To what extent have the attempts to regulate pressure groups been successful in the USA? (30 marks)

Created by: yazmintaylorx
Created on: 30-04-18 09:18

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regulation of PGs
- the definition of lobbyists has caused problems
  - Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995
    - defined lobbyist as someone with more than one contract & spends 20% time lobbying
    - included lobbying of congress & senior executive staff
  - many lobbyists changed focus of their work so they spend < 20% lobbying
    - 3,627 lobbyists deregistered in 2008 in order to avoid restrictions
  - many lobbyists now call themselves 'strategic advisors'
    - don't directly contact officials on behalf of clients
    - instead advise clients on how to best present message to govt. & public
    - American League of Lobbyists changed name to Association of Government Relations Professionals
  - means may lobbyists can carry out work unregulated
  - reduces authority of federal govt. as lobbyists ignorming them
  - decreasepublic confidence in govt. so increase apathy & decrease participation
- disclosure regulations have had little impact
  - Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995
  - Honest Leadership & Open Govt Act 2007
  - regs have done nothing to stop PGs spending & accepting huge amounts of money
  - PGs can still donate huge amounts to candidate's campaigns
    - since Citizens United v FEC (2010) lobbyists can donate to Super PACs which can spend unlimited amounts on TV ads supporting candidates
    - there were 1, 310 Super PACs created by the 2012 election & they raised over $ 828 m
  - still a lot of potential for corruption to occur
  - could undermine pluralist democracy & promote elitism as views of wealthy are better represented
  - supports view that its just the wealthiest who win
    - could lead to apathy & decreased participation
- the revolving door has only been delayed, not stopped
  - Ethics in Government Act 1978
  - Ethics Reform Act 1989
  - Honest Leadership & Open Govt Act 2007
  - revolving door has increased
    - in 1974 only 3% retiring Congressmen came back as lobbyists
    - in 2013 50% Senators & 42% House Reps come back as lobbyists
  - promotes elitism & undermines pluralist democracy
  - suggests officials more interested in self-gain than making decisions in interest of the public
    - gives govt. bad image
- regulation of gifts can be avoided
  - Honest Leadership & Open Govt Act 2007
  - loopholes in regulations of gifts that allow lobbyists to avoid regulations
    - Jack Abramoff 'you can't take a Congressman to lunch for $25, but you can take him to a fundraising lunch and give him $25,000 as a fundraiser'
  - promotes elitism & undermines pluralist democracy
    - poorer citizens can't afford expensive gifts
  - gives less respectability to regulations as lobbyists can get round them
- still no regulation of grassroots activities
  - increased the growth of 'Astroturf Groups' that mask the identity & goals of a client
    - conducting a campaign that appears to be a grassroots movement
    - National Smokers' Alliance to reduce anti-smoking laws
      - claimed to be grassroots but created fro Phillip Morris (huge tobacco company)

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To what extent have the attempts to regulate pressure groups been successful in the USA? (30 marks)

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