Unit 7 - Pressure Groups

Question 1

What is a pressure group?

Answer 1

A collection of people with similar interests and policy aims to influence the government and other people think about an issue to achieve their aims

Question 2

How are pressure groups able to exist?

Answer 2

1. Multiple access points
2. Culture
3. Constitutional rights
4. Campaign finance
5. Direct democracy

Question 3

How do multiple access points, culture and constitutional rights enable pressure groups to exist?

Answer 3

-Multiple access points - can target many different areas of government due to separation of powers

-Culture - culture of pressure gorups more than in the UK - they drove the campaign for civil rigths or obergefell v hodges

-Constitutional rights - they are protected for freedoms of speech, freedom of assembly (right to gather), petition government to redress grievances (if youre unhappy, you have a right to try get the gov to change that) - protected in first amendment - federalism may impact this, they don’t have to be listened to, the nature of them has changed as a result of new technology being developed

Question 4

How do campaign finance and direct democracy enable pressure groups to exist?

Answer 4

-Campaign finance - they can donate to PACs etc. but aren’t always effective and there are restrictions on them

-Direct democracy - power directly held by the poeple - pressure groups have a greater control over direct democracy as they can pressurise ordinary people which is easier than the gov can lead to tyranny of the majority

Question 5

What are insider pressure groups?

Answer 5

-close ties to parties, or the govenrment e.g. the NRA strong ties to the republicans
-they are thus well funded as they have close ties as they are better able to make an influence
-they spend heavily in elecitons through PACs or super PACs
-they are typically run by those with professional experience in what they promote

Question 6

What are outsider pressure groups?

Answer 6

-pressure the public not the gov through direct action (raising awareness through rallies, protests etc.), protest, demonstrations etc.
-ordinary people make change
-they are often anti establishment and anti government as they try to force the gov to do what they want not work with them

Question 7

What are promotional/cause pressure groups?

Answer 7

-they fight for a particular cause
-they focus on issues that will benefit all of society in their opinion, so are therefore altruistic not selfish as they want everyone to have a better life

Question 8

What are interest pressure groups?

Answer 8

-what they want will only benefit those who are members of the groups not society as a whole
-the opposite of cause groups
-large corporations are thus often referred to as interest groups such as businesses

Question 9

What examples of pressure groups are there? What type of pressure group are they?

Answer 9

-madd - mothers against drink driving - outsider promotional pressure group
-National association of manufactures - outsider interest pressure group
-National rifle association of America - insider interest pressure group
-NORPAC - promoting US-Israel relations - insider promotional pressure group
-AMA - American medical association - insider interest pressure group

Question 10

How are social movements different from pressure groups? Examples?

Answer 10

They are less formalised (no leader, no person in control of finances, they are not a corporation, have no coherent strategy) but still play an important role

Examples: me too movement, BLM (argued to be a social movement at first but has now become a formal pressure group), occupy Wall Street, march for our lives

Question 11

Why and when did social movements come about? Why have they increased in popularity?

Answer 11

-they began in the nineteenth century
-‘New social movements’ developed from the 1960s and the civil rights movement
-Social media has allowed social movements to proliferate leading to ‘start-up’ social movements which has increased their popularity and may later evolve into pressure groups

Question 12

What are the functions of pressure groups?

Answer 12

-Representation - represent beliefs of their members
-Citizen Participation
-Public Education - raise awareness of issues
-Agenda building - find other pressure groups who have similar ideas and they work together to lobby the government
-Programme monitoring - hold gov to account - ACL targeted trumps Muslim country travel ban pressured a lot

Question 13

What a re the 4 methods that pressure groups used to apply pressure on officials or the public?

Answer 13

1. Electioneering and endorsement
2. The courts
3. Lobbying
4. Gras roots and direct action

Question 14

How is electioneering and endorsement a method of pressure groups?

Answer 14

-Making campaign donations and releasing voting ‘scorecards’
-Pressure groups may also endorse a candidate and encourage their members and the public to vote for them as well as endorsing candidates
-A pressure groups with sufficient funds can donate money to political campaigning

Question 15

What are successes and failures of electioneering and endorsement as a method of pressure groups?

Answer 15

-The US chamber of commerce releases a ‘now they voted’ scorecard for each chamber of congress to allow voters to easily analyse candidates’ record In advancing pro business policies
-In 2018 the league of conservation voters (environmental pressure group) spent $85 million of electoral campaigning and it was able to achieve its aim of winning the house back for the democrats
-EMILYS list helped the election of many congresswomen in 2018

-Limited to the amount of the finance that can be raised due to law
-Emilys list didnt get Clinton elected in 2016

Question 16

How are the courts a method of pressure groups?

Answer 16

Used to achieve their aim via the courts because SCOTUS has the power to interpret the constitution, and check the power of the executive

Question 17

What are successes and failures of the courts as a method of pressure groups?

Answer 17

-The NAACP funded Brown v Topeka (1954) - SCOTUS rules the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ was unconstitutional
-The ACLU bought the legal case Obergefell v Hodges - SCOTUS ruled the legalisation of same-sex marriages across the USA
-ACL mounted 56 legal challenges against Trump’s administration trom 2017 - 2018

-Amicus cariae briefs (impartial advice to a court) can be seen as elitist as mostly wealthy groups are able to use this method as they have more funding to hire lawyers
-Although power may use crowd funding
2018 - SCOTUS rejected a brief by the US Alcohol Policy Alliance as some crowdfunding donors were anonymous

Question 18

How Is lobbying a method of pressure groups?

Answer 18

-Process by which pressure groups attempt to influence members of the executive or legislature by meeting with them
-They share detailed up to date knowledge of their policy area and therefore are a useful source of information for politicians and government officials and will use this to attempt to convince the executive and legislature to adopt positions that favour them
-The right to lobby is protected in the constitution under the first amendment ‘petition the government for a redress of grievances’

Question 19

What are successes of lobbying as a method of pressure groups?

Answer 19

-offices in Washington DC that allow easy access to government to develop key relationships
-investment banks JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs had over 350 meetings with federal agencies 2010-2012 following the financial crisis
-‘K Street’ - professional lobbying firms who spent over 3.5bil in 2019 on federal lobbying
-2010 holds the highest value lobbying year, with much spent to influence the ACA
-Lobbying firms hire ex government officials, which allows for immediate contacts
-politicians may become lobbyists and may then return to politics - ‘revolving door syndrome’ e.g. lawyer Eugene Scalia who first worked in George W Bush’s administration before lobbying on behalf on the US chamber of Commercee

Question 20

What are failures of lobbying as a method of pressure groups?

Answer 20

-The lobbying industry is often criticised by progressives for being elitist and anti democratic
-Congress has tried to regulate lobbying through legislation such as the Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995 and Open Government Act 2007 meaning now lobbying must be disclosed and there are tight restrictions on gifts from lobbyists to members of congress
-US chamber of Commerce - responsible for sales and trade generally spends more on lobbying that any other organisations

Question 21

How are grass roots and direct action a method of pressure groups?

Answer 21

-The grassroots for pressure groups is their members - they contact members of Congress or local government by writing emails or connecting etc., members can also organise petitions or share media on social media to bring in more members
-Direct action is used by a pressure group that extents beyond constitutional methods of protest as they force concessions not to persuade

Question 22

What are successes of grass roots and direct action as a method of pressure groups?

Answer 22

-Encompasses a whole host of methods of protest some peaceful some less so - allows to bring in new members

-Civil rights movement used non violent protest adopted by Ghandhi through sit ins or bus boycotts or attending 1963 March on Washington with 250,000 people or even the 21st century BLM and me too movement held protests too
-Generates media attention and publicity
-Celebrities supported
-Generated debate around the pulling down of confederate statues
-It may put pressure on executive e.g. SDS carried out bombing camapgin 1969

Question 23

What are failures of grass roots and direct action as a method of pressure groups?

Answer 23

-Extreme activities known as direct action may not be supported by officials

-Can alienate policy makers or the public especially in violent direct action
-Mass mobilisations can spiral out of control e.g. 2013 BLM started to organise protests agaisnt system racism and killing blacks people but this was intensified after 2020 after George Floyd - looting, arson etc. - could have alienated public opinion and authorities responded with tear gas and curfews - trump opposed the protests and tweeted agaisnt them to get the military to prevent them

Question 24

How are election funding and pressure groups linked? What are the impacts of pressure group funding?

