INTEREST GROUPS - methodology Flashcards
ELECTIONEERING
Definition and example
Since campaign finance reforms inn the 1970s, huge changes have taken place in the role of interest groups and political fundraising which limit the amount of money that any interest group can donate to a candidate in a federal election.
This has led to the creation of Political Action Committee.
2020 - Coalition to Stop Gun Violence endorsed Joe Biden.
LOBBYING
Definition and example
Large and well-funded interest groups make use of professional lobbyists to help put their arguments forward to legislators.
Often maintain officers in K Street in Washington D.C
NRA ILA (lobbying arm of the NRA) is good at lobbying - CEO Wayne LaPierre is a listed lobbyist on Open Secrets. He gave evidence to Congress in 2013 on the issue of gun violence, where he advocated for better education on gun safety, qualified instructers, proper enforcement of existing firearm laws.
VOTING CUES + REPORT CARDS
Definition and example
Essentially guidance on which candidates individuals should support or oppose.
Interest groups place pressure on politicians through issuing annual report cards on them - Congress members will be ranked on how well they have supported an issue on their voting record.
Senator Sanders was given a D by the NRA in 2016 when he was campaigning for presidency - he wore it like a badge of honour.
GRASSROOTS ACTIVITIES
Definition and example
These are often the most effective methods - especially if directed at legislators and policy-makers.
Marches and demonstrations are often aimed at state and federal court houses -
In 2018, hundreds of protesters were arrested outside SCOTUS when they were protesting one last plea to senators to reject Kavanaugh’s nomination - NARAL was one of the interest groups to organise over 200 events in all 50 states in Aug 2018 to encourage senators to vote NO.
LEGAL CHALLENGES
Definition and example
Interest groups recently have made attempts to achieve influence via legislation and the courts.
They often help support and finance legal cases that have had direct impact on their policy area.
2020 June - coalition of LGBTQ+ groups combined to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration which announced it would roll back the Obama-era transgender healthcare professionals.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Definition and example
Direct donations are still limited by campaign finance legislation and so these sums are nowhere near the sums spent on lobbying.
‘Retired’ is the biggest contributor in the 2021-2022 election cycle - $119,000,000 in election cycle.
