Comparative Flashcards
three similarities of pressure groups
same fundamental aims: influence legislation, govt policy
similiar tactics: insider- lobbying outsider- direct action
both have seen a rise in memberships
both provide an opportunity for political participation and representation
pressure group differences - access points
US- far more access points due to federalism (state govt have legislative powers)
stronger role and importance of the supreme court (equal powers of legislative powers of congress)
higher number of elections e.g caucuses and primaries, and direct democracy
UK- far fewer access points as their is a more unitary govt system. power remains centralied in West Minster govt
brexit- should mean less focus on lobbying EU institutions like the EC in Brussels
pressure group differences-election campaigns
US- higher involvement because First Amendments rights and supreme courts rulings have allowed for unlimited expenditure on campaigns
the key roles played by PACs
well financed pressure groups e.g NRA, virtually attack political parties due to laxer laws on TV advertising
UK- much less pressure group involvement as their are tight laws on expediture.
Vote Leave was investigated by exceeding the spending limited by £625,000
many charities not allowed to make donations and trade unions require approval to do so first
no UK equivelant to PACS and Super PACS
pressure group differences - lobbying
US- far more organised and commercialised
target a wide riange of political instituions
more success in lobbying individual legislators due to weaker party ties
UK- focused very much on central govt
less succesful lobbying on individual MPs due to stronger party unity
trade unions play a larger role especially under Labour governments.
voting behaviour differences
US- voter fatigue may occur as many elections e.g midterms
more people vote for own individual benefit more common in US due to fragmented parties but also can occur in UK e.g Conservative division over EU
self interested partyicpants make donations to gain political influence]
gender,age,sex,religion,ethncity