Answer 24

-Pressure groups spend money on electoral finance (funding election campaigns) - individual donations are capped, independent expenditures are not

There are three impacts of pressure group funding:
-Funding of Washington insiders
-Reinforcing incumbency - if there are people who support the pressure groups cause, they will want to keep them in as they know that they’re on the groups side
-Iron triangles

Question 25

How is funding of Washington insiders an impact of pressure groups?

Answer 25

-Election years see heavy spending on presidential candidates and influential individuals within Congress -Senate campaigns receive more funding than House campaigns ($1,547 million v $702 million in 2020) - because they’re likelihood to get into positions of power and also because there is 6 year terms not 2 year -Makes it difficult for outsider politicians to break through and favours pro- business and pro-establishment candidates -HOWEVER, Hilary Clinton lost to Trump despite receiving more funding from pressure groups in 2016 - doesnt always work and have an impact

Question 26

What are the iron triangles? What are the 3 points on the triangles?

Answer 26

2 triangles that display how pressure groups impact policy and the impact the branches of government have on them Pressure groups, Congress, Executive branch

Question 27

What are the 2 impacts pressure groups have in the Iron Triangles?

Answer 27

Triangle 1 - impact on congress: Pressure groups will donate to election campaigns which means that they are therefore responsible for getting individuals elected and also increasing employment in the campaigns Triangle 2 - impact on the executive: The support that the pressure group has in congress allows it to influence the passage of government bills

Question 28

What are the 2 impacts Congress has in the Iron Triangles?

Answer 28

Triangle 1 - impact on executive: Funds gov departments and passes legislation which puts pressure on executive Triangle 2 - impact on pressure group: Plays a role in legislation and oversight on behalf of the pressure group, helping to scrutinise the executive based on the issue that the press group focuses on

Question 29

What are the 2 impacts the executive has in the Iron Triangles?

Answer 29

Triangle 1 - impact on pressure group: Sets regulations and taxes which limits pressure groups as it means they dont want to anger the executive Triangle 2 - impact on congress: Sets policy agenda and decides how the laws introduced by congress are implemented into society - establishes policy in favour of congress and thus the pressure groups

Question 30

What is an example of the iron triangle in use? Explain how it links to iron triangles?

Answer 30

Military industrial complex Pressure gorups who are military contractors pressure the Congress to have people in who will fund proxy wars and support them, which mans that bills are passed to give money to these contractors even though it takes money from elsewhere as said by Eisenhower. This then means the department of defense in the executive continues the boom of the industry.

Question 31

Example of revolving door syndrome?

Answer 31

Patrick Shanahan served as trumps deputy defense secretary He used to be Boeings (pressure group on technology and aircraft’s) senior vice president and once in government, he made influenced spending that directly influenced and benefitted Boeing including 20 contract $13.7 billion

Question 32

Positives and negatives of iron triangles?

Answer 32

-keeps businesses booming and ensures that certain industries have the support they need from the government -there can be insiders that help them -it could allow for more informed policy making -doesnt allow for change within certain industries, might not always work e.g. funding didnt help Clinton -wealthy groups can buy political influence prevent change by reinforcing incumbency

Question 33

What are reasons that parties are more powerful than pressure groups?

Answer 33

-Formulate policy for all areas of government not special interests -Select and support candidates for legislature and executive -Wield legislative power in congress -Determine federal gov policy when they hold presidency -Most people align with a party but not all with a pressure group -Increase in congress votes along party lines over the last 15yrs from 45% to 80%

Question 34

What are reasons that pressure groups are more powerful than parties?

Answer 34

-They help determine the policy of parties -Parties offer little incentives to vote on party lines -Iron triangles allow for influence over executive and congress -Donations and lobbying influence congress members -Corporations provide essential jobs -Revolving door syndrome is an effect of pressure groups -The fact they focus on a specific area could give them more power as they are not split by factions

Question 35

Why did evangelical Christian groups face something of a dilemma at the 2024 election?

