Evaluate the view that interest groups are positive for democracy.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Representation
• Expertise
• Protection of Rights

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

Interest groups in the USA are in fact damaging for democracy

Question 3

Positive - Representation - Point

Answer 3

In the two-party system of the USA many citizens are inclined to support interest groups in order to fight specific issues - this helps to represent minorities

Question 4

Positive - Representation - Examples

Answer 4

• The Black Lives Matter interest group held a series of protests across the USA in 2020, it is estimated that between 15 and 26 million people took in these - driving up participation
• The AIPAC is pro-Israeli and they have around 2.7 million members

Question 5

Negative - Representation - Point

Answer 5

Not all pressure groups are treated equally within the political system. Bigger interest groups with widespread support are often unable to achieve their aims and are trumped by smaller more elite interest groups

Question 6

Negative - Representation - Examples

Answer 6

• Planned Parenthood has 17 million members; however, the Dobbs v Jackson case took away the federal right to abortion - this favoured groups such as the National Right to Life which only has 7 million members
• The Sierra Club has over 1 million members across the USA, but they were unsuccessful in the passage of Cap n Trade under Obama

Question 7

Positive - Expertise - Point

Answer 7

In the USA lobbying is far more important tactic of interest groups, many are based close to the Pentagon in K Street. These lobbying groups help to provide expertise

Question 8

Positive - Expertise - Examples

Answer 8

• The American Medical Association is an interest groups comprised of medical professionals, their expertise was invaluable to the federal government and states during Covid-19
• The National Association of Realtors represents not only realtors but homeowners in general. They are one of the largest US lobbying groups and provided expertise on the housing market

Question 9

Negative - Expertise - Point

Answer 9

Many of the pressure groups in the US are single issue, this means they promote thier own selfish interest and the expertise they provide is often one sided, damaing democracy

Question 10

Negative - Expertise - Examples

Answer 10

• Congressmen spend 3 out of 5 days a week meeting with lobbyists, but this is for a price. The important of money means that healthy donations over actual expertise can gain influence - Trump said ‘I gave money to people … when I needed something from them … I call them’
• The US Chamber of Commerce were able to lobby Congress into voting that pizza was a vegetable in 2011

Question 11

Positive - Protection of Rights - Point

Answer 11

There are a number of pressure groups in the USA which seek to protect the right of American citizens - these are arguably positive for democracy

Question 12

Positive - Protection of Rights - Examples

Answer 12

• The Human Rights Campaign is the largest LGBTQ+ pressure group in the US, they recently had major success in the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act which federally protected the right to gay marriage
• The American Civil Liberties Union were able to protect the 1st Amendment right to free speech in the Snyder v Phelps case

Question 13

Negative - Protection of Rights - Point

Answer 13

Once again interest groups tend to work for their own selfish cause not necessarily promoting the rights of the masses

Question 14

Negative - Protection of Rights - Examples

Answer 14

• Citizens United took the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act to the SC in 2010 under it affecting free speech - the court rule in their favour, however, this means that as previously mentioned Congressmen have become more focused on money
• Everytown for Gun Safety is an interest groups which promotes gun reform; however, this goes directly against the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms