Pressure Groups

Question 1

Outline how pressure groups in the US are more important regarding electoral campaigning.

Answer 1

• Pressure groups’ ability to levy funds and donate, is largely unbridled.
• E.g. average cost of winning a Senate seat in 2016 - $19 million - Senators sit for 6 years and appoint justices.
• Funding is a significant access point - ensures the pressure group’s interests are voiced and Senators are held accountable by pressure groups.

Question 2

Outline how UK pressure groups are less important regarding electoral campaigning.

Answer 2

• Electoral law in the UK acts as a greater impedance on pressure group influence.
• e.g. the average ‘bill’ for an MP to gain a seat in the HoC was £200,000 in 2017
• implication is that the fund levying ability of pressure groups is limited - have to venture down the mendacious avenue of lobbying politicians.

Question 3

Outline how US pressure groups are more important with regards to trade unions and party endorsement.

Answer 3

• Pressure groups will endorse candidates, particularly incumbents.
• E.g. 96% of congressmen were re-elected in 2020
• Pressure groups only augment this trend as it is easier for an incumbent to attract campaign support, allowing them to produce campaign materials.
• Significant as it ever more ostracises challengers and minor parties, perpetuating the two party system. Suggesting that pressure groups may be less important in maintaining democracy.

Question 4

Outline how UK pressure groups are less/more important in relation to trade unions and party endorsement.

Answer 4

• Parties may be affiliated by trade unions and pressure groups.
• E.g. Labour party was founded as a result of the trade union movement
• Labour party is affiliated with the ‘Unite’ trade union - with 1.4 million members.
• 2021 - Unite has distanced themselves with the party - resorting to a mere £1 million affiliate donation annually.
• Significant as parties are held accountable to pressure groups - they will be quick to express their displeasure - 1.4 million members may think differently at the polling station in 2024.

Question 5

Outline how US pressure groups are more important regarding the Judiciary.

Answer 5

• Judicial review is a more established access point for US pressure groups.
• Amicus Curiae briefs allow pressure groups to influence the outcome of a case.
• E.g. American Families Association - contributed to 148 amicus briefs in Obergefell v. Hodges - legalise gay marriage.

Question 6

Outline how UK pressure groups are more/less important with regards to the Judiciary.

Answer 6

• Although amicus briefs are less commonly used in UK, judicial review is becoming increasingly commonplace in UK courtrooms.
• E.g. R (Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants) v. Home Secretary (2019) - Gov’s ‘right to rent’ scheme was incompatible with the ECHR (Art. 14).
• Significant as it circumvents the requirement to lobby legislators to amend the law in both nations.
• Limited in the UK due to parliamentary sovereignty - JR runs the risk of proposals being rejected by parliament - campaign time and money may have been wasted -

Question 7

Give three ways pressure groups in the US could be considered too powerful.

Answer 7

Too powerful:
- Elitist - the more money, the more influence - e.g. US Chamber of Commerce - spent $77 million in 2019 - achieved the US-Mexico-Canada agreement after meeting with 36 congressmen - Citizens United v. FEC - removed nearly all limits on donations.

• Amicus briefs - American Families Association contributed to the record 148 briefs in Obergefell v. Hodges - whilst it supports legislative change - only benefits larger pressure groups that can afford costly proceedings.
• Revolving door means lobbyists secure huge influence from their previous experience - Eugene Scalia - lobbied on behalf of Goldman Sachs and Facebook after resigning from the Bush administration.

Question 8

Give three ways pressure groups enhance democracy in the US.

Answer 8

Enhance democracy:
- High spending does not automatically achieve influence - US Chamber of Commerce could not influence the Trump administration to reverse tariffs on goods from China and EU - despite spending $77 million in 2019.

• Scorecards keep the electoral process transparent - League of Conservation Voters produces a ‘dirty dozen’ - 5/12 of those on the list were defeated in 2020.
• Using the judiciary grants greater protection of rights - NAACP funded Brown v Topeka (separate but equal) - ACLU funded Obergefell v. Hodges - both landmark cases in the history of civil rights.

Question 9

Give three ways pressure groups can exert influence on government.

Answer 9

• Use of amicus curiae briefs - American Families Association contributed to the record 148 briefs in Obergefell v. Hodges - generates impetus for legislative change outside electoral cycle.
• Donations to candidates - US Chamber of Commerce donated $77 million in 2019 - successfully influenced the US-Mexico-Canada agreement after meeting with 36 congressmen.
• Lobbying - revolving door - Eugene Scalia lobbied on behalf of Facebook and Goldman Sachs after resigning from the Bush administration - have contacts to make lobbying more efficacious for pressure groups.