Answer 35

-Family research council advocated on a number of socially conservative and biblical issues e.g. abortion or defending religious freedom or allowing private Christian schools to be funded by the public but trump was a felon with bad attitudes towards women -He also didnt support the federal abortion ban even though he helped overturn roe as he believed that states should have the choice -America is also becoming less religious

Question 36

Why was the NRA much weaker going into the 2024 election?

Answer 36

-Mass shootings in schools and places of worship has meant Americans want more gun control from those with a mental illness and Harris supported this with moderate gun control measures -CEO of NRA (LaPierre) found guilty of misspending over $11 million from NRA on private lights and holidays -it also had a $36 million deficit in 2018 and filed for bankruptcy in 2021

Question 37

Why did Teamsters not back either main candidate in 2024?

Answer 37

-They are prominent with over 1 million members but the leader O’Brien spoke at both of the naitonal conventions with the first time the president spoke at the rep event -It refused to endorse main candidates because some independent suggested that a majority of voting members selected trump to be endorsed over Harris but local polls showed support for Biden so there was conflict there - membership was divided

Question 38

Who was the largest single donor in the 2024 campaign?

Answer 38

-Elon Musk who spent $277 million to the reps including $243 million to his own Great America PAC even though Emily’s list had raised and spent $57 million

Question 39

What is the evidence that interest groups are perhaps losing ground in terms of overall political influence?

Answer 39

-Megadonors meant that Biden pulled out of the race, not the pressure groups - billionaires are replacing pressure gorups in terms of funding due to outspending and thus ability to influence elecitons

Question 40

What are some frequently used tactics during elections?

Answer 40

-Scorecards or voting guides for supporters that ranks candidate on a scale of A to F e.g. NRA does this -Endorses candidates based on voting record -Donate money to candidates or super PACs but some have their own PACs from which they donate -Running issue based ads to support candidate or attack open net - they focus on support for groups stance e.g. NRA ad focused on if they are a friend of second amendment

Question 41

Reasons why pressure groups are too powerful?

Answer 41

-Can be insider groups which have connections within publicly elected offices and have higher funds -Part of the US political culture more so than in the UK -Can lead to tyranny of majority -Agenda building can lead to a stronger force -Can influence the SCOTUS which may be argued to have increased politicisation -Can influence the outcome of elections with high levels of funding -Some pressure gorups that are wealthy can use amicus cariae briefs -May generate a lot of media attention, publicity and celebrity support which increases their public standing and thus ability to pressurise the gov -Mass mobilisations can spiral out of control -Can influence outcome of elections -Iron Triangles mean that there may be little change within the government and may also determine the ability of business or industries to survive -Can reinforce incumbency -Revolving Door Syndrome gives too much influencers -Elitist -Legislators afraid of upsetting pressure groups e.g. Republican and NRA -Undermine parties -Super PACs increase the role of pressure groups electoral financing -Direct action can be violent

Question 42

Reasons why pressure groups are not too powerful?

Answer 42

-Outsider groups are typically ignored by government due to violence or have less power in general - can alienate policy makers but also can lead to long term change -Social movements have began to replace them -They ultimately exist due to their first amendment rigths -Represented issues that may be slightly ignored by elected officials -Programme monitoring - scrutinise the gov which is within their right to do so -Clinton raised more funding by pressure groups but lost - doesnt guarantee a win -Endorsing candidates doesnt mean that they will win e.g. Clinton and Emily’s list -Less wealthy groups have much less of an influence -Lobbying is regulated e.h. 2007 honest leadership and open government act -Reflect diversity of beliefs in America - right amount of powerful -Provide advice to legislators and bureaucracy’s -Political parties already have splits so the issue is parties not pressure groups -Increase scrutiny of congress -Social movements are cheap and effective to wealthier and elite groups -Access doesn’t guarantee influence -Legislators accountable to voters -Protect rigths by pressuring creation of laws and amendments and legal challenges -Electoral financing is form of free speech -Educate voters -Outspent by billionaires -Internal divisions

Question 43

Reasons why pressure groups enhance democracy?

