How Does The Political System Encourage PG Activity Flashcards
What are three ways the US political system encourages PG activity?
-separation of powers = more access points
-open system of gov e..g lobbying (K street) + protesting (CR movement)
-guaranteed constitutional rights - first amendment ‘petition gov for redress of grievances’
How does the separation of powers increase PG activity? - 1
-federal system promotes PG through different power centres
-legislature, executive + judiciary at state + federal level
How can PGs target the judiciary?
-use lower + highest courts e.g. SC
What do they hope for when targeting the SC?
-landmark rulings accomplishing their main objective
What is an example of this?
-ACLU brought legal case Obergefell v Hodges 2015 legalising same sex marriage across US
What else has the ACLU done through targeting the judiciary?
-mounted 56 legatos challenges against Trumps admin 2017-18
-e.g. challenged his 2017 ban on trans people joining military
How does the open system of gov encourage pressure group activity? - 2
-political culture + open gov system with traditions of lobbying, campaigning + protests encourage PG activity
Through what is this enabled?
-open committee system in Congress
How do they encourage pressure group activity?
-confessional committees play critical role shaping legislations
-are open to testimony + input from lobbyists
How do professional lobbyists utilise this openness?
-professional lobbyists on K-street use openness to present cases, influence bills or advocate specific bill amendments
What is an example of this?
-PhRMA lobbyists worked closely with health committees like subcommittee on Energy + Commerce to ensure ACA incl. provisions beneficial to their clients
What is an example of these specific provisions?
-maintaining exclusivity of biologic drugs
How does the amendment system encourage pressure group activity? - 3
-first amendment right to ‘petition the gov for a redress of grievances’
-right of freedom of speech + assembly
How do PGs use this amendment?
-freely + legally lobby legislators, file lawsuits or advocate for policy changes without fear of gov repression
What is an example of this?
-environmental PG Sierra Club frequently petition congress + federal agencies to strengthen environmental protections
-e.g. Clean Air Act 1990 through legal pressure, public pressure etc.
