Pressure Groups Flashcards
(30 cards)
Define pressure groups
A group, which provides participation for the populace between elections
Define sectional group
A group which protects the interests of its constituents.
Define cause/single issue group
A group that campaigns on a single issue or set of issues.
Examples of sectional groups
American Medical Association
American Bar Association
Trade unions
Examples of cause groups
National Rifle Association
Americans for Responsible Solutions
National Abortion Rights Action League
Examples of groups that are both cause and sectional groups
NAACP
National Organisation for Women
Define Political Action Committees
Fundraising arm of pressure groups and parties, which have the aim to raise electoral finance to support or oppose candidates at elections, both presidential and congressional.
What gave PACs more power?
Citizens United vs FEC
Feingold-McCain Act
Alternatives to PACs
527s- tax exempt organisations
Individual based raising of funds- John Ansderson and Bernie Sanders
Is there a correlation between money spent on a Congressman and how he votes?
No
Is negative campaigning good?
No, turns off voters
Define lobbying
Lobbying is an attempt to influence a policy-making, legislative or judicial process
Define iron triangles
Term used to describe the relationship between the legislative branch, bureaucracy and interest groups. Is considered to be a ‘symbiotic relationship’ where all three work together to further each other’s needs.
Examples of iron triangles
Military Industrial Complex
Agricultural Industry Complex
Explain pluralism in the USA
Where there are multiple access points
The ability to petition all levels of govt
Tradition of open government
All groups are equal
Explain elitism in the USA
Where only certain privileged groups have the ability to apply pressure to the government
Key pluralist theorist
Dahl
Dahlist theoretical utopia
Effective participation Voting equality Enlightened understanding Control of agenda Inclusiveness
2015 Open Secrets number of staffers going to lobbying firms
7,505
Chief Staffer to Paul Ryan
David Hoppe- was a lobbyist
Percentage of Americans with pressure group connections
80%
How does funding affect success?
Needs funds to campaign effectively- flyers, banners and other paraphernalia, so they can spread their message
Membership of NRA
5 million
Membership of ARS
670,000
