Pressure Groups

Question 1

Describe the concept of political pluralism in the US.

Answer 1

Political pluralism is a philosophy that emphasizes the benefits of different groups influencing decision-making, allowing the government to consider views from across society, many of which are represented by pressure groups (PGs).

Question 2

Explain the significance of the Great Seal of the US in relation to political pluralism.

Answer 2

The Great Seal of the US, with the motto ‘out of many, one’, illustrates the challenge of forging a united nation and coherent government from a diverse society.

Question 3

How does the First Amendment support the existence of pressure groups in the US?

Answer 3

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of association, which provides pressure groups with the constitutional right to exist and aim to influence those in power rather than seeking to win power themselves.

Question 4

Define insider groups and provide examples.

Answer 4

Insider groups are pressure groups that have close ties to the government or at least one main political party. Examples include the American Medical Association, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the NRA.

Question 5

What role do outsider groups play in the political landscape?

Answer 5

Outsider groups attempt to influence politicians by generating public pressure and are often anti-establishment. An example is Climate Direct Action, which organized valve turner protests in 2016 on 15% of US crude oil imports for nearly a day -> several members convicted/labelled as extremists..

Question 6

Explain the difference between promotional groups and interest groups.

Answer 6

Promotional groups promote particular causes they believe will benefit society and are driven by altruism, while interest groups exist primarily to defend or advance the specific interests of their members.

Question 7

Describe the impact of pressure groups on significant societal developments in the US.

Answer 7

Many significant developments in US society, such as racial desegregation and abortion legislation, would not have occurred without the influence of pressure groups.

Question 8

How do proponents of elitist theory view pressure groups?

Answer 8

Proponents of elitist theory criticize pressure groups for allowing wealthy groups to exert more influence through heavy spending on ads, legal challenges, and lobbying, suggesting that the country is still run by a powerful elite.

Question 9

How do pressure groups like the NRA exemplify elitist theory?

Answer 9

Despite over 60% of the public supporting gun control in 2020, well-funded groups like the NRA have been able to prevent changes that align with majority public support.

Question 10

Identify the characteristics of promotional groups and give examples.

Answer 10

Promotional groups are characterized by their altruistic motives to promote causes they believe will benefit society. Examples include Greenpeace USA, Everytown for Gun Safety, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Question 11

What types of interests do unions like the AFL-CIO represent?

Answer 11

Unions like the AFL-CIO focus on improving the rights, pay, and working conditions of their members.

Question 12

How do business and trade groups function in the context of pressure groups?

Answer 12

Business and trade groups, such as the US Chamber of Commerce, exist to represent the interests of businesses and advocate for policies that benefit their members.

Question 13

Explain the role of religious groups as pressure groups in the US.

Answer 13

Religious groups, such as the Christian Coalition of America, act as pressure groups by advocating for policies and legislation that align with their religious beliefs and values.

Question 14

Describe how large corporations can be viewed as pressure groups.

Answer 14

Large corporations can be viewed as pressure groups if they engage in activities similar to PGs, such as lobbying the government or funding political campaigns.

Question 15

Describe the role of social movements in society.

Answer 15

Social movements are less formalized than pressure groups but play an important role in advocating for social and economic change.

Question 16

Explain the evolution of social movements from the 19th century to the 21st century.

Answer 16

Traditional social movements began in the 19th century, focusing on social and economic change, with significant gains in the 20th century with the women’s and civil rights movements. From the 1960s, new social movements emerged, including environmental and anti-nuclear movements, and in the 21st century, social media has proliferated these movements.

Question 17

How has social media impacted social movements in the 21st century?

Answer 17

Social media has allowed for the rapid mobilization of social movements, enabling activists to organize and recruit large numbers of supporters quickly, often through hashtags.

Question 18

Define the term ‘start-up’ social movements.

Answer 18

‘Start-up’ social movements refer to newly formed movements that can quickly gain traction and influence the political agenda, often facilitated by social media.

Question 19

What are some examples of recent social movements that have gained prominence?