Answer 43

-Can raise awareness of certain issues and identify faults of certain candidates - can increase quality of representatives -Have a greater control over direct democracy -Can enable better campaigns through funding for those from minority backgrounds and represent minority issues -Increase participation and representation in politics beyond traditional methods -Agenda building leads to a greater ability to check government power and held them to account using amicus curiae for example -Promotes pluralism and a pluralist democracy -Have access points for pressure groups and constituonal rights means that democracy is enhanced -Results in active participation which counters high levels of absenteeism e.g. naac -Additional check and balance e.g. league of conservation voters

Question 44

Reasons why pressure groups do not enhance democracy?

Answer 44

-May unfairly sway election results due to funding -Can lead to tyranny of majority -Endorsing a candidate may not necessarily mean that that candidate is a good one, but they endorse them due to their support for the cause of the pressure group -Lobbying seen as elitist as better funding means better ability to apply pressure due to an inequality of resources -Accused by progressives for being anti democratic especially lobbying -Revolving door syndrome can create an political elected -Iron triangles are not transparent -Pressure groups themselves are not democratic -May lead to gridlock -Their influence doesnt always imapct the outcome of elections -Fail to operate within laws passed through politicians -Promotes minority interests which goes agaisnt majoritarian -High levels of representation due to separation and number of elecitons - not necessairly needed -Elitist e.g. Koch industries -Some use violent methods e.g. environmental liberation front -Prevent officials from making decisions based on the will of the public e.g. gun control

Question 45

In what 2 ways can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared?

Answer 45

1. Influence 2. Methods

Question 46

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on influence?

Answer 46

1. Access points 2. Involvement in elections 3. Lobbying 4. Impact of legal challenges

Question 47

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on access points?

Answer 47

US -more elecitons for pressure groups to campaign in -direct democracy provides more access points for pressure groups - pressure groups can campaign to get their priorities included as an initiative on the ballot, or on either side of the argument in the initiative or referendum vote UK -general election -elections to the devolved assemblies and local elections -UK referendums are held much less often, and on constitutional issues that tend to apply to a narrower range of pressure groups

Question 48

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on involvement in elections?

Answer 48

US -have the right to spend unlimited amounts of money on electioneering -donate millions via PACs and Super PACs in each election cycle - large sums spent on TV ads UK -there are tight restrictions on campaign finance in the UK -many pressure groups are registered charities, which must be independent of party politics so cannot make political donations or endorse political candidates -Trade unions must have permission from members to operate their political funds

Question 49

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on lobbying?

Answer 49

US -11,000 profesional lobbyists -opensecrets.org put the value of the US lobbying industry at $3.47 billion in 2019 -in 2017 Donald Trump placed a 5-year ban on former officials lobbying the government - revolving door -there are loopholes UK -140 registered firms and individuals -the UK lobbying industry was worth £2 billion a year in 2017 -ministers’ former staff may also use their contacts and expertise to work as lobbyists, several ‘cash for access’ scam does in which former ministers were caught boasting of their ability to influence government on behalf of private clients

Question 50

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on impact of legal challenges?

Answer 50

US -Supreme Court can rule that Acts of Congress are unconstitutional -The potential for landmark rulings to fundamentally change the law means that US pressure groups spend a great deal of time and money on legal challenges and preparing amicus curiae briefs UK -Judicial review is a more limited power in the UK as it only applies to government and not to Acts of Parliament -Pressure groups in the UK have also successfully challenged the government in court on many occasions -For example, The Public Law Project, a UK legal charity, successfully challenged the government's imposition of a residence test for legal aid (state help with legal costs) in R (on the application of The Public Law Project) v Lord Chancellor (2016)

Question 51

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on methods?

Answer 51

1. Electoral campaigning 2. Links to political parties 3. Trade Union activity 4. Lobbying 5. Use of the courts 6. Campaigning for or against judicial appointments 7. Grassroots camapgin and direct action

Question 52

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on electoral campaigning?

Answer 52

US -Spend unlimited amount on electioneering -50% of the time of congresspeople is spent fundraising and the 2016 average cost of winning a house seat was 1.5 million and 19 million for senate - try to keep investors happy -Rely on TV advertising to influence public - more leverage over legislators who are accountable to their voters UK -Electoral spending is heavily restricted -Political television advertising is banned in the UK - but both use social media advertising

Question 53

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on links to political parties?

