Comparing pressure groups

Question 1

Explain the role of pressure groups (PGs) in democracy.

Answer 1

Pressure groups are important to democracy as they allow citizens to participate in politics, advocating for various interests and causes.

Question 2

Describe the influence of well-funded groups in the context of pressure groups.

Answer 2

Well-funded groups and corporations often have a disproportionate influence on politics compared to less funded groups.

Question 3

Identify two similar interest groups in the US and UK.

Answer 3

The American Medical Association in the US and the British Medical Association in the UK are similar interest groups.

Question 4

Define promotional groups and give an example from the US and UK.

Answer 4

Promotional groups defend similar causes; for example, the American Civil Liberties Union in the US and Liberty in the UK.

Question 5

How do the organizational structures of pressure groups differ between the US and UK?

Answer 5

US pressure groups have both federal and state-based offices, while UK pressure groups typically operate at a national level.

Question 6

Explain the access points available to pressure groups in the US.

Answer 6

The US federal system provides numerous access points for pressure groups, including over 19,000 directly elected mayors and city councils, compared to just 25 directly elected mayors in the UK.

Question 7

Compare the frequency of referendums in the US and UK.

Answer 7

Direct democracy in the US allows for more frequent referendums, while UK referendums are held less often and usually on constitutional issues.

Question 8

Describe the involvement of pressure groups in elections in the US.

Answer 8

US pressure groups can spend unlimited amounts on electioneering and donations to Super PACs.

Question 9

What are the spending restrictions for pressure groups in the UK during elections?

Answer 9

In the UK, spending in individual constituencies is capped at £9750, with strict regulations on political advertising; fines eg Vote Leave campaign fined £66,000.

Question 10

How does the lobbying industry compare between the US and UK?

Answer 10

The US has more than 11,000 professional lobbyists, while the UK has about 140 registered firms and individuals.

Question 11

Explain the financial scale of the lobbying industry in the US and UK.

Answer 11

The UK lobbying industry is worth £2bn a year, while the US lobbying industry is valued at $3.47bn.

Question 12

What is the ‘revolving door’ phenomenon in the context of pressure groups?

Answer 12

The ‘revolving door’ refers to the movement of individuals between roles as legislators and regulators and positions in pressure groups or lobbying firms.

Question 13

Describe the impact of legal challenges on pressure groups in the US and UK.

Answer 13

Judicial review is more limited in the UK, while US pressure groups utilize it more due to the potential for landmark rulings that can change laws.

Question 14

What was the outcome of the legal challenges supported by pressure groups for prisoners’ voting rights in the UK?

Answer 14

The European Court of Human Rights found the UK in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, but UK governments have ignored the ruling.

Question 15

Compare the methods of electoral campaigning used by pressure groups in the US and UK.

Answer 15

Pressure groups in the US engage in extensive electoral campaigning, while UK pressure groups face tighter restrictions on their electoral involvement.

Question 16

Describe the relationship between promotional groups and political parties in the US.

Answer 16

Promotional groups in the US have strong links to political parties, with gun rights and pro-life groups typically aligning with Republicans, while gun control and pro-choice groups align with Democrats.

Question 17

Explain the restrictions on promotional groups in the UK regarding political endorsements.

Answer 17

In the UK, promotional groups are often charities and are prohibited from endorsing political candidates.

Question 18

How does big business typically align with political parties in the US and UK?

Answer 18

Big business traditionally supports Republicans and Tories, although Democrats and Labour have also received significant funding.

Question 19

Define the role of trade unions in supporting political parties in the UK.

Answer 19

Trade unions have historically supported the Labour Party, which was founded with union backing; in 2019, 93% of registered donations to Labour came from unions.

Question 20

Compare the influence of trade unions in the UK and the US.

Answer 20

Trade unions have more influence in the UK, where 23% of employees are union members, compared to only 10% in the US.

Question 21

Explain the lobbying process in the US government.

Answer 21

In the US, lobbying involves targeting Congress and government at both state and federal levels, with a focus on government rather than individual MPs due to strong party discipline.

Question 22

Describe the significance of court cases in the context of lobbying.

Answer 22

Court cases like Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission (Alliance Defending Freedom) and Ashers Baking Company Ltd v Lee (the Christian Institute) illustrate how promotional groups can use the judicial system to influence policy.

Question 23

How do grassroots campaigns function in the political landscape?

Answer 23

Grassroots campaigns and direct action are methods used by promotional groups to mobilize public support and influence political decisions.

Question 24

Explain the influence of pressure groups in the US compared to the UK.

Answer 24

US pressure groups are considered to have more influence due to the separation of powers, allowing them to target the executive, legislature, and judiciary effectively.

Question 25

What is the impact of unlimited independent expenditures by US pressure groups?

Answer 25

The right of US pressure groups to make unlimited independent expenditures in election campaigns gives wealthy groups significant power and influence over the legislature and executive.

Question 26

Describe the success factors for pressure groups in the UK.

Answer 26

UK pressur groups can achieve considerable success by persuading the government to support their causes, aided by strict restrictions on election spending that level the playing field for smaller groups.

Question 27

Explain the goals of the Brady Campaign in the US.

Answer 27

The Brady Campaign advocates for gun control in the US and received over $37 million in funding in 2019, aiming to reduce gun violence.

Question 28

What historical event led to the naming of the Brady Campaign?

