Pressure Groups

Question 1

What is Political Pluralism

Answer 1

Political philosophy that emphasises the benefits of many different groups influencing the decision-making process

Question 2

What is theory of elitism?

Answer 2

Pressure Groups that have more influence because they are better funded. e.g. the NRA

Question 3

A good eample of an Interest group

Answer 3

The NAACP - funded ‘Brown v Topeka’
(1954)

An example of PGs using the courts

Question 4

What is the difference between Social Groups and PGs + give examples

Answer 4

Social movemtns are much less formalised and newer ones revolve around social media so spread quickly to the political agenda- #MeToo, #Blacklivesmatter

Question 5

Give an example of electoral campaiging

Answer 5

League of Conservation Voters spent $85m in 2018, winning back the House for the Dems

Question 6

What is a good example of electoral campaign funded by PG

Answer 6

SBA list funded pro-life Dem Dan lipinski and contributed $100k and wnet to 17k houses - Dan only won by 2k votes so PG influence crucial - 2018

Question 7

How can big PGs like the NRA influence elections

Answer 7

• release votng scorecards - A-F based oon members voting toward guns
• Spent $52.5m on campaiging in 2016
• Focus on Senate races - 96% of budget on 6 senate races + presi campaign in 2020

Question 8

What is a good example on the limit of PgS?

Answer 8

Super PACs spent $215m on Clinton in 2016 but she still lost - spent half that on Trump

Question 9

What is a good example that explains the extent of the Iron Triangle

Answer 9

2019, 51 members of Congress owned a combined $5m shares in defence companies

Senator Roy blunt owned $100k in Lockheed martin and his subcommittee awared $1.5b contract to the company in 2020

Question 10

Example of Insider Contacts

Answer 10

Reps from J.P.Morgan + Goldman Sachs had over 350 meetings with federal agencies in 2010-12 RE the financial crisis

Question 11

Example of the Revolving Door Syndrome in action

Answer 11

Eugene Scali worked for Bush’s administration before lobbying on behalf of US chamber of commerce and became secretary of labor in 2019

Shows how influencial PGs can be if they have contacts like this

Question 12

What are the influence of Amicus Curiae Briefs

Answer 12

Number submitted has increased - in 1950s avg SC case received just 1, in 2019-20, a record 16 were submitted - record 148 given to ‘Obergefell v Hodges’

Eilists - more likley to work if written by legal experts so PG access to these depends on funding. e.g ACLU wrote 40% of ACBs in 2019-20

Cna give voice to smaller gorups of society - e.g. Jewish War vets in ‘American Legion v American Humanist Association’ (2019)

Question 13

Good example of dircet action

Answer 13

Anti-Vietnam protests in 60s+70s

SANE organising 500k protest in NY

Vietnam Vets throwing 800 medals at capitol

Question 14

What is an example of PGs deliberately using force

Answer 14

1969, weatherman carried out a bombing campaign on political sites

2021 - Jan 6th riots - trying to inleunce electoral resutls

Question 15

What SC case transformed the extent to which Super PACs can be exploited financially ?

Answer 15

‘Citizens United v Federal Election Commission’ (2010)

financial support seen as free speech so unlimited money allowed as long as it is ‘independent expenditure’

Ppl can donate to Super PACs who can then spend

Question 16

How much did Super PACs spend on election in 2020

Answer 16

$1.8b by both left + rigth wing groups

Question 17

3 reasons that Super PACs have too much influence in US

Answer 17

unlimited funding allows bypass of electoral campaign finance restrictions

Tiny majoirty influence - less than 1% of adult pop provided 2/3rd of funding in 2016 e..g . Sheldon Adelson + wife donated over $100m to conservative super PACs in 2020, incl $75m to anti-Biden ‘Preserve America’

Campaigns transformed - donations can transform a campaign, meaning legislators may subsequently vote in interest of financial backers, not the public - Ted Cruz, $300k a yr from NRA

Question 18

3 reasons Super PACs dont have too much power in US

Answer 18

If USA is truly pluralistic, PG’s must be allowed

PG’s represent a broad range of issues than covered by party platforms - Amicus curiae briefs, Jewish veterans

Money does not = victory;
2016, Super PACs spent nearly $129m mre on Clinton than Trump

Question 19

Reasons that PGs are too powerful

Answer 19

Elitist;
Well-funded groups are more likely to succeed and afford better lobbyists e.g. ACLU had 40% cited Amicus Curiae briefs because of its lobbyists

Revolving Door Syndrome;
Gives corporations excessive influence over politicians
E.g. Eugene Scali worked for Bush’s administration before lobbying on behalf of US chamber of commerce and became secretary of labor in 2019

Iron Triangles lead to executive and Congress taking decisons that benefit interest groups over people - Lockheed Martin and 51 members having $1.25-3m in defence shares then subcommittee spending $1.5b on defence

The Citizens United case increased role of PG funding in elections, while elitist and unpoopular with public

Can be violent

Question 20

Reasosn that PGs aren’t too Powerful in US

Answer 20

1st Amendment;
Right to lobby is protected by Constitution

Social Movements can provide a cheap and effective alternative to power of wealthy interest groups - #BlackLiveMatter

PG’s can play an important role in scrutiny - Anti-Vietnam protests, Vietnam Vets organise throwing 800 medals at capitol

PG’s Legal Success;
NAACP funded ‘Brown v Topeka’ (1954)

Direct Action can put important issues on the political agenda; #Metoo led to the arrest of Harvy Weinstein

Question 21

NRA spending on Trump in 2016 ?

Answer 21

$30.5m

Question 22

example of pressure group influence on Senator Kyristen Sinema in 2022

Answer 22

Conservative Dem and forced concessions to support the Inflation Reduction Act as seante was tied 50-50

Sinema wanted tax provision removed as she recieves the 3rd most donations in Senate from Finance and Tax companies in 2022