growth tax codes a moral imperative. - Where tax rate penalises investment, they must be lowered. b) Minimum wage - Should be handled at the state and local level. c) Banking - No financial institution is too big to fail. - Support legislation to ensure that the problems of any financial institution can be resolved through the bankruptcy code.

Answer 7

FACTORS LIMITING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PARTIES IN CONGRESS 1. Constituents a) In a short election cycle, Congressmen are mindful of the views of their constituencies as well and party. - True of primaries in the USA, which allow constituencies to control who makes it onto the ballot paper. 2. Congressional Caucuses a) These groups of Congressmen who share a specific common interest come together when voting on that issue, irrespective of party lines. - Women's caucuses, Black caucus and Steel Caucus. 3. Interest Groups a) It would be rare that the role of an interest group would be the publicised reason a member of Congress voted against their party. - Age of expensive elections, the role of interest groups in funding both parties and individual candidates is crucial and can explain voting behaviour. 4. Bigtents a) Also known as a Broadchurch with a political party with a broad spectrum of factions.

Answer 8

DEMOCRAT FACTIONS (Groups within a political party that share an ideological agreement that might be different to other groups within the same party) 1. Liberals a) Progressives radicals within the Democratic Party. b) Comfortable with Government intervention in the economy to achieve social justice. - Provisions of welfare, health and education for those who are disadvantaged and by increasing taxes on the wealthy. c) Anti-intervention abroad in the term of deploying the US military. - Anti-Iraq and opposed to plans for the US to arm Syrian rebels. d) Members include: - Bernie Sanders (advocated free education, reversing Citizens United and establishing universal healthcare through increased taxes). - Elizabeth Warren (2020 candidate. Opposed Obama's Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal 2015 which favours corporations over workers). - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (28 years old = youngest Congresswoman. Defeated incumbent Congressman Joe Crowley in New York 14th district Democratic primary. Identified as Socialist). 2. Moderates a) Centre of the party and compromise in most situations. - Middle ground approach on social and economic issues. - More willing to reduce government-sponsored initiatives by supporting tax cuts and welfare reform. b) Faction is organised around the Democratic Leadership Council in 1985 as a reaction to a second defeat in Presidential elections with Ronald Reagan. - A moderate approach to success. - The group dissolved in 2011 but still remain dominant in the Democrat party. c) Members include: - Dianne Feinstein (California Senator opposes the death penalty although she did once support it. She does not support the government takeover of healthcare). - Charles Schumer. 3. Conservatives a) 'Blue Dog Democrats' and 'DINO (Democrat in Name Only)' is on the right of the party. - Not as dominant, with members uncommon. b) Tend to be socially and morally Conservative, but share agreement with Democrats on fiscal and economic policy. - EXAMPLE. American SAFE Act 2015, 47 House Democrats voted in favour of Republican-led measures to have an additional screening on Iraqi and Syrian refugees despite Obama's opposition. c) Members include: - Joe Manchin (West Virginia Senator has advocated gun control despite his right-leaning state. He was the only democratic vote for Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. Danger amongst membership in times of partisanship. with Manchin suggested as a cabinet member for Trump).

Answer 9

REPUBLICAN FACTIONS 1. Moderates a) Favour more conservative fiscal policy; lower taxes and more business-friendly policies. b) Greater acceptance and tolerance of liberal views om the issues of rights - In 2018, 2 Republican House members opposed a provision which would ban abortion after 20 weeks. c) Referred to as 'RINO (Republican in Name Only), members including: - Maine Senator Susan Collins was only one of 3 that supported Obama's 2009 stimulus package budget (also supporting LGBT rights and attempted to compromise with Obama's plans to increase the federal minimum wage). d) Organised into the Main Street Partnership, a caucus created in 1994 to react to the rise in Conservative Republicans. - Since 2016, moderates have created a larger group that the Freedom Caucus, yet have recently lost a lot of power. 2. Fiscal Conservatives a) Focus on the size and cost of government, keen to reduce its size to cut taxes and greater economic freedom. - Moral and social issues do not hold much significance. - Abolition of estate (inheritance) tax b) Supportive of Trump's promises to free the economy from government regulation, lower taxes and renegotiated trade deals. c) Members include: - Newt Gingrich (1990s speaker who led the 'Contract with America', a manifesto focusing on economic responsibility and a balanced budget). 3. Social Conservatives a) Conservative protection of moral and social issues known as the 'religious right' or the 'Christian right'. - Favouring. the death penalty and gun rights, opposing abortion and social welfare. - Freedom Caucus b) The debate of social and moral issues in 2018 which led to Government shutdowns twice. - Many opposed President Obama's Deferred Action for Children Arrival (DACA). c) Members include: - Ted Cruz (21-hour filibuster in 2013 in opposition to Obamacare on an ideological, rather than cost, basis).