Answer 28

The Brady Campaign is named after James Brady, Reagan’s press secretary, who was shot during a 1981 assassination attempt.

Question 29

What legislation did the Brady Campaign help pass, and what was its impact?

Answer 29

The Brady Campaign was instrumental in passing the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act in 1994, which introduced federal background checks for gun buyers, although gun deaths and school shootings have increased since its enactment.

Question 30

How does the Second Amendment affect gun rights in the US?

Answer 30

The Second Amendment protects gun rights in the US, making it difficult for Congress to pass legislation that infringes upon these rights.

Question 31

Describe the significance of the Second Amendment as defined by the Supreme Court in District of Columbia v Heller.

Answer 31

The Second Amendment is defined by the Supreme Court as conferring an individual right to bear arms.

Question 32

Explain the role of the NRA in American politics regarding gun rights.

Answer 32

The NRA defends gun rights and has made donations to many members of Congress to influence legislation.

Question 33

How has Congress responded to gun control legislation proposed after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012?

Answer 33

Congress has been unwilling to pass even mild gun control legislation, including proposals made by Obama.

Question 34

Define the Snowdrop Campaign and its origins.

Answer 34

The Snowdrop Campaign was formed in 1996 in response to the shooting at Dunblane Primary School, initiated by local people.

Question 35

What was the outcome of the Snowdrop Campaign in the UK regarding handgun legislation?

Answer 35

The campaign achieved its aim of a total ban on private handguns, which was passed by Blair's government in 1997.

Question 36

Explain the difference in lobbying focus between pressure groups in the US and the UK.

Answer 36

US pressure groups focus on lobbying the legislature due to the separation of powers, while UK pressure groups primarily lobby the executive.

Question 37

Describe the impact of unlimited election spending on US pressure groups.

Answer 37

Unlimited election spending allows US pressure groups to exert more influence on members of the legislature and contributes to the formation of iron triangles.

Question 38

How does the power of the Supreme Court in the US compare to that in the UK regarding pressure groups?

Answer 38

The Supreme Court in the US is more powerful as the Constitution is sovereign, allowing for legal challenges that can lead to significant victories for pressure groups.

Question 39

What are the implications of the weaker trade unions in the US compared to the UK?

Answer 39

Weaker trade unions in the US result in less protection for workers' rights, while UK unions have historically pressured governments and funded Labour governments.

Question 40

Explain the concept of the 'revolving door' in the context of lobbying in both the US and the UK.

Answer 40

The 'revolving door' refers to former legislators, ministers, and government staff monetizing their contacts and experience by working for private lobbying firms in both countries.

Question 41

Describe the influence of lobbying on members of Congress in the US.

Answer 41

Members of Congress are influenced by lobbying as they seek support from pressure groups during election campaigns or fear condemnation for not aligning with them.

Question 42

How do UK electoral finance laws affect lobbying compared to the US?

Answer 42

Tight UK electoral finance laws and a stronger party whip system make MPs less likely to be influenced by lobbying compared to their US counterparts.

Question 43

Describe the influence of political alliances on Labour and Democratic parties.

Answer 43

Unions help fund Labour and Democratic parties and share many of the same objectives, allowing them more influence when these parties are in power.

Question 44

Explain the difference in how unions are treated under Democratic or Labour-led executives compared to Republican or Tory-led executives.

Answer 44

Democratic or Labour-led executives generally allow unions more influence, while Republican or Tory-led executives tend to listen more to big business.

Question 45

How do political groups (PGs) campaigning on social issues receive different receptions based on government type?

Answer 45

PGs campaigning on issues like abortion, gay rights, civil rights, gun rights, and the environment receive varying receptions depending on whether the government is Democratic/Labour or Republican/Tory.

Question 46

Define the role of direct action in political movements.

Answer 46

Direct action is seen as a tactic of last resort that can alienate the government, but it may successfully generate media attention and change public opinion.

Question 47

Explain the impact of the BLM protests in June 2020 in the US and UK.

Answer 47

The BLM protests highlighted systemic racism and inequality, placing these issues on the political agenda in both societies.

Question 48

Describe a situation where insider groups resorted to direct action.

Answer 48

In 2016, the British Medical Association (BMA) called a junior doctors' strike as a form of direct action when they could not convince the government to agree with them.

Question 49

How does the First Amendment affect political groups in the US compared to the UK?

Answer 49

In the US, political groups are protected by the First Amendment and can spend unlimited amounts in elections, while in the UK, charities are not allowed to be political and election funding is highly restricted.

Question 50

Discuss the criticism of elitism in the political cultures of the UK and US.

Answer 50

Both cultures have been criticized for elitism due to the outsized role played by wealthy political groups, which is more pronounced in the US where PGs spend millions in each election cycle.

Question 51

Explain the financial disparity between the Conservative Party and Labour Party in the 2019 UK election.

Answer 51

In the 2019 election, the Conservative Party, traditionally supported by big business, received nearly four times as much money in registered donations as the Labour Party.

Question 52

Describe the tradition of political protest in both the US and UK.

Answer 52

Both cultures share a tradition of political protest that includes marches, demonstrations, and direct action, often used by marginalized groups to win civil rights.

Question 53

Campaigning for or against judicial appointments, such as Brett Kavanaugh, is a significant aspect of US politics. How does this differ in the UK?

Answer 53

In the UK, campaigning for or against judicial appointments is not a common practice, as the appointment process is more formal and less influenced by public opinion.