Evaluate the extent to which pressure groups have a positive impact on US politics

Question 1

3 headings and LOA?

Answer 1

1. representation
2. legislation
3. raising issues

LOA = Agree

Question 2

Representation agreement

Answer 2

• pressure groups enhance pluralism which represents everyone
• NAACP took advantage of freedom of speech while trying to end an era of institutionalised racism through court rulings - 1964 Brown v Board of Education Toepka + AARP stand for issues affecting those over 50 and one of the biggest US pressure groups
• pressure groups represent a wide range of issues Sierra Club aim to protect the Earth’s wild places and they promote the responsible use of Earth’s resources)

Question 3

Representation disagreement

Answer 3

• pressure groups representing the views of minorities enhances tyranny of minority
• Obamacare was a collection of polices that were strongly shaped by PHRMA in favour of pharmaceutical companies as opposed to patients which led to drug companies making around an additional $35 billion in profits while the population experienced rising taxes as a result

Question 4

Legislation agreement

Answer 4

pressure groups influence policy that protects constitutional rights (NRA lobbied Congress to prevent further background checks for gun ownership and retain 2nd amendment)

Question 5

Legislation disagreement

Answer 5

• ‘revolving doors’ and ‘iron triangles’ see pressure groups bypass legislation between pressure groups and executive
• after Sandy Hooks shooting Obama was unable to introduce new gun reforms due to the iron triangle between the NRA and the Republican members of the legislature + in 2012 64% of those who weren’t re-elected went into lobbying for example David Hoppe

Question 6

Raising issues agreement

Answer 6

• pressure groups raise issues that provide important links between people and government
• ACLU aims to defend and preserve individual rights and liberties
• AFL-CIO aim to represent more than 12 million active and retired workers and engage in lobbying during major elections

Question 7

Raising issues disagreement

Answer 7

• pressure groups succeed in aiding the wealthy in society
• 2014 Hobby v Lobby ruling saw corporations granted the same religious rights as people and the NRA spent $3.3 million on lobbying in 2014 which accumulates to their immense success
• tolerance of more extremist pressure groups of far left or right undermines rights of other groups
• National White People’s Party or known as the American Nazi Party are a white supremacist and nationalist group as well as the Ku Klux Klan