Answer 53

US -Promotional groups link with parties in the US -Pro guns and pro life support republicans and gun control and pro choice support democrats -Democrats also receive large support from democrats -Donations from big businesses UK -Promotional groups are often charities and therefore not allowed to endorse political candidates -Big businesses support conservatives and reps traditionally -New Labour also had some big donors because of centrist policies

Question 54

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on trade union activity?

Answer 54

US -Democrats supported by trade unions but still get majority from wealthy people -10% of employees in the US are union members -Both countries have had a decrease in power of unions as 50% fewer union members than in the 70s - cant exert as much pressure -2018 - 2.8 million working days lost due to strikes UK -Labour supported by trade unions and they have a greater influence on them than they have over democrats due to being founded by unions -Unions play a key role in financing e.g. 93% of donations to labour in 2019 general eleciton came from unions -Unions have more of an influence on gov in the Uk - 23% of UK employees are union members -2018 - 273,000 working days lost due to strikes - but decreasing by it becoming an area of unelectability

Question 55

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on lobbying?

Answer 55

US -Weaker party discipline and separation of powers mean that lobbying legislators has a greater impact UK -Strong party discipline in UK is stronger so lobbying focuses on gov not MPs

Question 56

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on their use of courts?

Answer 56

US -Legal action used more by US pressure groups due to Supreme Court having a greater power than in the UK -US pressure groups won landmark rulings e.g. desegregation like brown v board and roe v wade and obergefell v hodges -In both countries, they have used courts to defend rights e.g. US Alliance defending freedom represented jack phillips in masterpiece cakeshop Ltd v Colorado civil rights commission in 2018 which protected right to not make cakes promoting same sex marriage UK -In both countries, they have used courts to defend rights e.g. Privacy International v Investigatory Powers Tribunal - UKSC ruled in favour of the tribunal being subject to judicial review, allowing citizens to have greater rights over challenging bulk surveillance, and it increased oversight over intelligence agencies

Question 57

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on their use of courts?

Answer 57

US -Legal action used more by US pressure groups due to Supreme Court having a greater power than in the UK US pressure groups won landmark rulings e.g. desegregation like brown v board and roe v wade and obergefell v hodges -In both countries, they have used courts to defend rights e.g. US Alliance defending freedom represented jack phillips in masterpiece cakeshop Ltd v Colorado civil rights commission in 2018 which protected right to not make cakes promoting same sex marriage UK -In both countries, they have used courts to defend rights e.g. Privacy International v Investigatory Powers Tribunal - UKSC ruled in favour of the tribunal being subject to judicial review, allowing citizens to have greater rights over challenging bulk surveillance, and it increased oversight over intelligence agencies

Question 58

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on campaigning for or against judicial appointments?

Answer 58

US -Widely used in the US especially for appointment to the SCOTUS e.g. pro business groups like the US chamber of commerce and Americans for prosperity backed kavanaugh in 2018 and were opposed by liberals UK -Pressure groups don’t campaign for or against judicial appointments as they are made by an independent selection committee and aren’t politicised

Question 59

How can US pressure groups and UK pressure groups be compared based on grassroots campaign and direct action?

Answer 59

US -Pressure groups in both coutnries use grassroots campaigns (to pressure elected representatives and raise revenue through membership donations) and direct action (done by outsiders that need media attention and public support for objectives) UK -Pressure groups in both coutnries use grassroots campaigns (to pressure elected representatives and raise revenue through membership donations) and direct action (done by outsiders that need media attention and public support for objectives)

Question 60

What is gun control like in the UK?

Answer 60

-UK has some of strictest laws in the world, only in NI can you own for self defence -US has most guns in the wold - over 300 million -129 mass shooting have taken place in comparison to 4 in the UK -1980 - 516 US school shooting but 1 in the UK -Firearms act 1988 - outlawed everything -Hungerford massacre and dunblane massacre led to tighter control

Question 61

What does the Brady campaign campaign for?

Answer 61

-nonprofit organisation that advocates for gun control and against gun violence & Free America from Gun Violence control

Question 62

What are the achievements and failures of the Brady campaign?

