How does the structure of government affect pressure group politics in the UK and USA?

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How does the structure of government affect pressure group politics in the UK and USA? (50 marks)

In the UK and USA, pressure groups have similar aims; they seek to bring their agenda to the forefront of the political debate (particularly true of protectionist or sectional groups) and to secure legislation favourable to them in some way. The differences between the political system in these countries, however, means that these aims must be pursued in somewhat different manners.

The most basic differences have wide ramification. In the USA, the separation of powers and the federal system mean that interest groups have a vast array of potential access points. Nationally, there is the executive (the President and Federal Bureaucracy)), both house of Congress and the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. The federal system ensures that there are also influential government bodies at state level - governors, legislatures and state courts can all become targets for interest group activity. In addition, there are targets at a lower level, such as city mayors and local councils.

The situation in the UK is very different. Our unitary system means that the vast majority of power lies with