Answer 10

FREEDOM CAUCUS 1. Right-Wing Republicans in the House of Representatives. a) Formed in 2015. - 40 members with a 'no compromise' attitude. - Replaced the 'Tea Party; as the main right-wing faction of the Republican Party. b) Vocal challenges to Obama's immigration policy and fought to repeal the Affordable Care Act 2010. - In 2017, the Freedom Caucus attempted to exert influence over the Trump presidency by sending a list of 228 regulations that it wants to be removed (including environmental regulations, nutrition rules for school meals and corporate regulations). c) Members such as Speaker Boehner and successor Speaker Ryan both try to control this faction, but too disruptive so both speakers left this faction. - John Boehner resigned in 2015, having battled with the Freedom Caucus which considered him too moderate. - Paul Ryan took over the role of the speaker but retired and left the role in January 2018.

Answer 11

DEMOCRATIC COALITION OF SUPPORT 1. Sex a) Women, since the 1980s, have voted in higher proportion than men. b) Women are increasingly likely to vote Democrats (50+%) - Perhaps due to the Democratic sympathy towards women's issues and liberal policy on abortion, gender pay gap and employment equality. - EXAMPLE. Obama introduced the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act 2009 attempted to secure equal pay for women and was opposed to by almost all Republicans in Congress. - The democratic party has a greater representation of women through running candidates. - Dislikening of Conservative candidates such as Trump with his derogatory comments on women. - Pressure from men/patriarchy could explain why 41% of women still voted for Trump. c) Voting history: - 2016 = Clinton (41% Men, 54% Women). - 2012 = Obama (45% Men, 55% Women). - 2008 = Obama (49% Men, 56% Women). - 2004 = Kerry (44% Men, 51% Women). 2. Race a) The turnout of the two largest minority groups (Hispanics and African Americans) are typically lower than White American. b) African Americans are more likely to vote Democrat. - Championed for minority rights following Democrat President Johnson creating the Civil Rights Act 1964 and Voting Rights Act 1965 and affirmative action. - Obama effect with record black turnouts in 2008 and 2012. - The Democrats are more representative of these minorities. c) Hispanic support is volatile, with democrat support due to the stronger stance for equality and against discrimination. d) Voting history: - 2016 = Clinton (37% White, 89% African American, 66% Hispanic, 65% Asian). - 2012 = Obama (39% White, 93% African American, 71% Hispanic, 73% Asian). - 2008 = Obama (43% White, 95% African American, 67% Hispanic, 62% Asian). - 2004 = Kerry (41% White, 88% African American, 53% Hispanic, 56% Asian). 3. Age a) Younger voters tend to have liberal views due to the lack of commitments and limited financial dependency. b) Voting history: - 2016 = Clinton (55% Age 18-29, 45% Age 65+). - 2012 = Obama (60% Age 18-29, 44% Age 65+). - 2008 = Obama (66% Age 18-29, 45% Age 65+). - 2004 = Kerry (54% Age 18-29, 47% Age 65+). 4. Education and Income a) Education is commonly vired as part of 'class'. - Yet a trend that those of a higher level of education are more likely to vote Democrat. - Education tends to produce more socially liberal values (tolerance). - Those with a college-level degree voted 9% more for Clinton than Trump. b) Voting history: - 2016 = Clinton (53% £100,000). - 2012 = Obama (60% £100,000). - 2008 = Obama (63% £100,000). - 2004 = Kerry (57% £100,000). 5. Religion a) Religion can often dictate moral and social issues. - Abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty and marriage laws all hold significance. - Jewish Americans support Democrats, traditionally being far more liberal in their views and sympathy towards oppressed minorities as well as not being fully supportive of the state of Israel. b) Voting history: - 2016 = Clinton (39% Protestant, 45% Catholic, 71% Jewish). - 2012 = Obama (42% Protestant, 50% Catholic, 69% Jewish). - 2008 = Obama (45% Protestant, 54% Catholic, 78% Jewish). - 2004 = Kerry (40% Protestant, 47% Catholic, 74% Jewish).

