1. Pluralism & Elitism
Pluralism: A theory which suggests that political power in a society does not rest simply with the electorate, nor with the governing elite, but is distributed amongst a number of groups representing widely different interests within society.
Elitism: A theory which suggests that political power in a society rests with a small group who gain power through wealth, family status or intellectual superiority

2. Theoretical basis of pressure group activity is to be found pluralism
Theoretical basis of pressure group activity is to be found pluralism. Dahl (1960s) – claimed that in the critical areas US society was based on pluralism – political party nominations, urban redevelopment and public education – different groups of ordinary Americans were active and influential.
Democracy is about compromise between competing groups.
How could PGs in American potentially be considered elitist?

3. Regulation of Pressure Groups
What measures have been taken to limit the influence of PGs?
How successful have they been?

4. How PGs have been regulated over the years
PGs have been protected under the 1st Amendment.
1946 – Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act. Congress started to regulate the activities of Pressure Groups. Lobbyists had to register with the clerk of the House of Representatives if they raise money to be used to aid the passage or defeat of any legislation by Congress.
Provisions were ignored

5. Pressure groups have had to be regulated since the campaign finance reform act gave rise to Political Action Committees (PACs) and since the Watergate Scandal. (Both in the 1970s)
Huge public dissatisfaction over the ‘buying’ influence in Congress – congressional scandal over influential Aran interests to bribe leading members of Congress (late 1970s, early 1980s)
1990s – definition of a pressure group expanded. This led to further regulation as more groups had to register.
Congress also restricted lobbyists by banning gifts and wining and dining Congressmen

6. 2007 – Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (when Dems had majority in both houses of Congress)
‘new law exposes lobbyists and their employers to potential prison time and hefty fines if they fail to follow regulations’
Close the revolving door – Senators had to wait 2 years after retiring from public office before they can lobby Congress
PGs had to stop sponsoring trips for members of Congress and staff (Sierra club can no longer take Congressmen to see the National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska)

7. Pressure Groups and Obama
Lobbyists became a target for Obama and McCain in 2008.
Obama refused campaign donations from registered lobbyists ‘Washington has become a place where good ideas go to die because lobbyists crush them with their money and influence’.

8. Has regulation been successful?

9. Homework
Page 178
Analyse the factors that are likely to bring success to PGs in the USA
Analysis marks are gained in this essay through showing you can tell the difference between the importance of different factors (e.g. ‘the first most important factor, the second most important factor’
You can express limitations of each factor – but focus on how PGs are successful.
Remember your examples!