The porous nature of the US electoral and political system
invites the concept of pluralism; pressure groups being a fundamental pillar of
the political system. The prominence of groups in each branch of federal
government illustrates the both the demand and need for pressure groups – in
the form of amicus curaie briefs, lobbying for congressional votes and even the
support and approval of federal nominations to the federal bureaucracy and the
Supreme Court. Pressure groups assist when dealing with the most contentious issues
in American politics; through the system of initiatives and propositions. For
instance, the Schuette v. BAMN decision illustrates
the bringing to the attention of the use of affirmative action in education
selection in Michigan.
Yet many point to pressure groups as being elitist in nature
– the rise of SuperPACs giving unprecedented levels of campaign finance to
election candidates, enhancing the pay to play nature of American politics. The
unlimited money supply, enhanced by an entire street filled with lobbying firms
(K Street), it becomes far too easy for pressure groups to influence federal government.
Obstructionist techniques and mechanisms have been
implemented in recent years to prevent the growth of pressure groups through
provisions such as the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, limiting the
revolving door syndrome that too quickly established itself. This has failed to
slam shut the revolving door – for instance,
Senator Jim DeMint walked straight out of his congressional seat into the Presidential
seat of the Heritage Foundation.
Pressure groups pose
as alternatives to political parties; further reaffirming that the Party is
Over.
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