Answer 12

REPUBLICAN COALITION OF SUPPORT 1. Sex a) Men tend to overwhelmingly vote for Republican in a broad ideological sense that they are more conservative. - Although Women still vote Republican, perhaps due to bipartisan support for the Violence Against Women Act 1994. b) Voting history: - 2016 = Trump (52% Men, 41% Women). - 2012 = Romney (52% Men, 44% Women). - 2008 = McCain (48% Men, 43% Women). - 2004 = Bush (55% Men, 48% Women). 2. Race a) Strong support from White Americans with a significant minority supporting Republicans - For minorities, the Republicans are a toxic brand that has slowed the fight for equality. - Immigration policies have prevented Hispanics from voting Republican. - However, many Hispanics are social conservatives against abortion and gay marriage, or even many who have fled Cuba and support a hardline approach to Fidel Castro (Marco Rubio). - Rapper Kayne West has been positive about Donald Trump yet perhaps for personal gain to promote his new music. b) Voting history - 2016 = Trump (57% White, 8% African American, 28% Hispanic, 27% Asian). - 2012 = Romney (59% White, 6% African American, 27% Hispanic, 26% Asian). - 2008 = McCain (55% White, 4% African American, 31% Hispanic, 35% Asian). - 2004 = Bush (58% White, 11% African American, 44% Hispanic, 43% Asian). 3. Age a) Value of tradtional values and the conservation of society develops through age. b) Voting history - 2016 = Trump (36% Age 18-29, 52% Age 65+). - 2012 = Romney (37% Age 18-29, 56% Age 65+). - 2008 = McCain (32% Age 18-29, 53% Age 65+). - 2004 = Bush (46% Age 18-29, 52% Age 65+). 4. Education and Income a) Those of a lower educational ability (without a college-level degree) are more likely to vote Republicans. - White-working class uneducated population were more favourable to Trump that Clinton in 2016 with a populist anti-elitist agenda. b) Voting history: - 2016 = Trump (41% £100,000). - 2012 = Romney (38% £100,000). - 2008 = McCain (35% £100,000). - 2004 = Bush (42% £100,000). 5. Religion a) Religion dictates views on social and moral issues. - Protestants are Republican voters, with Congressional members of the social conservatives supporting the views that these voters hold, especially evangelicals (bible-belt). - Catholics are less predictable although they tend to be supportive of Republicans. b) Voting history: - 2016 = Trump (58% Protestant, 52% Catholic, 24% Jewish). - 2012 = Romney (57% Protestant, 48% Catholic, 30% Jewish). - 2008 = McCain (54% Protestant, 45% Catholic, 21% Jewish). - 2004 = Bush (59% Protestant, 52% Catholic, 25% Jewish).

