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Essay Plans - Government and Politics in the US
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Pressure Groups - RevisionExplain and analyse 3 ways the US system encourages pressure group activity. (9)
P – numerous access points.
Ex – separation of powers, lobby through diff power centres of legislative, executive and judiciary.
Ev – 80,000, candidate endorsing, scorecards AARP & LCV. Target w/ amicus curiae, ACLU, Trump.
An – supposedly promotes pluralism, success depends on whether people vote the way they claim.
P – strong belief in the cons.
Ex – guaranteed rights, Particularly, 1st, freedom of speech and assembly, ‘redress of grievances’ PG.
Ev – 20,000 lobbyist firms which PG buy into, ‘K Street Corridor,’ major lobbying firm K&L Gates.
An – influence outside elections, revolving door syndrome, legalised corruption evident Billy Tauzin
P – weak & fragmented party system.
Ex – fulfil party functions, raise 25% of election finance, via PACS & Super-PACs, legal contribution.
Ev – 527s, indirect, issue-ads, “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” & Super PACs “Restore our Future”.
An – influence unclear, crucial winning candidate’s sig relationship with donors, only for wealthy.
Explain and analyse 3 methods pressure groups use. (9)
P – electioneering through PACs.
Ex – fulfil party functions, raise 25% of election finance, via PACS & Super-PACs, legal contribution.
Ev – 527s, indirect, issue-ads, “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” & Super PACs “Restore our Future”.
An – influence unclear, crucial winning candidate’s sig relationship with donors, only for wealthy.
P – electioneering through candidate endorsement.
Ex – give scorecards when they distribute to voters, way of targeting the executive.
Ev – AARP & LCV ask 10 Qs to candidates then distribute responses to members.
An – close race, crucial, find candidates mirroring positions, depends on whether people how claim.
P – grassroot activities.
Ex – ‘social movements’, organise protests, letter-writing campaigns, or other forms of direct action.
Ev – BLM, respond brutality, protests, marches & disobedience, polls 15-26 mill people participated.
An – lead to violence and disorder like the Oklahoma City Bombing, also successful like CRM.
Explain and analyse 3 ways pressure groups are more powerful than parties. (9)
P – potential for corruption and undue influence.
Ex – lobbyists as former congressmen/women or bureaucrats, revolving door syndrome.
Ev – Billy Tauzin joins lobbying firms after giving up power, knowledge gives unfair advantage.
An – regulated, 2007 Honest Leadership & Open Gov Act, limited effect congressmen simply liaise.
, Pressure Groups - Revision
P – legislators afraid of upsetting pressure groups.
Ex – level of influence making them powerful enough to have a sway in certain policies.
Ev – (R) afraid to upset NRA, takedown Foley, NRA ads opposing ban on assault-weapons, target.
An – represent vast array of beliefs and causes, 5 mill members, still threatening.
P – think tanks.
Ex – develop policy through finance, on the hoof policies for busy candidates/congressman.
Ev – Brookings is a think tank for (D) centre, Cato Institute is a think tank for (R) conservative faction.
An – funding opaque, American Enterprise Institute, highly opaque, guidance foreign sources.
Explain and analyse 3 ways structural theory could be used to study pressure groups. (9)
P – access points.
Ex – how they vary in umber and importance, in US, more levels to use and influence.
Ev – DD US ballot initiatives, Drug Policy alliance funding marijuana legalisation, UK not equivalent.
An – in UK, shape by media, Friends of Earth media campaign to pressure gov climate emergency.
P – role of supreme court.
Ex – US, more powerful SC, bigger focus for lobbying in the US compared to UK supreme court.
Ev – US, Obergefell v Hodges, amicus briefs, strike down state bans, UK against briefs suspension.
An – however, cases, Brexit People’s Challenge against triggering Article 50, in favour of it ruling.
P – spending regulations.
Ex – disparity spending/rules, US, unlimited spending for PGs in elections compared to UK.
Ev – Citizens Utd strikes, UK, PPERA, PG spend > £20,000 per year must report it.
An – in UK, concerns over influence of money, donate via companies and existence of B+W ball (C)
Explain and analyse 3 ways rational theory could be used to study pressure groups. (9)
P – lobbying.
Ex – response legislators to PG can be linked to rational reasons and wanting to keep them on side.
Ev – Sandy Hook shooting expanded background checks, NRA opposed (R) senate blocked it, whips.
An – UK, legislators care less PG, MPs maintaining strong military posture, NATO > anti-war PG.
P – political alliances.
Ex – co-op relationships between diff parties, interest groups and other organisations, UK apparent.
Ev – in UK, political alliances between TU & Lab, businesses, and Tories, less apparent in US.
An – UK, depend on gov, US, consideration whether PG give elected officials votes/money, NRA $50.
P – direct action.
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