Answer 62

-Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Bill) 1993 - required background checks for handgun purchases so those prohibited from owning firearms like criminals can’t get them -Bipartisan Safer Communities Act 2022 - passed due to mass shootings it broadened background check requirements to include younger buyers and clandestine the types of sales to subject to background checks -has tried to ban or regulate untraceable “ghost guns” which are often used in crimes, Team ENOUGH helps mobilise young activists to advocate for gun safety -less homicides and less school shootings -gun violence still persists -there are loopholes in background checks -no strong leadership in movement -weak state-level impact -messaging is weak and there are some problems -legal defeats -ultimately gun control still isn’t strong especially shown through trumps election who is extremely pro gun and endorsed by NRA

Question 63

What are the case studies of pressure groups in US and UK on gun control?

Answer 63

1. Brady campaign - US 2. Snowdrop campaign - UK

Question 64

What does the snowdrop campaign campaign for?

Answer 64

-A ban on private gun ownership, not a total ban but rather than guns for recreational use be helped securely at authorised clubs and all private ownership of handguns be banned, gaining 750,000 signatures and was run by families and friends of victims of the Dunblane Primary School Shooting in Scotland in 1996 where 18 were killed and 17 injured

Question 65

What were the achievements and failures of the snow drop campaign?

Answer 65

-Got support from the Labour Party -forced the conservative government to pass the firearms (amendment) act 1997 that prohibited all handguns above 0.22 calibre as there was a general eleciton looming -helped pressure for an Inquiry into Dunblane by Lord Cullen -the government legislated beyond the recommendations of the Cullen report -helped acquire media and coverage -the campaign itself wanted a ban on all private handguns not just those of 0.22 calibre or above like the Cullen report recommended -there were some internal divisions over how long it should continue as a pressure group -some critics said that the camapgins emotional approach was not conducive to rational debate on gun

Question 66

Reasons why US pressure groups have a greater influence?

Answer 66

-More access points - due to SOP and number of elections -Greater opportunity for funding and fewer restrictions -Revolving door - movement between mainstream politics and pressure groups -Iron triangles are stronger -Some are closely aligned with parties e.g. NRA -More influence on judicial appointments -Can influence courts better as a result of the SCOTUS ruling on key political debates and legislating from the bench and make informal amendments -Easier legal challenges -Amicus curiae briefs - letter to SCOTUS to help them make diecisions on rulings -K Street lobbyists -Less party discipline

Question 67

Reasons why UK pressure groups have a greater influence?

Answer 67

-Trade unions more powerful due to Labour Party which has trade union roots -Less opportunity for gridlock means that you can get more done through quicker legislative process so as long as you convince the majority gov, things can be achieved quicker -Influence parl to make changes - more central compared to the US where pressure groups are more state based -Poor funded groups are at less of a disadvantage compared to US where there is high funding -Professional lobbying industry is growing -Revolving door syndrome -Cash for access - dinners are hosted where high profile figures meet and are used to fund pressure groups

Question 68

How can structural theory explain similarities and differences?

Answer 68

1. More access points in US 2. Separation of powers in the USA allows Congress to act more independently of government than UK Parliament can 3. Unlimited US election spending versus restrictive UK campaign finance and advertising laws 4. More powerful Supreme Court in the USA as the Constitution is sovereign 5. Weaker trade unions in the USA, stronger links to a political party (Labour) in the UK

Question 69

How are more access points in US a way to explain similarities or differences? (Structural theory)

Answer 69

-More opportunity to have an influence on politics means that US pressure groups are more active in comparison to the UK -They also do more things and use more methods compared to the UK, as they try to influence the legislative, executive and judiciary -More elecitons means more that they have to be concerned with

Question 70

How are more separation of powers in the USA allows Congress to act more independently of government than UK Parliament able to explain similarities or differences? (Structural theory)

Answer 70

-US pressure groups can influence more individuals due to this - if individuals in Congress support your cause but the executive doesnt due to divided gov, then you still have some opportunities, but if the legislative disagrees, so will the executive in the UK because of united gov always being present

Question 71

How is unlimited US election spending versus restrictive UK campaign finance and advertising laws able to explain similarities or differences? (Structural theory)

