Pressure groups Flashcards
(13 cards)
What are Sectional Interest groups?
Sectional Interest groups - Aka economic interest groups.
These represent a specific section of society such as a trade union or professional association.
Prominent examples include the American Medical Association (AMA) and the United Auto Workers union.
Their chief function is to promote the economic interests of their members.
What are Cause groups?
Cause Groups - These focus on specific issues or causes, often based on ethical or moral beliefs. e.g Greenpeace (environmental issues) and National Rifle Association (gun rights). Cause groups do not have to aim to benefit their members directly, only to promote a cause or value they believe in.
What are insider groups?
Insider Groups - These are organisations or lobby groups that have a close relationship with policy makers. They are often asked to participate in the drafting of legislation, consulted on key issues, or included in advisory panels.
E.g the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
What are outsider groups?
Outsider Groups - These are groups that have no special relationship with the government and seek to influence policy from outside the formal channels of power. They often rely on public campaigning, demonstrations, media campaigns and public advocacy to achieve their aims. E.g The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
What are Think Tanks?
Think Tanks - These are research-driven organisations that seek to influence public policy based on their own research and analysis.
They can conduct influential studies on a myriad of issues and aim to have their findings shape public policy. E.g the Brookings Institution and the Heritage Foundation.
What are PACs?
Political Action Committees (PACs):
These are organisations that raise and donate money to candidate campaigns, intending to influence elections and, consequently, policy.
PACs are categorised under U.S. federal law, which imposes limits on their contributions and expenditures.
Many corporations, labour unions, and issue-based organisations maintain PACs.
What are Super PACs?
Super PACs: Super PACs also aim to influence elections but are not subject to the same restrictions as traditional PACs. They can raise and spend unlimited amounts from corporations, individuals, and labour unions, but cannot directly contribute to or coordinate with individual candidates or parties. Their influence in U.S. politics has grown significantly since their creation following court rulings in 2010.
What are the differences between the interest groups and political parties?
Interest Groups vs. Political Parties:
While both aim to affect policy, they vary in their methods and goals.
Interest groups work to influence policy by lobbying government officials, while political parties aim to gain control of government to implement their own policy agendas.
Political parties must appeal to a broad array of issues to gain majority support, while interest groups can focus on specific issues or interests.
What factors affect PG’s influence?
. Resources and funding: Groups with substantial resources can exert more influence, often through campaign contributions or high-profile lobbying efforts.
. Membership size: Large membership bases can help to amplify a group’s voice, especially if members are actively engaged.
. Political alignment: Pressure groups whose goals align with the political agenda of those in power may have greater influence.
What methods of influence do PGs use?
Pressure groups use a variety of tactics, including lobbying politicians, conducting public awareness campaigns, publishing research and reports, and mobilising members for protests or demonstrations.
They may also engage in litigation, using the court system to challenge laws or regulations that conflict with their interests.
What are some examples of influential pressure groups?
National Rifle Association (NRA): Despite controversy and public opinion leaning towards gun control, the NRA has successfully opposed most gun control legislation.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): This group has played a significant role in framing the debate and influencing policy on social security and healthcare.
Sierra Club and Greenpeace: Both have had notable influence on environmental policies though lobbying, litigation, and public awareness campaigns.
How are PGs criticised?
Critics argue that pressure groups can distort democracy by exerting disproportionate influence, often favouring corporate or elite interests. For example, the gun lobby in the United States has been able to preserve controversial gun rights despite public opinion and high-profile incidents of gun violence.There is ongoing debate over the transparency and accountability of pressure groups, particularly in relation to campaign financing.
The role of pressure groups in pushing for legislative gridlock or policy extremes is also a common area of criticism.
How do PGs influence US politics?
Pressure groups can contribute to a pluralist democracy by representing diverse interests and viewpoints, potentially giving ordinary citizens a greater voice in politics.
However, they can also exacerbate political inequality if they disproportionately represent the interests of the wealthy or powerful.
They can play a significant role in election campaigns, through funding, endorsements or mobilising voters.
