1. Arguments for/against Pressure Groups

2. Arguments for?

3. Arguments against? Revolving-door syndrome
Practice by which former members of Congress take up well-paid jobs with Washington-based lobbying firms and then use their expertise and contacts to lobby the institution of which they were once a member.
An abuse of public service – people are exploiting their knowledge of contacts within Congress/the White House to further the interests of their clients & make money for themselves
1998 – 2004, 283 retires law-makers became lobbyists (43% of all retiring Members of C.)

4. Craig Holman – government affairs lobbyist for Public citizen
2 problems of RDS
First you have to wonder what lawmakers are giving in exchange for their potentially lucrative employments, and second, once they leave office, are they exploiting their relationships for profitable gain?

5. Iron-Triangle Syndrome
Term used to describe a strong relationship between pressure groups, the relevant congressional committees and the relevant government department/agency in an attempt to guarantee the policy outcomes to the benefit of all 3 parties involved.
Veteran’s iron triangle – ‘Vietnam Veterans of America, Veteran’s Affairs committees, The Department of Veterans’ affairs

6. Linked with RDS
Existence of iron triangles – raises question of whether PG activities are compatible with a pluralist society
Many see PGs as fostering an elitist view of society in which the aforementioned political resources are in the hands of the few.

7. Inequality of Groups
Some see US politics as a systems in which PGs, along with political parties, bureaucrats, trade unions, the media etc – complete for influence over those who make the policy
They would argue that, because each group represents the interests of its own clients, this is entirely compatible with a democratic society (people on right of political spectrum)
Those on left – argue that PGs competition is unequal
Gun control – NRA and Handgun Control Inc – unequal battle.

8. Special Interest v. Public Interest.
PGs put the interest of a small group before the interests of society as a whole
NAACP etc – accentuate the ‘me’ rather than ‘we’ and spend too much time fighting for special interest
Can lead to stereotyping
Criticism of Clarence Thomas, 1991 – conservative black who did not fit the group-think of liberal politics as shown by NAACP and other black PGs

9. Buying political influence
What do lobbyists get for their money?
Disproportionate level of influence
Lobbyists can act on behalf of businesses and write legislation for Congress
Bill to weaken Clean Water Act was written by a taskforce of lobbyists representing groups such as the Chemical Manufacturers Association

10. Using Direct Action
A form of Pressure Group activity that most often favours the use of non-violent or violent physical protest over the more traditional forms of lobbying such as ing and petitions
Deemed inappropriate by others
Pro & Anti-Abortion Groups
Bombing of federal government building – Oklahoma 1995

11. How democratic?
Pluralism
Elitism