Answer 71

-US pressure groups more focused on funding comapred to UK -UK pressure groups have a greater opportunity to have an impact even if they have low funding -US pressure groups are able to do more because they have more funding

Question 72

How is a more powerful Supreme Court in the USA as the Constitution is sovereign able to explain similarities or differences? (Structural theory)

Answer 72

-Means that pressure gorups in the US try to not only influence the executive and legislative, but the judiciary too -Better able to have an influence on public policy as the SCOTUS often legislates from the bench

Question 73

How are weaker trade unions in the USA, stronger links to a political party (Labour) in the UK able to explain similarities or differences? (Structural theory)

Answer 73

-Trade unions have stronger insider access in the UK which enables them to have more impact on policy, to benefit the workers whom they represent

Question 74

How can rational theory explain similarities and differences?

Answer 74

1. Greater whip control in the UK 2. Government workers in both countries choose to work for private lobbying firms 3. Party leaders favour pressure groups who appeal to their voters 4. Outsider groups choose methods that will gain them the most media support

Question 75

How is greater whip control in the UK able to explain similarities or differences? (rational theory)

Answer 75

-lobbying is seen as stricter as whips make sure lobbyists stay within party lines, this impacts pressure groups as it weakens their influence in parliament due to strong party loyalty

Question 76

How are govenrment workers in both countries choosing to work for private lobbying firms able to explain similarities or differences? (rational theory)

Answer 76

-the US still has more lobbyists than the UK with 11,000 professional lobbyists compared to the UKs 140 registered frims and individuals, this means that it is more likely the UK has more private lobbying firms to public than the US -this refer to revolving door syndrome -rational government actors in the US are more likely to see post-government lobbying as a rational career move, while in the UK, it’s less lucrative or acceptable due to regulation and possible career damages

Question 77

How are party leaders favouring pressure gorups who appeal to their voters able to explain similarities or differences? (rational theory)

Answer 77

-pressure groups that allign with a political parties view are more likely to be picked, this is more important in the US as pressure groups can have more connections within political parties than the UK

Question 78

How are outsider groups choosing methods that will gain them the most media support able to explain similarities or differences? (rational theory)

Answer 78

-By gaining more media support, in both countries outsider groups are more likely to be seen by the public compared to insider groups

Question 79

How can cultural theory explain similarities and differences?

Answer 79

1. The First Amendment protects pressure groups in the USA 2. Political pluralism is prized in both countries 3. Elitism is more likely to be criticised in the USA 4. Both countries have a tradition of political protest

Question 80

How Is the first amendment protecting pressure groups in the US able to explain similarities or differences? (Cultural theory)

Answer 80

-There is little restriction that can be placed on the activities of pressure groups, meaning in the US pressure groups cannot be silenced easily, allowing them to project their viewpoint with ease and therefore increase activity and in turn influence -In the UK pressure groups aren’t protected under any part of the constitution, leaving them open to restriction that may hinder their efforts

Question 81

How Is political pluralism being prized in both countries able to explain similarities or differences? (Cultural theory)

Answer 81

-Both the US and the UK have a rich and diverse political system where different factions prioritise different issues, meaning that pressure groups reflect the abundance of issues -This means that the diversity in ideology of pressure groups leads to them all fighting for slightly different issues, varying their activities

Question 82

How Is elitism being more likely to be criticised in the US able to explain similarities or differences? (Cultural theory)

Answer 82

-Millions of dollars are spent in each electoral cycle and iron triangles are seen by many liberal as profoundly undemocratic -The use of unlimited funds is an issue unique to the US as there are caps on spending in the uk meaning the US is open to more criticism about their spending, due to the links to elitism and many viewing their spending as corrupt and the work of financial elites with little actual regard or knowledge of what they are fighting for -This leads to possible unpopularity of pressure groups which may in turn hinder their ability to work efficiently or without mass scrutiny

Question 83

How Is both countries having a tradition of political protest able to explain similarities or differences? (Cultural theory)

Answer 83

-This can be seen through marches and demonstrations that became popular during the time of the civil rights movement throughout the 20th century -This impacts pressure group activity as much of its activity is based on direct action such as demonstrations, the tradition therefore influences the methods of pressure groups