Pressure Groups Enhancing Democracy Flashcards
do pressure groups enhance democracy
no
who do pressure groups disproportionately represent
a few wealthy donors
what theory talks about this disproportionality
the elite theory
what is the elite theory
the idea that privileged wealthy PGs co-operate with decision-makers to advance their own interests rather than to benefit the public interest
who has been accused of elitism
Hilary Clinton
what did Hilary Clinton do
she was accused of being of special interest to financial institutions and some of the groups traditionally aligned with the democrats (EMILY’s list, TUs, lawyers)
what PG is able to influence bills
American Legislative Exchange Council
how many members do the ALEC have
2000
what did Beckel say
this great nation and its government belong to all of the people, and not to a handful of billionaires, their super PACs and lobbyists
what do IG successfully represent
specific groups to promote their ideas and priorities
what is an IG who represents an ethnic minority
NAACP promotes civil rights, doing so against the decision made in Shelby County v Holder
what do IGs contribute to
healthy pluralist democracy by representing diverse, minority interests to provide representation between elections
who came up with the pluralist theory
Robert Dahl
what do groups often encourage
violent actions
what violent actions have there been
the ALF riot in May 1984 caused $60,000 worth of damage to a university in Pennsylvania
what is the way in which pressure groups participate e
spending lots of money doesn’t enhance democracy.
how much did EMILY’s list spend in 2020
69.4 million
what do IG provide a useful alternative for
political participation outside of parties
what grassroots activities have there been
the 2020 pro-life and pro-choice IGs protesting outside the SC about the Mississippi case
how do IGs enhance participation
they educate people like the LCV’s ‘Dirty Dozen’
what are IGs compared to parties
unelected and unaccountable
what do IGs not possess
a mandate
who is a wealthy IG leader
Wayne LaPierre head of the NRA
how do the IGs hold the courts to account
can use amicus briefs
NAACP sponsored Brown v Board
name a group that solely represents civil rights issues
ACLU
what issues can IGs bring to the attention
ones that politicians ignore, BLM influenced Biden to issue an executive order on their first day in office regarding policing and racism
