Comparing Pressure Groups (US) Flashcards
(24 cards)
Examples of similar interest groups in the UK and the USA:
The US Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of British industry.
The AFL-CIO and the TUC
Similar promotional groups in the US:
- American Civil Liberties and Liberty (UK)
In which country do pressure groups have more access points?
In the US:
Federal system creates more access points.
More frequent elections.
More direct democracy. ( More ballot initiatives in the US, referendums happen less frequently in the UK).
Why do pressure groups in the US have greater influence in elections than UK pressure groups?
US pressure groups can spend an unlimited amount on election campaigns.
What is the maximum amount of money a pressure group can spend on a general election in the UK?
£319,000.
How much money did Super PACs spend on the 2020 election?
$1.8 billion.
How much did pressure groups in the UK spend on the 2017 election?
£2.5 million.
How many professional lobbyists are there in the US?
110000
How many registered lobbying firms and individuals are there in the UK?
140
What was the UK lobbying industry worth in the UK in 2017?
£2 billion.
What was the US lobbying industry worth in the US in 2019?
$3.47 billion.
What rules have been put in place to slow the revolving door of lobbying in the UK and the US?
- In the UK minister can’t lobby for 2 years after leaving government.
- Trump in 2017 placed a 5 year ban on former gov officials lobbying government.
Why can pressure groups in the US have a greater impact on legal challenged than in the UK?
Judicial review in the UK is limited to government, not act as of parliament.
- US PGs can submit Amicus Curia briefs to the courts - effective way to change legislation.
Example of Pressure Groups influencing the judicial process in the UK:
Public Law Project v Lord Chancellor (2016)
The public law project successfully challenged a government imposition of a residence test for legal aid.
How much is the average cost of winning a House Seat?
$1.5 million
Legislatures have a strong incentive to keep financial backers happy.
What type of pressure groups has close links to political parties in the US?
Promotional groups e.g Gun Rights.
UK promotional groups are often charities and can’t endorse a party.
What percentage of donations to the Labour Party for the 2019 election came from Trade Unions?
93%
Why is it easier to lobby in the US?
Weaker party discipline and more access points.
Which PG supported Brett Kavanaugh in 2018?
The US Chamber of Commerce.
What is the Brady Campaign?
Supports gun control legislation.
Convinced congress to pass the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act 1994.
Why is the US unable to achieve substantial gun control?
- Gun rights protected in the 2nd Amendment - SCOTUS defined it as an individual right in District of Columbia v Heller (2008).
What is the Snowdrop Campaign?
- Founded in 1996 after a massacre in a primary school in Scotland.
- Their petition for the ban of hand guns sighed by 700,000.
- John Majors Government responded by introducing a ban on handguns.
Argument that US pressure groups have more influence:
- More access point and regular elections.
- Separation of powers.
- Weak party discipline.
- Unlimited spending on electoral campaigns.
- Iron triangles.
- PGs can use legal challenges to achieve landmark rulings.
- Amicus Curiea briefs.
Argument that UK pressure groups have more influence:
- Lack of entrenched constitutional rights means that PGs can convince government to make sweeping changes to the law.
- Tight electoral finance laws means poorly funded groups are at less of a disadvantage.
- The professional lobbying industry is growing.
- The revolving door also exists in the UK - Penny Mordant and British and American Tobacco.
