Curriculum Portal

Sign In

Select a course.

arrow_back

7. Pressure Groups

infoWhy this? Studying US political parties helps students understand how ideas, policies and voters are organised into broad coalitions, and how parties shape elections, government action and political debate across the USA.

scheduleWhy now? This unit follows electoral processes because students first need to understand how elections work before examining how parties compete within them, select candidates and try to build support across different groups of voters.

neurologyYou need to know

  • Pressure groups are organisations that seek to influence government policy and public decision-making without seeking to win elected office themselves. In the USA, they are a major part of political life and operate at federal, state and local level. Their prominence is often linked to political pluralism, the idea that power is spread across many competing groups rather than concentrated in the hands of a single elite.
  • There are different typologies of pressure groups. Promotional groups campaign for a cause or principle, such as environmental protection, civil rights or gun control. Interest groups represent the concerns of a particular section of society, such as business, workers, professionals or retired people. Some groups are permanent and highly organised, while others are looser movements focused on a single issue.
  • Pressure groups use a wide range of methods and tactics to influence decision-making. These include lobbying members of Congress and the executive, using the media, funding research, organising protests, mobilising supporters, bringing legal cases and trying to shape public opinion. In the USA, pressure groups often focus heavily on insider access and long-term relationships with decision-makers.
  • A major feature of US pressure group politics is electoral finance. Campaigns in the USA are expensive, which gives organised groups opportunities to influence politics through donations, endorsements and campaign support. Pressure groups may support candidates who share their aims, fund political advertising and help shape election agendas.
  • A key part of this system is the role of Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs. PACs raise money from members or employees and donate to candidates and campaigns within legal limits. Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited sums independently of candidates, although they cannot officially coordinate with campaigns. Their growth has increased debate about the political influence of wealth.
  • Pressure groups may also benefit from close links with policy-makers and government officials. Iron triangles are relationships between congressional committees, executive agencies and interest groups, where each supports the others. These relationships can give well-established groups strong influence over public policy, especially in specialist policy areas.
  • Pressure group activity can also help reinforce incumbency. Sitting members of Congress often find it easier to attract donations, endorsements and lobbying attention than challengers, which can strengthen their position in elections.
  • There is ongoing debate about the extent of pluralism in the USA. Supporters argue that many groups compete freely, giving citizens multiple points of access to power. Critics argue that this system is unequal, because wealthy and well-connected groups have far more influence than poorer or less organised interests.
  • There is also debate about the relative power of pressure groups and political parties. Pressure groups may be more focused, better funded and more influential on specific issues than parties, particularly in a fragmented political system. However, parties still dominate elections and government formation.

rocket_launchYou must be able to

  • Students should be able to define and use accurately the key terms: political pluralism, electoral finance, iron triangles, promotional groups, interest groups, Political Action Committees and Super PACs.
  • Students should be able to explain the meaning of political pluralism and assess how far the US political system reflects pluralist ideas.
  • Students should be able to identify and distinguish between different types of pressure group, especially promotional groups and interest groups.
  • Students should be able to describe and analyse the methods used by pressure groups to influence decision-making, including lobbying, campaign activity, media work, legal action and grassroots mobilisation.
  • Students should be able to explain the significance of pressure group funding in elections, including how campaign finance can increase political access and influence.
  • Students should be able to describe the role of PACs and Super PACs and assess their significance in modern US politics.
  • Students should be able to explain the idea of iron triangles and show how these relationships can increase the influence of Washington insiders.
  • Students should be able to analyse how pressure groups may reinforce incumbency, particularly through money, endorsements and established relationships.
  • Students should be able to compare the relative power of pressure groups and political parties, considering why pressure groups may be especially influential in the US system.
  • Students should be able to evaluate debates about the power of pressure groups, including arguments that they promote participation and representation, and arguments that they give excessive influence to wealthy or organised interests.
  • Students should be able to support analysis with relevant examples, such as high-profile lobbying organisations, major campaign donors, influential PACs or Super PACs, and examples of insider influence in Washington.


Revision Quiz

trophy Congratulations! You have completed the quiz.