Answer 19

Examples include #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, March For Our Lives, and the youth climate movement.

Question 20

Describe the methods and tactics used by social movements to influence government.

Answer 20

Social movements can target various access points, including state and federal governments, and can focus on different branches of government to advocate for their causes.

Question 21

Explain the role of electoral campaigning in pressure groups.

Answer 21

Pressure groups endorse candidates and encourage members and the public to vote for them, often donating money to political action committees (PACs) to support their chosen candidates; 2018 – League of Conservation Voters spent $85m on electoral campaigning, more than any other single-issue group, able to win House for Dems.

Question 22

What is EMILY’s List and its primary objective?

Answer 22

EMILY’s List aims to elect pro-choice Democratic women by recruiting candidates for office and supporting them throughout the electoral process.

Question 23

How does early funding impact political campaigns according to EMILY’s List?

Answer 23

Campaigns that receive early funding are more likely to grow successfully, as suggested by the acronym ‘Early Money Is Like Yeast’.

Question 24

What significant achievement did EMILY’s List contribute to in the 2018 election cycle?

Answer 24

EMILY’s List spent $37 million in the 2018 election cycle, leading to record numbers of female members of Congress.

Question 25

Describe the purpose of scorecards released by pressure groups.

Answer 25

Scorecards are used to show voters how candidates score on key policies, analyzing voting records and comparing positions with other candidates.

Question 26

What is the significance of the NRA's grading system for candidates?

Answer 26

The NRA allocates grades from A to F based on candidates' voting records on gun rights, influencing voter perceptions and decisions; Bernie Sanders given D-.

Question 27

Explain the 'dirty dozen' list released by the League of Conservation Voters.

Answer 27

The 'dirty dozen' list identifies politicians with the worst environmental records, highlighting those who may be opposed to environmental policies; 5/12 candidates on federal list defeated in 2020.

Question 28

How do pressure groups engage in lobbying?

Answer 28

Pressure groups influence members of the executive or legislature by meeting with them, sharing knowledge, and attempting to persuade them to adopt favorable policies.

Question 29

What constitutional right protects the ability to lobby?

Answer 29

The right to lobby is protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Question 30

Describe the importance of insider contacts for pressure groups.

Answer 30

Insider contacts allow pressure groups to develop relationships with lawmakers and officials, facilitating the introduction or support of legislation that benefits their causes; many PGs have offices in DC, allowing access to federal gov and Congress, as well as in other states.

Question 31

Describe the role of professional lobbyists in influencing government policy.

Answer 31

Professional lobbyists represent interest groups and organizations, using their connections and expertise to influence government policy and legislation. They often work for firms located in the K-Street corridor of Washington, D.C.

Question 32

Explain the significance of the $3.51 billion spent on lobbying in 2010.

Answer 32

2010 marked the highest-value lobbying year on record, with much of the spending coming from healthcare companies aiming to influence the Affordable Care Act (ACA) format.

Question 33

How did investment banks like J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs engage with federal agencies between 2010 and 2012? (insider contacts)

Answer 33

These banks had over 350 meetings with federal agencies to influence the rewriting of banking regulations in response to the financial crisis.

Question 34

Define the term 'revolving door syndrome' in the context of lobbying.

Answer 34

Revolving door syndrome refers to the practice of hiring lobbyists who previously worked in government, allowing firms to leverage their established contacts and insider knowledge; rotation of personnel between gov and firms.

Question 35

What was the purpose of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act 2007?

Answer 35

Aimed to regulate lobbying activities by requiring disclosure of lobbying efforts and imposing restrictions on gifts to members of Congress.

Question 36

Explain the impact of lobbying spending by US corporate groups on subsidies.

Answer 36

A study estimated that lobbying spending by US corporate groups resulted in $90 million in subsidies for businesses, highlighting the financial influence of lobbying.

Question 37

Describe the activities of EMILY’s List.

