Pressure Groups

Question 1

Political pluralism

Answer 1

Different groups, people have a say in how decisions are made. Instead of one group government listens to different opinions.

Question 2

Insider and outsider groups

Answer 2

Insider close ties with the government
- American Medical Association
- NRA

Outsider gorups main use of direct action
- Climate Direct Action, 2016 turned off US oil valves

Question 3

Promotional groups and interest groups

Answer 3

Promotional groups
- Promote a particular cause they believe will benefit society
- Greenpeace USA

Interest Groups
- Campaign for the interests of the members of the group
- NAACP

Question 4

Social movements

Answer 4

Much less formalised than pressure groups
- #BLM

Question 5

Methods and tactics used by pressure groups to influence
decision-making: Electoral campaigning

Answer 5

• Endorsing candidates, making campaign donations
• 2016 Trump NRA spent $30 million to support him

Question 6

Methods and tactics used by pressure groups to influence
decision-making: Lobbying

Answer 6

Try to influence members of executive/legislature by meeting them
Insider contacts
- JP Morgan 2010/12 350 meetings
Professional lobbyists
- 2019 $3.5b spent on federal lobbying
Revolving door syndrome
- Eugene Scalia, Bush administration then Facebook

Question 7

Methods and tactics used by pressure groups to influence
decision-making: Using the courts

Answer 7

• NAACP Brown v Board of Education 1954
• ACLU Obergefell v Hodges 2015

Question 8

Methods and tactics used by pressure groups to influence
decision-making: Grassroots campaigning

Answer 8

Pressure group gets its members involved in taking action to influence decision-makers.
- 2020 NAACP promoted petitions for George Floyd justice

Question 9

Methods and tactics used by pressure groups to influence
decision-making: Direct action

Answer 9

• Dakota Pipeline 2016/17 Greenpeace protests
• Halted under Obama, continued under Trump in 2017

Question 10

Iron triangle

Answer 10

The relationship between an interest group, Congress and the executive branch. 3 players gain by supporting each
other’s interests.
- Big pharma

Question 11

Are pressure groups in the USA too powerful?

Answer 11

Yes
- Pressure groups elitists, well funded
- Revolving door excessive influence
- Iron triangles
- Some pressure groups too much influence like NRA
- Direct action violent
- Undermine political parties role

No
- Essential to a pluralist society, protected by the 1st Amendment
- Access does not automatically guarantee influence
- Pressure group help legislators protect rights
- Pressure groups form of free speech
- Direct action leads to changes

Question 12

The influence of pressure groups on government in the USA Vs UK

Answer 12

Access points
- USA more president, 2 chambers of legislature
- UK GE 5 years, local council, mayors.
Involvement in elections
- USA unlimited money
Lobbying
- More developed in USA 3.5b 2019 vs UK 2.2b
Impact of legal challenges
- US SC more powerful

Question 13

Do US or UK pressure groups have more influence?

Answer 13

US
- More access points
- Weak party discipline
- More funded
- Iron triangles
- Pressure groups, legal challenges to achieve landmark rulings
- Revolving door syndrom

UK
- Pressure group, quickly achieve goals through majority government.
- Lack of codified constitution, influence parliament to change laws
- Trade Unions influence on Labor
- Professional lobbying industry is growing