Methods of Interest groups

Define lobbying

Directly approaching lawmakers and government officials to influence their decisions. Lobbyists provide information, draft legislation and express the concerns of their groups to these officials.

Define Electioneering

Many pressure groups form Political Action Committees to collect and distribute money to pollical candidates who support their position

Who does EMILY’s list commonly support?

They support Democrat female candidates such as Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris

Who did the National Right to Life endorse?

Trump in 2020

Who did the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence endorse in 2020?

Biden

Why doesn’t electioneering occur in the UK?

There is much stronger party discipline over candidates and interest groups can’t exert influence using money

How do IGs use campaign finance to exert influence?

They endorse and fund candidates to a large extent - massively boosts candidate

How much did the NRA spent in support of the Trump administration and other candidates?

$50 million

How do IGs use voting cues and scorecards to exert influence?

IGs will publish ratings of candidates in congressional seats, endorsing them based on how much they support an issue or group. This can influence the way voters vote and the way the candidate responds to future legislation.

Which group famously uses scorecards?

The NRA rank congressional candidates from A to F over their support for guns

Why is targeting individual representatives in the UK less effective?

As the Whip system gives parties more power over MPs

Define grassroots mobilization

Mobilizing members and supporters to contacting their elective representatives, attended rallies or participate in other forms of direct actions

Name some IGs that use grassroots mobilisation?

MOMs for Liberty run training sessions, conferences, contact the media and congress member. This group has 12,000 members across 44 states.

Define litigation

Some groups turn to the courts to achieve their aims. They may challenge legislation or push for the enforcement of existing laws.

Which IG use litigation as their core method?

The ACLU has been involved in many judicial review cases such as Roe v Wade in 1973 and Obergefell v Hodges on same sex marriage in 2015. Currently involved in the Amicus briefs in TikTok Inc v Garland in Jan 2025.

How do IGs use resources and expertise to exert influence?

Civil rights groups dedicated research staff who can give evidence to policy committees and communicate directly with politicians.

Give an example of IGs using expertise and resources

• The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People have been a leading force behind civil rights - Civil Rights Act 1964

How do PGs in the UK use their expertise to exert influence?

Liberty employs policy experts and lawyers who draft responses to govt consultations and submit evidence to select committees.

What are the similarities and differences in the importance of expertise in the UK and US?

In both countries, specialist knowledge that interest groups supply in this way is a valuable resource for time-pressured politicians and civil servants. But in the US, it is more powerful as they’re better funded and have more access points.

Define direct action

This is when IGs engage protests to draw attention to their cause/group.

What are the other methods used by IG?

• Public relations campaigns

• Coalition buildings

• Information dissemination