Answer 37

EMILY’s List aims to elect Democratic pro-choice women to office by recruiting and training candidates, providing campaign contributions, and running programs to mobilize voters.

Question 38

How did the Trump administration's hiring of lobbyists contradict his campaign promises?

Answer 38

Despite his campaign promise to 'drain the swamp' of lobbyists, Trump hired 281 lobbyists to work in his administration after two years in office.

Question 39

What was the outcome of the lobbying efforts by the US Chamber of Commerce regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement?

Answer 39

The US Chamber of Commerce successfully convinced Congress to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement after meeting with 36 members, demonstrating the power of lobbying and that PGs with deep pockets able to buy influence.

Question 40

Discuss the financial success of Ballard Partners after Trump's election.

Answer 40

Ballard Partners gained 100 clients in less than two years after Trump's election, earning more than $28 million, showcasing the lucrative nature of lobbying.

Question 41

What was the focus of the lobbying efforts in 2019 related to trade?

Answer 41

2019 - >$3.47bn spent on federal lobbying; spending generally concentrated on political issues of the day; companies and business interest groups lobbied the government regarding Trump's trade deal with Mexico and Canada, reflecting the importance of trade issues in lobbying.

Question 42

Explain the role of Brian Ballard in Trump's Washington.

Answer 42

Brian Ballard, founder of Ballard Partners, was named the most powerful lobbyist in Trump's Washington and lobbied on behalf of The Trump Organization, raising significant funds for Trump's campaigns.

Question 43

What criticisms have been leveled against the lobbying industry?

Answer 43

The lobbying industry has been criticized for being anti-democratic and elitist, as it often allows wealthy interest groups to exert disproportionate influence over political processes.

Question 44

Describe the role of EMILY's List in the 2022 election cycle.

Answer 44

Helped elect nearly 500 candidates to local, state, federal, and gubernatorial offices during the 2022 election cycle, including Jasmine Crockett.

Question 45

Explain how public interest groups can use legal challenges to effect change.

Answer 45

Public interest groups can target specific areas of law they wish to change and support legal cases that hinge on particular legal points.

Question 46

Define the significance of the Brown v. Topeka case in relation to public interest groups.

Answer 46

The NAACP funded the Brown v. Topeka case in 1954, where the Supreme Court decided that the doctrine of 'separate but equal' was unconstitutional.

Question 47

How did the ACLU contribute to the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States?

Answer 47

The ACLU brought the legal case Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, which resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage across the U.S.

Question 48

Describe the role of Planned Parenthood in legal challenges regarding abortion rights.

Answer 48

Planned Parenthood has brought numerous cases to defend abortion rights, including Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992, where the right to abortion was upheld against Pennsylvania's restrictions.

Question 49

Explain how public interest groups can hold the executive branch accountable.

Answer 49

Public interest groups can challenge the actions of the executive branch in courts, as demonstrated by the ACLU mounting 56 legal challenges against Trump's administration from 2017-2018; also challenged ban on transgender people in the military.

Question 50

What is an amicus curiae brief and its purpose in legal cases?

Answer 50

An amicus curiae brief, or 'friend of the court' brief, is submitted to provide information to court cases with the hope of influencing the outcome, even if the submitter is not directly involved in the case.

Question 51

Discuss the trend in the submission of amicus curiae briefs over the years.

Answer 51

The number of amicus curiae briefs submitted has increased significantly, from an average of one brief in the 1950s to 16 briefs per case in 2019-20.

Question 52

What was the outcome of the American Legion v. American Humanist Association case in 2019?

Answer 52

The Supreme Court ruled that a specific war memorial in the shape of a cross was constitutional, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg quoted from an amicus brief submitted by Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America in her dissent.

Question 53

How can public interest groups give voice to underrepresented sections of society?

Answer 53

Public interest groups can amplify the voices of underrepresented groups, such as Jewish war veterans, who might otherwise be overlooked in legal and political discussions.

Question 54

What challenges do public interest groups face in submitting amicus curiae briefs?

