Exam (elaborations)
Essay Plans - Government and Politics in the US
- Institution
- AQA
9 markers & 25 markers essay plans for topics listed in AQA Government and Politics A-level Paper 2
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
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.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller manalahmed. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £7.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
75632 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now