WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTIES AND LOBBIES ?
do not seek to occupy government but rather to influence it (no candidates in election but may endorse candidates)
GIVE LOBBIES EXAMPLES
NRA (National Rifle Association), 1871: 5 million members, defence of the 2nd Amendment
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), 1920: roughly 1 million members. Current position: opposing the death penalty, supporting abortion rights, eliminating discrimination against minorities, supporting the rights of prisoners and opposing torture.
WHAT DOES THE 1ST AMENDMENT SAY ?
“The Congress shall make no law respecting establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, to assemble and to petition of the Government for a redress of grievances.”
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAY TO TAKE ACTION OF LOBBIES ?
direct lobbying
mobilizing public opinion
electoral politics
using the courts
WHAT IS DIRECT LOBBYING ?
meeting with Congress and member of the government, giving information to convince them to side with them and defend the interest at stake (sometimes even drafting bills to be introduced by friendly lawmaker)
IN WHAT CONSISTS MOBILIZING THE PUBLIC OPINION ?
bring pressure to bear on politicians by trying to persuade a large number of people to pay attention to their concerns:
protests (Women’s March)
boycotts ◦ strikes
advertising campaign
bumper stickers
WHAT IS THE ELECTORAL POLITICS ?
ensuring supportive legislators are elected in the 1st place to ensure they will owe a debt of gratitude
financial support to the parties and the candidates (contributions)
activism by encouraging voters to get to the polls
informing voters on a candidate
HOW DO LOBBIES USE THE COURT ?
bringing suit directly on behalf of the group or by financing suits brought by individuals ex: 1954 Brown v. Board of Education with the NAACP providing attorneys
WHAT IS THE INITIAL INTENT OF PLURALISM ?
creating competition between interests so that no single group would take over/ to prevent tyranny. Pluralism is a positive power regulating power.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT MISSIONS OF LOBBIES ?
form if political participation
public education
monitor government
IN WHICH WAY ARE LOBBIES A FORM OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION ?
make the government more responsive to the public’s preference. Additional point of access in government for the people. Election are not the only time when political participation occurs
HOW DO LOBBIES EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ?
educating people about issues and provide Congress with vital flow information. It can help place previously neglected or ignored issues on the agenda and force decision makers to address important issues
HOW DO LOBBIES MONITOR THE GOVERNMENT ?
monitoring government programs is an additional check, an extra-safeguard to ensure that the government is conducting itself responsibly
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES CONCERNING LOBBIES ?
corruption
undermining political equality
WHY IS THERE CORRUPTION IN LOBBIES ?
collusion between lawmakers and lobbyists ex: campaign financing can give the sense that power is bought ex2: the revolving door phenomenon = a movement of people between roles as legislators/ regulators and the industries affected by their legislation and regulation. Since 1996 43% of the Congressmen who have left Congress to return to private life have gone in lobbying. Lobbies gain more access by recruiting insiders. One regulation: 1 year before you can directly lobby former colleagues on Capitol Hill.
WHY LOBBIES UNDERMINE POLITICAL EQUALITY ?
in theory 1 citizen = 1 vote. But not all interests are represented equally. Some groups are far more influential than others (particularly corporate interests, they make up 70% of interests groups with a presence in Washington). Biasing/ subverting the principle of equal representation of all citizens in democracy, sometimes allowing minority opinion and interests to triumph over the majority
WHAT WAS CITIZENS UNITED V. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION ?
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002), no issue advocacy ads naming candidates within 60 days of election. It was contested in 2008 by Citizens United, a conservative interest group. The 1st amendment protects he act of speech. Thus the 1st amendment protects the speech of corporation, lobbies and union too. Limiting a corporation or group’s ability to spend money violates the 1st amendment: limits the ability of its member to associate and speak → money is a form of speech.
WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES CONCERNING LOBBIES ?
transparency
limiting financial clout
true pluralism
WHAT IS TRANSPARENCY ?
focus on disclosure of lobbying activities. Forcing all lobbyist to register and to disclose the financial resources they spend in their lobbying effort. 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act: Obligation to register if you’re pacing the halls of Congress, fines if you don’t.
HOW TO LIMIT THE FINANCIAL CLOUT OF LOBBIES ?
setting limits on gifts ex: California $10 limit on gifts with a $470 gift limit for a year but there are numerous loopholes, like trip for example.
WHAT IS TRUE PLURALISM ?
the more group there is, the less clout they have. The clout is evening out. Every Town For Gun Safety, 2013 opposing the NRA.
WHAT ARE LOBBIES ?
association of individuals or organizations that join together to advance or defend the particular interests they share
Corporate and business interests (tobacco, pharmaceutical or oil industry). But also groups for retired people, veterans, environmental protection etc
Last changed12 days ago