Methods used by Pressure Groups in US Politics

Electioneering and endorsements

Electioneering = taking part actively in a campaign to be elected to public office

Endorsement = Pressure Groups actively supporting/opposing a presidential/congressional/judicial candidate based on positions on policy areas (e.g. National Right to Life endorsed Romney)

The role of PACs from 2006 - because of campaign finance reforms, PACs were encouraged (see notes on this here)

  • Biggest PAC contributor is the National Association of Realtors (gave just under $4 million to candidates in 2015 – 2016)

The top 12 PAC recipients nearly always win however there is no clear link between PAC contributors and the way Congress vote

Lobbying

An attempt to exert influence on the policy making, legislature or judicial process by individual or organised groups. Most effective method is the provision of accurate information to those who need it

Pressure Groups maintain offices in Washington DC, state captials and other major cities. (e.g. the K street corridor in Washington DC holds many lobby offices)

Some of the most notable firms are built around former presidential aides and cabinet officers (this helps to attract clients e.g. John ashcroft Bushs former attorney general opened the Ashcroft group)

Pressure Groups also provide legislators with voting cues (e.g. conservatives find following the American Conservative Union helpful)

Publicity

Pressure Groups frequently launch public relations campaigns in order to educate people at large. (this can involve TV advertising frequently known as 'issue advertising')

Insurance companies played a role in killing off Bill Clintons healthcare reforms ("Harry and Louise" tv ads)

Public policy journals - these circle to nearly all members of Congress and senior staff (advertising can be placed within)

Organising grassroots activities

Direct action that is generally aimed at legislators/ policy makers

Can be in the form of marched and demonstrations (eg. womens' march)

Some pressure groups do resort to violence and disorder (e.g. BLM turned to violence in Ferguson)

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