Pressure groups Flashcards
Pressure groups being elitist/eroding pluralist democracy - Disproportionate influence
Interests can exercise a disproportionate influence over legislators at the federal and state level through Political Action Committees (PACs) and lobbying to amend legislation as its being considered
Over the past 40 years, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC, which is an umbrella group funded by commercial interests) has successfully drafted model bills based on free market economics that legislators are then encouraged to introduce
Because such groups have such a disproportionate influence the ordinary voters influence is diminished, with elections and candidate’s commitments being less important that contributions and lobbying
Pressure groups being elitist/eroding pluralist democracy - The ‘free-rider problem’
Many people may support a large ‘cause group’ such as Greenpeace which is seeking broad social goals but each individual participant isn’t likely to gain much by joining the group
Particular interest groups have the advantage that if a group is small and seeking benefits limited to its own membership then each participant has much to gain and will likely be fully committed, meaning they dominate the lobbying process
In 2009, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) backed the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA),which aims to restore fairness for workers 40 and older by treating age discrimination as seriously as other forms of workplace discrimination
Pressure groups being elitist/eroding pluralist democracy - ‘Hyperpluralism’
Increasing group activity is strangling the process of governing as each group seeks to secure gains from the government and outdo other rival groups, leading to a situation Where all the different demands made by groups choke the government, and makes it more difficult to find the correct solution
e.g. There are over 200 categories of interest group, consisting of over 4000 different significant interest groups, a hugely overbearing number to be dealt with
Pressure groups being pluralist/being a bulwark of pluralist democracy - Social reforms
Pressure group activity has as times led to important social reforms and the extension of democracy
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) lobbied extensively for the repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) law, which barred gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the United States military. Which was repealed under Obama in 2011
Pressure groups being pluralist/being a bulwark of pluralist democracy - Bringing issues to attention
In a two-party system, the two main parties have a broad character while having a narrow range of policies which that define them such as Democrats being pro-choice and Republicans being pro-life
However, there are still many issues that remain largely unaddressed which pressure groups can bring to the forefront e.g. In 2020 with the killing of George Floyd, BLM used mass street protests to bring political attention to police brutality against black people
Pressure groups being pluralist/being a bulwark of pluralist democracy - Defending constitutional rights
With the large emphasis on the constitution and constitutional rights in the US, some pressure groups can be significant in defending peoples rights
Defending peoples rights is the stated goal of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) e.g. with free speech In 2009, the ACLU filed an amicus brief in Citizens United v FEC, arguing that the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 violated the First Amendment right to free speech by curtailing political speech
Types of Pressure Groups - Outsider Group
Groups without connections to the government. Their aims are often anti-establishment in nature, seeking radical change. Many use direct action such as marches, sit-ins or even violence to gain publicity.
e.g. Black Lives Matter seeks to highlight the affects of racial inequality on black people
In 2013, the movement began with the use of the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on social media after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of African American teen Trayvon Martin in February 2012
Black Lives Matter became internationally recognized in 2020 with the killing of George Floyd, BLM used mass street protests to bring political attention to police brutality against black people
Types of Pressure Groups - Insider Group
Groups with connections to the government.Usually well-funded, with strong ties to the political establishment, often including links to both main parties. They are much more likely to use lower-profile methods to achieve their aims, such as hiring professional lobbyists to put their case to politicians and federal agencies
e.g. NORPAC is a bipartisan, multi-candidate political action committee (PAC) working to strengthen United States support for Israel
Each year, before its annual Mission to Washington, NORPAC selects 5 issues or bills it will discuss that year, such as the Iran Freedom Support Act, which imposes sanctions on Iran in response to nuclear activity.
Types of Pressure Groups - Causal Group
Campaign for a particular cause or issue
e.g. NRA, the National Rifle Association, promoting gun rights and ownership
In 2016 the NRA raised a record $366 million and spent $412 million for political activities. The organization donated to congressional races for both Republicans (223) and Democrats (9) to candidates for Congress. The NRA also maintains a PAC which is excluded from these figures.
On May 20, 2016, the NRA endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 US presidential election, unusually before he became the official Republican nominee. In the 2016 election the NRA reported spending more than $30 million in support of Donald Trump, more than any other independent group in that election, and three times what it spent in the 2012 presidential election
Types of Pressure Groups - Sectional Group
Seek to represent their own section or group within society
e.g. AARP, American Association of Retired Persons, promoting the aims of pensioners
In early 2017, AARP strongly opposed the American Health Care Act 2017, saying that older Americans would be unfairly burdened with higher premiums and smaller tax credits. In 2017, AARP successfully opposed legislative efforts to repeal the ACA
In 2009, AARP backed the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA),which aims to restore fairness for workers 40 and older by treating age discrimination as seriously as other forms of workplace discrimination
Functions of pressure groups - representation
They are a means by which Americans can have their views represented and provide a channel of easy access through which ordinary citizens can voice their opinions
e.g. AARP, American Association of Retired Persons, promoting the aims of pensioners such as In 2009, AARP backed the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA),which aims to restore fairness for workers 40 and older by treating age discrimination as seriously as other forms of workplace discrimination
Functions of pressure groups - citizen participation
Increase the opportunities for participation between elections as many seek far greater, more frequent participation in the democratic process
e.g. Black Lives Matter gave people a way to participate in politics in its mass protests in 2020
Functions of pressure groups - agenda building
Pressure groups may perform the function of agenda building by attempting to influence the agendas of political parties, legislators, and bureaucrats
Functions of pressure groups - public education
Pressure groups can attempt to educate public opinion
e.g. In 2011, the ACLU started its ‘Don’t Filter Me’ project, countering LGBT-related Internet censorship in public schools in the United States
Functions of pressure groups - programme monitoring
