Pressure Group Activity Flashcards
Who wrote the theory of elitism?
Mill
Who wrote the theory of pluralism?
Dahls
What is the idea of pluralism?
political power in society does not rest soley with the electorate or the governing party elite but is distributed among a number of different groups.
What is elitism?
a theory which suggest that political power rests with a small group of society who have gained power through wealth, family status or intellectual superiority.
What are institutional pressure groups?
seek to represent the interests of organizations.
Name the largest labour union pressure group in the US
AFL-CIO
Name one “professional” pressure group in the US
American Medical Association
What are membership pressure groups?
groups that seek to represent individual Americans and the interests that are concerned with them.
Name a single issue group
NRA
Name an ideological group
American Conservative Way Forward
Name a group rights organisation
NAACP or National Organization for Women
How have the National Farmers Union represented the interests of members?
pushing the Renewable Fuel Standard of 2005
How has the NRA attempted to educate its members?
Eddie the Eagle Gun Safety projects
One agenda that has been led by a pressure group.
Sierra Club pushed Obama for 3 years to VETO the Keystone XL Pipeline .
One issue that has been monitored by pressure groups
The American Civil Liberties Union have continued to monitor DT plan to ban all Muslim immigration, leading the court cases in Washington and Hawaii against the executive orders.
What are the material benefits of joining the AARP?
Discounts on insurance policies, pharmacy discounts and motor club membership.
One example of a pressure group whose members join for purposive reasons?
Amnesty International- people join to try and make society a better place.
How much did PAC’s and Super PAC’s contribute in the 2016 election?
$1.1 billion
How much did Rob Portman (Ohio) get from PAC’s?
$9 million
Name the key pressure groups to endorse Clinton
AFL-CIO, Sierra Club
Name the key pressure groups to endorse Trump
NRA, American Energy Alliance, National Border Patrol Council
What can be the effect of pressure group endorsement for a candidate?
See a bounce in the polls, if that pressure groups has widespread support.
John Kennedy 2016 NRA endorsed and saw 3% bounce over 2nd amendment stance.
What is the key grass roots movement which has emerged post the Trump win?
Swing Left- target the key swing seats in order to get a Democratic majority in the House in 2018.
Two example of pressure group impact on Environmental policy?
- Sierra Club lobbied for VETO of keystone XL pipeline in 2015: 2017 AEA lobbied Trump to overturn that VETO in order.
- Wilderness Soicety promote package of protection measures in 2009 Public land Omnibus act.
Two examples of the impact of the NRA on public policy?
- NRA opposition to the Brady Bill and Assault Weapons Ban.
- Pushed for a second amendment candidate to sit on the Supreme Court (role in 2008 District v. Heller)
What does the NRA spend on lobbying?
$3.2 million
Name some different access points for pressure groups.
Congress- members, committees (State Legislatures)
Executive- 15 departments and agencies (State Executives)
Judicial- State, Circuit and Supreme Courts
How do the NFU pressure congressmen into a certain position and give an example of this.
They give scores to each member of congress based on voting intentions. Tim Ryan 100% v David Joyce 33.3%
Which pressure groups wanted to influence the Affordable Care Act 2011?
Pharmaceutical Companies- Glaxo Smith Klyne
Give some key cases where pressure groups have influenced the courts?
ACLU- Trumps travel ban judicial review 2017
ACLU- Obergfill v Hodges 2015
NRA- DC v. Heller 2008
What is set out in the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act 1946?
required that lobbyist register with the clerk of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the Senate.. Defines a lobbyist as anyone who wants to aid or defeat legislation.
What is set out in the Federal Election Campaign Act 1974
Limit the contributions that a pressure groups can make to a political campaign.
What is set out in the Lobby Disclosure Act 1995
Greater levels of accountability as to the action of pressure groups. Sets out what a pressure group is.
What is the effect of the Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 on lobbying and pressure group activity?
Another strict regulation on pressure groups ability to contribute to a campaign
What is set out the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act?
- close down the revolving door
- stopped lobbyist paying for meals to congressmen
- full disclosure of lobbyist activity
What was the effect of Donald Trumps executive order on January 28th 2017
Lobbying restrictions for 5 years on domestic workers and government and a ban on foreign governments.
After 2010 how many defeated House members became lobbyist?
31%
How many defeated house members became lobbyist clients?
22%
How many of the NRA lobbyist used to work in government?
12 of the 34
How many of the Obama administration once worked for pressure groups?
70% key figures such as Jim Messina and David Axelrod