Answer 54

The process of submitting amicus curiae briefs can be expensive, leading to criticism that wealthier public interest groups can utilize this method more effectively.

Question 55

Explain the importance of grassroots campaigning for public interest groups.

Answer 55

Grassroots campaigning is crucial for public interest groups as membership fees provide revenue, and members can mobilize to demonstrate mass support for issues by contacting legislators and organizing petitions.

Question 56

Describe the methods of direct action used by public interest groups.

Answer 56

Direct action refers to methods used by public interest groups that go beyond standard constitutional campaigning, often involving more confrontational or immediate tactics.

Question 57

Describe the civil rights movement's approach to protests in the 1950s and 60s.

Answer 57

The civil rights movement adopted non-violent protest strategies, utilizing methods such as sit-ins and bus boycotts, and organized significant events like the March on Washington in 1963, which attracted 250,000 attendees.

Question 58

Explain the impact of the Vietnam War on protests in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Answer 58

The Vietnam War motivated many anti-war protests, exemplified by the 1967 Pentagon Riot, which saw over 100,000 protesters demonstrating against the war.

Question 59

How did the Occupy Wall Street movement aim to address social issues?

Answer 59

The Occupy Wall Street protests in NYC in 2011 sought to advance social and economic justice, highlighting issues of inequality and corporate influence.

Question 60

Define the MeToo movement's method of activism.

Answer 60

The MeToo movement utilized digital direct action by encouraging individuals to share personal experiences of sexual assault on social media platforms.

Question 61

What were the circumstances surrounding the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020?

Answer 61

The Black Lives Matter protests were sparked by the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, leading to over 4,700 demonstrations across the US by July.

Question 62

Explain the effectiveness of protests in generating public attention.

Answer 62

Protests can generate significant publicity and media attention, but they may also alienate policymakers or segments of the public.

Question 63

Describe the potential consequences of violence during protests.

Answer 63

Leaders of movements may struggle to prevent their causes from being linked to violence, which can alienate public opinion and undermine their objectives; spontaneous outbreaks of violence could have alienated public opinion against BLM; authorities’ response with tear gas and Trump’s threats to send in military made visible many of the same attitudes that BLM condemned as racist; celebrities and public continued to express support.

Question 64

How did the Weathermen organization aim to influence US policy?

Answer 64

The Weathermen organization carried out a bombing campaign starting in 1969, targeting government sites to destroy 'US imperialism' and sought to bring down the government through revolutionary means; deliberately used violence as a method of direct action.

Question 65

What was the objective of the January 6th protests?

Answer 65

The January 6th protests aimed to pressure Congress not to certify the 2020 election results; failed.

Question 66

Define the role of political groups in funding elections.

Answer 66

Political groups spend millions to help elect candidates who share their aims, significantly influencing electoral outcomes.

Question 67

Explain the significance of the NRA in political campaigning.

Answer 67

The NRA, with around 5 million members, is considered one of the most powerful political groups due to its strategy of funding election campaigns, spending $52.5 million on electoral campaigning in 2016; has decreased - in 2024, spent $10m.

Question 68

Describe the NRA's response to high-profile shootings.

Answer 68

The NRA has faced intense criticism following high-profile shootings, such as Sandy Hook, and has issued report cards on politicians, giving Bernie Sanders a D-.

Question 69

How does the NRA focus its funding efforts in Washington?

Answer 69

The NRA concentrates much of its funding on presidential candidates and influential individuals in Congress, with a preference for Senate campaigns over House races; total of 96% of NRA’s 2016 budget spent on six Senate races and presidential campaign.

Question 70

What is the significance of iron triangles in politics?

Answer 70

Iron triangles represent the relationship between interest groups, Congress, and the executive branch.

Question 71

Explain the advantages incumbents have in elections.

Answer 71

Incumbents enjoy advantages such as higher visibility, established records, and existing relationships with constituents, making it challenging for challengers.

Question 72

How do political groups reinforce incumbency?

Answer 72

Political groups often finance incumbents to maintain the status quo, favoring candidates who support the establishment.

