Exam Questions June 2022: Debates Concerning the Power of Pressure Groups Flashcards
How are US pressure groups too powerful regarding elitism?
Well-funded groups have more influence - e.g. US Chamber of Commerce spent $77 million in 2019 - achieved the US-Mexic0-Canada agreement after meeting with Congressmen on 36 occasions - though larger pressure groups may be unrepresentative of the electorate.
How are US pressure groups too powerful regarding revolving doors?
Revolving door syndrome ensures only large companies/groups have influence in Congress - e.g. Eugene Scalia - Secretary of Labour in 2019 - before that lobbied on behalf of Goldman Sachs and Facebook after resigning from Bush’s cabinet.
How are US pressure groups too powerful regarding legislative influence.
Some groups may conjure huge congressional influence - e.g. NRA successfully blocked all gun control legislation between 2102 and 2016 - regardless of whether it was supported by Obama and the wider public.
How are pressure groups too powerful regarding amicus briefs?
Used to influence constitutional change - e.g. ACLU contributed to the record 148 amicus briefs in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) - supports only the wealthiest groups who are able to afford proceedings - however ensures rights are protected - constitutional sovereignty of the decision.
How are pressure groups too powerful regarding donations?
Little regulation on donations to pressure groups - decision in Citizens United v. FEC - removed many of the limits on pressure groups donations - allows them to levy near unlimited funds - e.g. US Chamber of Commerce raised and spent $77 million in 2019 - however 75% of Americans are in favour of a reversal of the decision.
How are pressure groups not too powerful regarding elitism?
High spending does not always guarantee results - e.g. US Chamber of Commerce, despite spending $77 million, failed to convince Trump’s gov. to reverse tariffs on goods from China and the EU - it may be public support which makes them more influential.
How aren’t US pressure groups too powerful regarding access.
Access does not always grant influence - legislators use pressure group information as guidance and advisory - though may be used to produce more effective laws - legislators are ultimately held accountable by the electorate - e.g. Albert Wynne and Wayne Gilcrest.
How aren’t pressure groups too powerful regarding legislators?
Legislators are ultimately accountable to the electorate - pressure groups ensure citizens’ rights are protected outside the prevailing electoral cycle - e.g. NRA defends the right to bear arms (2nd amendment).
How aren’t pressure groups too powerful regarding the judiciary.
Ultimately use the judiciary to protect rights - e.g. NAACP funded Brown v. Topeka (1954) - ruled the ‘separate but equal’ clause unconstitutional also ACLU in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) - the power of these decisions comes from the constitutional role of the SC - not the pressure groups themselves.
How aren’t pressure groups too powerful regarding scorecards?
Scorecards make the electoral process more transparent and pellucid - e.g. the League of Conservation Voters produces a ‘dirty dozen’ list before ever election - in 2020 5/12 on their list were defeated - attack valence issues such as climate change that voters care a lot about.
What is ‘dependence corruption?’ and who coined the concept?
When legislators become dependent on the donations given to them by pressure groups and they then begin to prioritise their interests over those who voted for them. Professor Lawrence Lessig.
How are pressure groups not too powerful regarding the limitations on lobbying?
Lobbying is restricted to some extent - e.g. Honest Leadership and Open Government Act 2007 - mandates a ‘cooling off’ period when resigning - however the Sunlight Foundation found that 29/104 congressmen whose ‘cooling off’ period ended in the first session of the 114th Congress were already in lobbying positions.
Give an example of dependency corruption.
In 2009, £6.5 million was spent per each member elected to congress.
Congressman now spend 70% of their time raising money and 30% of their time deliberating as they were intended to do - according to Lessig.
Give an example of dependency corruption.
In 2009, £6.5 million was spent per each member elected to congress.
Congressman now spend 70% of their time raising money and 30% of their time deliberating as they were intended to do - according to Lessig.
