AQA Government and Politics Chapter 21 & 22 : US Pressure Groups and Comparing Pressure Groups(Essay Plans)
Updated 2023/2024
This Resource includes 10 9-Mark Question Plans and 5 25-Mark Question Plans collectively for the ‘US Pressure Groups' and 'Comparing Pressure Groups’ topics - als...
Previous Questions:
2020: Explain and Analyse three ways in which the US Political System encourages Pressure
Group Activity
2022: Extract – Democracy in the US is undermined by lobbying
Political Pluralism – Political philosophy that emphasises benefits of many
different groups influencing the decision-making process
Electoral Finance – Money used to fund election campaigns, including
individual donations and independent expenditures (PGs can spend unlimited
amounts on finance)
Iron Triangles – Relationship between an interest group, Congress, and the
Executive
Promotional Groups – Pressure Groups that promote a particular cause that
they believe will benefit society
Interest Groups – Pressure Groups that exist to defend and advance the
specific interests of its members
Political Action Committees (PACs) – Political Committee that raises money for
direct purpose of electing or defeating candidates in elections
Super PACs – Special type of PAC that only deals with independent expenditures
,“Explain and Analyse three ways in which Pressure Group
funding of elections affects Politics in the USA / influence
Congress”
Unlimited Spending in order to influence Wealthy
Individuals
- 2016 = NRA spent 98% of its congressional campaign funding on the
Republican Candidates
- TISB this alludes to the rational interest of the group attempting to
achieve maximum influence through their investment
Makes it difficult for political outsiders to ‘break in’ as well as
favouring a certain type of candidate in an elitist system
‘Outsiders’ who do manage to break in generally have their own
financial resources (e.g., Trump being a billionaire)
Fund ‘Washington Insiders’, reinforcing the incumbency
advantage
- Incumbents find it easier to attract campaign donations from
Pressure Groups, making it easier for them to win elections
- NRA spent 96% of its total budget on six Senate races, insuring
Republican incumbency in the Senate
Over 90% of Congress(wo)men are typically returned
- TISB incumbency advantage makes districts and states less
electorally competitive due to ‘safe seats’, leading members of
Congress to feel less need to appeal to moderate voters in their
constituencies – contributing to polarisation of US politics
Contributes to formation of ‘Iron Triangles’
- PGs can influence members of Congress through donations to
influence the executive, which needs Congress to vote for its
legislation
- Significant impact on US politics, particularly in areas such as
defence and Big Pharma where a small number of wealthy
interest groups receive lucrative government contracts
Proponents of elitist theory argue that this is
damaging to US democracy
, “Explain and Analyse three methods used by US Pressure
Groups to influence the Executive”
Electioneering and Endorsements
- NRA was a significant influence in endorsing Trump in 2020,
citing his record of protecting gun rights during his first term in
office
- TISB this can significantly influence the outcomes of elections
and thus impact policy decisions made by elected officials
Electioneering activities can provide a candidate with much-
needed resources (e.g., 2016 = 98% of NRA funding went to
Republican Candidates)
Grassroots Mobilisation
- 2020 BLM protests – direct action aimed at policy-makers and
legislators
- TISB can also generate media coverage and publicity for their
cause – making it difficult for policy makers to ignore their
demands and can lead to policy changes that impact concerns
of the group
June 4th 2020 = Mayor Kenney of Philadelphia forced to
establish Pathways to Reform Commission
Lobbying
- NRA has a strong lobbying arm that employs professional
lobbyists to advocate for policies that align with their pro-gun
stance
- TISB this gives PGs direct access to the decision makers in
government and allows them to participate in the policy-
making process
Enhances democracy through this access being beneficial for
slightly less wealthy Groups
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