Policy Pressures and Public Law

Synonyms

Interest groups; Pressure groups

Definitions

Political action committee (PAC): A political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission for the purpose of electing a politician or helping advance a legislative agenda. PACs can be established and administered by corporations, unions, membership-based organizations, or trade associations.

Super political action committee (Super PAC): A PAC that emerged after the SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission (2010) Supreme Court decision. They can raise unlimited amounts of money and can spend it supporting or opposing a political candidate. They are prohibited from donating directly to a candidate.

Pressure group: Also known as an interest group. They share similar beliefs, goals, or political philosophies and seek to influence policymakers through lobbying, education, direct actions such as protesting, and political pressure.

Introduction

In the American political system, each branch exerts pressure on the others...