Answer 13

AMERICAN INTEREST GROUPS 1. Single-issue interest groups a) An interest group that tries to gain influence over a specific issue that is very narrow in its scope. - Campaigns are in a small area within government policy. b) EXAMPLE. National Rifle Asociation (NRA) fights for the rights of gun owners in the USA. - In DC v Heller 2008, the NRA campaigned over the storage of weapons. - Campaigned against the restriction on magazine capacity and against assault rifle bans, - After the Las Vegas mass shooting at the 'Route 91 Harvest festival 2017' which claimed 58 lives, there was a national debate about regulating 'bump stocks' (which have a higher rate of fire from semi-automatic weapons), yet the NRA protested under the protection of the 2nd amendment. c) EXAMPLE. NARAL is a pro-choice group that organised mass protests against the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the SC. - It also occupied the state office of Chuck Grassley in Iowa and stormed the Senate and offices of Senators Donnelly, Murkowski, Corker and Grassley to lodge its objections to Kavanaugh. - Gaining media headlines on MSNBC. 2. Professional interest groups a) An interest (sectional) group that represents the economic interests of its members/industry in government legislation. Often these are professional associations. b) EXAMPLE. The American Farm Bureau Federation represents farmers across America. - Greater than just agriculture policy, campaigning on immigration reform, tax and energy. - Represents a professional section of society and industry c) EXAMPLE. American Medical Association. - This industry is the biggest collective spender in Washington lobbying with over $2 billion over the last decade. - Most influence is unseen to the public. - In deciding what drugs will and will not be funded, and preventing cheap oversea competitors, the money allows companies the freedom of charging what it likes for drugs provided in Medicare and Medicaid. 3. Policy interest groups a) A. interest group with a greater breadth over the area of policy that it wants to influence. - Likely to represent issues such as the environment or foreign policy. - Members may not be direct beneficiaries of any successes the group might have, but they share an ideological belief in their goals. b) EXAMPLE. Environment America. - Contests influence over the whole government policy concerning the environment, including renewable energy and global warming to wildlife conservation to clean air and water. c) EXAMPLE. American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). - Looks to promote the relationship between the USA and Israel alongside campaigning for other Middle Eastern concerns (Syrian War and defence issues). - Could also be classed as a professional group as it represents Jewish community interests. - EXAMPLE. Wanted to overturn the 2015 Iran Peace Deal by lobbying key Democrats such as Chuck Schumer (who later opposed the deal after AIPAC despatched 60 activists). d) EXAMPLE. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV). - Opposed the Keystone XL Pipeline from Alberta, Canada to Houston, Texas. - Spent millions on adverts advocating for and against candidates in the 2010 election cycle. - Nonetheless, it only stopped in Congress in 2015 by a Presidential veto. - Yet in 2017, Trump allowed the project to advance once more. - Trademark in campaigns is 'The Dirty Dozen' by selecting campaigns against 12 politicians due to their harmful environmental policies. - In 2012, 11/12 were defeated. - In 2014, 7/12 were defeated. - In 2016, 4/12 were defeated.

Answer 14

INTEREST GROUPS RESOURCES 1. Money a) Groups with large amounts of money will be capable of contributing to election campaigns, hire expensive lobbyists and organise grassroots campaigns more effectively. - Money can be made from a few donors or vast memberships, without money it can be difficult to sustain influence. b) The NRA was able to spend $5 million on lobbying in 2017 - Contributing over $700,000 to electoral campaigns in 2018. 2. Membership a) The larger a group is, the more likely it is to have influence due to the short election cycles in America. - Means groups can mobilise many voters which can pose a significant threat to a member of Congress up for re-election. - The expertise of members can shape campaigns; lawyers or professional experts. b) The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). - The largest trade union with 12 million members. - Close links to the Democrat party. - Its president Richard Trumka, visited the White House 6 times in Obama's first 6 months as well as in 2016 over concerns the Affordable Healthcare Act 2010, of which it strongly supported. - Effective in election time by organising volunteers to influence electoral outcomes. - Conflict with Obama over the signing of the TPP, saying that it threatened US jobs. - In 2016, the AFL-CIO campaigned against Trump in marginal states such as Florida, where 120,000 anti-Trump leaflets were distributed. 3. Access a) A group that contains contacts, or the support of, a politician is more likely to be heard. - Revolving door syndrome (It may be through retired members of Congress or former congressional staff members/advisors moving into these groups). - More relevant to professional groups and lobbying groups. b) In 2018, 340 former congressional staff worked for pharmaceutical groups or their lobbying firms. - This offers them valuable information and influence on the legislative process as well as bringing them access to the people they used to work with. c) Unlimited access to the media. d) Many are located on K Street in Washington.

