Pressure Groups (Facts)

Question 1

Examples of institutional pressure groups

Answer 1

American Business Conference, United Auto Workers, National Farmers’ Union

Question 2

Examples of membership pressure groups

Answer 2

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

Question 3

How many members does the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) have?

Answer 3

40 million

Question 4

Which group would an American join to specifically campaign for environment conservation?

Answer 4

Sierra Club

Question 5

Example of AARP lobbying

Answer 5

In opposition to Bush’s 2005 State of the Union to privatise prescription drugs sector

Question 6

Material benefits of groups

Answer 6

Sierra Club sends out a regular magazine called ‘Sierra’; AARP provides health insurance for members

Question 7

Group that gives members purposive benefits

Answer 7

Amnesty International

Question 8

Group that gives members solidarity benefits

Answer 8

National Audubon Society

Question 9

Which pressure group endorsed Romeny and Trump due to their stance on abortion?

Answer 9

National Right to Life

Question 10

Who benefited from the AARP’s endorsement in 2008?

Answer 10

Larry Kissell - Democrat challenger who saw 5% swing in race against Robin Hayes

Question 11

Examples of K street lobbyists

Answer 11

American Leigon, Institute for Mental Health Initiatives, Media Access Project

Question 12

High profile protest by pressure group

Answer 12

Anti-globalisation protesters outside WTO conference in Seattle in 1999

Question 13

Unsuccessful pressure group action

Answer 13

League of Women Voters attempt to pass Equal Rights Amendment in 1970s and 80s

Question 14

First act to significantly regulate pressure groups activities?

Answer 14

Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act 1946
Lobbyists had to register with clerk of House and Secretary of Senate if they were raising money to help pass or defeat legislation

Question 15

Which act did the Democrats pass to regulate lobbying heavily?

Answer 15

Honest Leadership and Open Government Act 2007

• 2 year cooling off period for senators and executive officials before lobbying congress/ department
• Prohibits lobbyists from giving gifts to congressmen
• Criminal penalty of 5 years if Lobby Disclosure Act is knowingly violated

Question 16

Examples of iron triangle

Answer 16

American Leigon; Veterans’ Affairs Committees; Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Americans for Peace, Prosperity and Security; Armed Services Committee; the Pentagon

Question 17

Unequal pressure groups

Answer 17

NRA (4 million members) and Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (600k members)

Question 18

Membership of NAACP?

Answer 18

300,000

Question 19

Percentage of Americans who wanted stricter gun laws after Sandy Hook Massacre in 2012?

Answer 19

58% (Gallup poll)