Pressure Groups
Overview
An interest group is an organised group of individuals that make policy related appeals to government
Most have a membership. The greater the membership, the more political clout. The NRA has around 5 million members.
They seek to influence those who have won control of the government.
Functions
Representing interests of different groups in society eg. the NAACP represents people of colour
Citizen participation- they increase the opportunities for ordinary people to participate in the decision-making process between elections
Public educators- they educate public opinion on the dangers of ignoring dangerous issues. For instance Sierra Club publishes many articles about the dangers of global warming.
Agenda-building- they attempt to influence the political agenda of parties, legislators and bureaucracies. They will attempt to bring together different groups for a common issue.
Programme monitoring- they will scrutinise and hold local government to account.
How they Operate
Electioneering and endorsement- pressure groups will often endorse specific candidates based on their key issue. The NRA endorsed Trump for president.
Lobbying- many groups have offices on K Street in Washington. Lobbyists provide policy makers with information and voting cues. They provide information to both congressmen and the bureaucracy which is known as the iron triangle.
Publicity- lobbying firms launch public relations campaigns to influence the policy-making process. There were adverts called 'Harry and Louise' against Clinton's healthcare reform from the Healthcare Insurance Association of America. It was effective and also utilised grassroots campaign.
Grassroots Campaign- such as postal blitzes on members of Congress, marches and demonstrations. An example is people writing to congressmen about net neutrality.
Why are they Significant?
The USA is a diverse place, so every minority group has their own interests, and therefore interest groups.
There are many access points to government, and therefore many different people to target because power is decentralised. They can target the legislative, executive or judiciary as well as influencing state and national elections.
The weakness of political parties means that people will turn to pressure groups when they want things done. The parties are weak and often decentralised with a lack of coherent values.
Distrust of government- groups such as the Centre for Responsive Politics scrutinise politicians' actions.
Ballot initiatives- pressure groups often have a say in initiatives. In 2008 same-sex marriage was banned due to a proposition and during this pressure groups spent around $82 million.
Arguments for Pressure Groups
Pressure groups provide a healthy 'free market' where every group can express themselves.
Pluralism- there are so many pressure groups, it prevents just one from gaining too much power.
They play a vital role in giving information to congressmen and the bureaucracy.
They benefit political participation! Elections are only every 2 years but this allows people to have a say in policy all the time.
Many increase scrutiny on politicians, such as the Centre for Responsive Politicians
Arguments Against Pressure Groups
Some are too powerful. The wealthy can make more donations, are more educated and have more time for political participation. Too often the wealthy have the loudest voice, such as Wayne LePierre, CEO of the NRA with a net worth of $10 million
Corporate interests outweigh the interests of groups that represent the people eg. the Koch brothers have spent millions on trying to segregate schools and abolish minimum wage.
Studies show congress is more likely to favour policies that favour the rich.
"Revolving-door syndrome"- former members of congress often take up positions as lobbyists when they leave. This means they know the workings of congress very well as well as knowing personally the congressmen who they are lobbying.
The iron triangle- there is too strong a relationship between pressure groups, bureaucracy and congress meaning that pressure groups can control both.