Question 73

Describe the relationship between Congress and executive departments.

Answer 73

Congress is responsible for funding executive departments and producing laws that affect policy areas, which incentivizes the government to develop policies that Congress will approve.

Question 74

Explain the influence of Congress on interest groups.

Answer 74

Congress can influence interest groups by passing legislation that affects them and conducting oversight of their activities through congressional committees.

Question 75

How do executive departments exert power over interest groups?

Answer 75

Executive departments create regulations that interest groups must follow, and they can influence Congress by setting the policy agenda and determining how federal bureaucracy implements laws.

Question 76

Define the military-industrial complex.

Answer 76

The military-industrial complex refers to the strong relationship between the Defense Department, congressional armed forces committees, and leading weapons manufacturers, which some argue has led to high defense budgets in the USA.

Question 77

What was the outcome of the attempts to save $2.5 billion from the defense budget in 2012?

Answer 77

Attempts to cancel contracts for a drone program were thwarted by lobbying activities from Northrop Grumman, filled with former congressional staff, which successfully blocked the cancellation by channeling significant donations to members of the House Armed Services committee.

Question 78

Explain the relationship between big pharmaceutical companies and the FDA.

Answer 78

Big pharmaceutical companies maintain strong links with the FDA, the federal agency that regulates pharmaceuticals, and focus their attention on key congressional committees to influence legislation.

Question 79

Describe the significance of PACs in political campaigning.

Answer 79

PACs are used by interest groups and politicians to raise money for political campaigns, allowing them to make hard money donations to individual candidates, limited to $5000 a year.

Question 80

What distinguishes Super PACs from regular PACs?

Answer 80

Super PACs can accept unlimited donations from individuals, groups, and corporations, allowing them to raise and spend more than regular PACs, particularly on independent expenditures.

Question 81

How did the revolving door impact the relationship between the FDA and pharmaceutical companies?

Answer 81

The revolving door allows individuals to move between roles in the FDA and pharmaceutical companies, exemplified by Scott Gottlieb, who worked for the FDA before joining pharmaceutical firms and later became FDA head.

Question 82

Explain the limitations on direct contributions made by PACs.

Answer 82

Direct contributions from PACs to individual candidates are limited to $5000 a year, but they can make unlimited independent expenditures.

Question 83

Discuss the political power of Super PACs based on the 2016 election.

Answer 83

Despite spending $215 million supporting Clinton and $85.5 million on Trump, the donations from Super PACs do not automatically translate into political power.

Question 84

How do interest groups influence Congress and its members?

Answer 84

Interest groups can influence Congress and members of committees by making donations to election campaigns; they may be responsible for a large proportion of employment in certain congressional districts; and they can use their influence over Congress to impact the executive branch.

Question 85

What is the preference of many interest groups regarding political candidates?

Answer 85

Many prefer to finance DC insiders who will maintain the status quo to benefit their organization and favor candidates supportive of the 'establishment', e.g., Hillary Clinton.

Question 86

How do justices consider amicus curiae briefs?

Answer 86

Justices are more likely to consider briefs from groups that align with their own ideological preferences. They are also more likely to be cited by justices if written by legal experts, favoring pressure groups with specialist legal expertise and extensive experience, e.g., ACLU.

Question 87

Provide an example of revolving door syndrome in lobbying.

Answer 87

Eugene Scalia, who became Secretary of Labor in 2019, first worked for G.W. Bush’s administration before lobbying on behalf of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Question 88

What are groups that represent people from the same social group?

Answer 88

Groups that represent people from the same social group include organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which represents black people.

Question 89

Explain the conflict between pressure groups in society.

Answer 89

Ideas in society, represented by pressure groups, often conflict – Americans United for Life (pro-life) opposes Planned Parenthood (pro-choice interest group/healthcare provider). Pluralists believe disagreement is healthy for democracy, leading to proper public debate and more informed decisions; they argue that pressure groups provide broader opportunities for participation than simply joining a political party.