Answer 15

SIGNIFICANCE OF INTEREST GROUPS 1. Group rights are protected a) Even extremist groups have protected rights. b) Protects and promotes interest group activity. c) SC can provide longer-term success for interest groups relatively cheaply. d) The US has a strong level of rights protection due to an entrenched, sovereign Constitution which protects rights, even for extremist groups. e) Some groups have their aims enshrined in the Constitution. f) The 1st amendment promotes freedom of expression and association. 2. There are many access points a) Caused by the separation of powers and federalism creating many centres of power. b) The US has lots of access points or centres of power which groups can influence. c) Interests groups can choose a receptive institution. d) Failure with one institution does not mean overall failure. 3. Politicians are open to persuasion a) Parties and party leaders are weak, finding it hard to control politicians in their party. b) Groups try to expose/utilise this. c) Politicians are therefore open to persuasion by interest groups. d) Individuals in Congress can and do vote against the party line. e) Individual voting record in Congress is important in elections. 4. Elections are numerous and frequent a) Interest group money is important in elections (since Citizens United). b) Gives a strong opportunity for groups to exploit this and influence electoral outcomes. c) Congresspersons and 1/3rd of Senators are elected every 2 years. d) There is a huge range of elected offices.

Answer 16

LOGROLLING - The exchange of support or favours, especially by legislators for mutual political gain as by voting for each other's bills.

Answer 17

INTEREST GROUPS TACTICS 1. Lobbying a) A multimillion-dollar professional industry with lobbyists or lobbying firms hired by groups to influence legislative outcomes of Congress. - Grown important in national politics with a series of high-profile lobbying companies found on K Street in Washington. - EXAMPLE. When John Boehner left his role in Congress, he took on a job at Squire Patton Boggs as a 'strategic advisor' (revolving door syndrome) which lobbies for major clients such as Amazon, AT&T, Goldman Sachs and the Turkish Government. b) Multifaceted methods: - Arranging meetings with members of Congress to convince them of your arguments. - Drafting legislation and winning a Congressional sponsor to introduce it to Congress. c) Provision of information to Congress to change or create favourable legislation. - Presidential cabinet appointments are a frequent target for these groups as they can influence their appointment, ejection, or build a relationship with the candidate to influence them once appointed. - At Trump's hearing for attorney general (Jeff Sessions) in 2017, the NAACP and the National Fraternal Order of the Police gave evidence on his credentials for the role. d) EXAMPLE. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 2010 - Placed regulation on the financial industry following the 2007-08 economic crash. - Yet in 2013, a bill passed the House that would have repealed parts of the Dodd-Frank Act; allowing banks to use savers' money to trade in things such as stocks. - The language used was identical to language suggested by lobbyists of Citigroup. e) NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) - Lobbying arm within its structure. - Wayne LaPierre is the CEO and executive vice president of the NRA. - Also listed as a lobbyist on open secrets, which tracks spending in US Politics, lobbying the 115th Congress. - In 2013, Wayne has evidence to Congress on gun control, advocating better education about gun safety in schools following Sandy Hook. - Advocated the proper enforcement of existing firearms laws rather than additional ones. 2. Report Cards a) Place pressure on politicians by issuing annual report cards on them. - Ranking Congressmen on how well they have supported an issue with their voting record and publicising it to the membership of an interest group and media. b) May have no direct effect, but places a high value on specific issues, which could cost politicians votes. - Senator Bernie Sanders was given a D- in 2016 by the NRA whilst running for President. - Politico wrote that he was wearing his 'bad grade as a badge of honour'. 3. Campaign Finance and Electioneering a) Interest groups can gain influence through the donation of funds, publicity or canvassing. b) Direct donations are limited by campaign finance legislation. - EXAMPLE. The NRA spent $700,000 in 2018, with only 3 democrats receiving money from it with the maximum donated to these candidates less than $10,000. - Cost of winning a Senate seat in 2016 was $10 million, direct contributions can therefore only have a limited impact. c) Electioneering is to take part in a political campaign. - Interest groups can endorse candidates. - NARAL (pro-choice) has a list of candidates of which it endorses on its website. - EXAMPLE. In 2018, the NRA publicly advocated against the re-election of Joe Manchin (Democrat) due to his stance on gun control and report card score of D. 4. Grassroots Activity a) Organised protests are simple but visually effective forms of action. - The concentration of people to voice their opinion gains media attention and demonstrate the depth of public support. - EXAMPLE. The American Federation of Teachers protested against underfunded schools and the removal of their pension in 2018, yet in Texas, they had to stop their strike action as teachers can lose their teaching certificate as they are not allowed to strike under state law (state law can be restrictive). b) Also achieved through encouraging members to email and write to their members of Congress to express their opinion. - Using 'Zipcode engines' to find Congressmen address'. - Social media/twitter has mobilised this, with groups 'cancelling' candidacies. c) EXAMPLE. The NRA published videos attacking Conservative Democrat Joe Manchin for his stance on Gun Control. - In 2013, they urged members to contact him directly to stand by his 2010 campaign promises in which he pledged to protect the 2nd amendment but then supported criminal background checks. - A similar case in 2018 by urging his defeat in the impending elections. d) Some states require signatures to get an initiative on a ballot (13,000 to 300,000 names) with a referendum on initiatives in the state. - Some companies will employ people to acquire the necessary signature with a 'price per signature'. - In 2017, the lowest cost of a petition signature was $0.02 whilst the largest was $43.97. - EXAMPLE. In 2016, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) collected 200,000 signatures to get Proposition 205 on the ballot in the election yet the initiative was defeated by 51% to 49%. 5. Legal Methods a) If they have significant amounts of money and the legal reason, interest groups can launch court cases to advance their cause, through: - Litigation by initiating cases by taking something to the court. - Amicus Curiae Briefs to provide information during a case. - By influencing SC nominations through lobbying. b) Some groups such as the NRA are supported Constitutionally such as in DC v Heller 2008 which ruled that the 2nd amendment gives an individual a right to a gun. - Citizens United challenged the FEC campaign finance laws. - The Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action challenged Michigan's ban on Affirmative Action. 6. Publicity a) May. use publicity to change public opinion and influence voting behaviour. - Interest groups can run advertising campaigns. - The NRA used television adverts to stop Obama and Congress from passing new gun regulations after Sandy Hook 2012 calling Obama an 'elitist hypocrite' as his children had armed guards while at school.

Answer 18

INTEREST GROUPS INFLUENCE ON GOVERNMENT 1. Congress - Lobbying congressmen, congressional leaders or committee chairs. - Proposing legislation. - Giving evidence in Congress. - Record cards. - Campaign donations. - Attacking/endorsing adverts (electioneering). - Organising grassroots activism. - Protesting. 2. President - Lobbying. - Campaign donations, with Super PACs involved in raising funds and generating publicity. - Attacking/endorsing adverts (electioneering). - Protesting. 3. Supreme Court - Bringing a case to the SC (Litigation). - Submitting Amicus Curiae Briefs. - Some groups have a direct role in the nominations of justices (ABA) and other lobbying on this issue.

Answer 19

INTEREST GROUPS IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY 1. Good for Democracy a) Representation - Interest groups can represent minority groups and interests, which might be ignored or overlooked in a 'winner-takes-all system'. - Interest groups can encourage their members to turn out in elections. b) Liberal - Interest groups can raise issues and campaign for protected rights, including bringing cases to the SC, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) specialising in rights protection with a 37 page Amicus Brief in Snyder v Phelps 2011, involving homophobic demonstrations at funerals (Westboro Baptist Church). - Interest groups can raise issues that hold the government to account, thereby limiting their power. The NAACP protect voting rights by checking politicians who want to change electoral laws to reduce black people's ability to vote. - A wide range of interest groups on directly competing for issues is tolerated. c) Pluralist - The nature of US politics gives interest groups a greater number of access points, dispersing power. - Smaller interest groups have had success in gaining national attention for their issues, even if not in managing to achieve legislative change, through grassroots campaigns. - The issues raised by interest groups provide an important link between the people and government and ensure the government is responsive. 2. Bad for Democracy a) Representation - They can undermine the power of legitimately elected local representatives. AARP (Pensioners interest group with 40 million members) and Health Insurance companies lined up to stop Obama passing his Affordable Health Care Act it undermine democracy. - The power of interest groups over the legislature can work in the interest of the majority which could lead to the marginalisation of other groups. - Revolving door syndrome can mean that there is a near-corrupt closed network of decision making which could promote elitism. b) Liberal - Free and fair elections can be undermined by the money that interest groups pump into elections. - Tolerance of more extremist groups can appear to undermine the rights of other groups. - Interest groups that use illegal methods undermine the rule of law with illegal activity and violence by damaging property or life. c) Pluralist - Interest groups with more money seem to have disproportionate amounts of influence. - The same interest groups annually seem to retain influence over the political process. - The focus of interest group activity in Washington DC centralises elitist power.