How do US elections work, and what roles do parties and pressure groups play?
US elections, parties and pressure groups: the presidential election process, the two-party system, the ideas of the Democrats and Republicans, and the role and influence of pressure groups.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of US elections, parties and pressure groups: the presidential election process from primaries to the Electoral College, the two-party system and the ideas of the Democrats and Republicans, the role of money and campaigns, and the influence of pressure groups.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
This WJEC A2 topic asks you to explain how US elections work and the roles of parties and pressure groups, and to evaluate debates such as the influence of pressure groups. You need the presidential election process from primaries to the Electoral College, the two-party system and the ideas of the main parties, the role of money, and how pressure groups operate.
The answer
The presidential election process
The Electoral College
Because of winner-takes-all and the allocation of votes, a candidate can win the presidency without winning the national popular vote, which is a major criticism of the system, alongside the focus on a few "swing states".
The two-party system and the parties' ideas
The USA has a two-party system dominated by two broad coalitions.
- The Democratic Party. Broadly liberal: more supportive of an active federal government, social programmes, regulation and progressive social policy.
- The Republican Party. Broadly conservative: favouring limited government, lower taxes, free markets, a strong defence and traditional social values.
Both are broad "umbrella" parties with internal factions, and third parties struggle under the electoral system.
Money, campaigns and pressure groups
Money is central to US politics: campaigns are extremely expensive, and groups can spend through political action committees (PACs). Pressure groups lobby Congress and the executive, fund campaigns, mobilise members and litigate through the courts. The central debate is whether well-funded groups have too much influence, threatening political equality, or whether they are a healthy feature of a pluralist democracy in which many groups compete so that none dominates.
Examples in context
Why a candidate can lose the vote but win the office. The Electoral College is the clearest illustration of how US elections differ from a simple national popular vote. Because votes are allocated state by state and almost every state awards all its electoral votes to the winner there, a candidate who runs up huge majorities in a few populous states can win more popular votes nationally yet fall short of 270 electoral votes, while an opponent who wins narrowly across more states reaches the threshold. This has happened in real elections, and it concentrates campaigning on a handful of competitive swing states. The mechanism therefore explains both the main criticism of the College and the strategy of US campaigns, and it anchors a strong essay on the fairness of US elections.
Try this
Q1. How many electoral votes are there, and how many are needed to win? [2 marks]
- Cue. 538 in total; a majority of 270 is needed to win the presidency.
Q2. Name the two main US parties and their broad ideological positions. [2 marks]
- Cue. The Democrats (broadly liberal, more active government) and the Republicans (broadly conservative, limited government).
Q3. To what extent do pressure groups have too much influence in the USA? [25 marks]
- What the marker wants. A judgement weighing the influence of wealthy, well-funded groups against pluralist competition and representation.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC A2 Unit 410 marksExplain how the Electoral College elects the US President.Show worked answer →
A short-answer question testing AO1 knowledge of US elections.
Voters in each state vote for a slate of electors pledged to a candidate. Each state has electoral votes equal to its number of senators plus representatives, giving 538 in total. In almost all states the winner of the popular vote takes all that state's electoral votes (winner-takes-all). A candidate needs a majority of 270 to win. Because of winner-takes-all and the allocation of votes, a candidate can win the presidency without winning the national popular vote.
The best answers explain electors, the 538 and 270 figures, winner-takes-all, and the possibility of losing the popular vote but winning the College.
WJEC A2 Unit 420 marksTo what extent do pressure groups have too much influence in the USA?Show worked answer →
An extended evaluation requiring a balanced judgement.
Case that they have too much influence: well-funded groups lobby Congress, fund campaigns through political action committees, and shape policy; the access of wealthy interests raises concerns about democracy and inequality.
Case against: pressure groups are part of a pluralist democracy, represent diverse interests, provide information and expertise, and compete with one another so no single group dominates; the system also has checks.
The top band weighs the influence of wealthy, well-organised groups against pluralist competition and representation, and reaches a supported judgement.
Related dot points
- The US Constitution and federalism: the principles of the Constitution, the separation of powers and checks and balances, the amendment process, and the development of federalism.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of the US Constitution and federalism: codification and entrenchment, the separation of powers and checks and balances, the amendment process, the Bill of Rights, and how federalism has developed from dual to cooperative and modern federalism.
- Congress: the structure and powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the legislative process, the committee system, and how effectively Congress legislates and checks the President.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of Congress: the composition and powers of the House and Senate, the legislative process and the role of committees, the checks Congress holds over the President, and debates about gridlock and the effectiveness of Congress.
- The presidency: the formal and informal powers of the President, the cabinet and EXOP, the limits on presidential power, and debates about the strength of the office.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of the US presidency: the formal constitutional powers, informal powers such as persuasion and executive orders, the cabinet and the Executive Office of the President, the checks and limits on the office, and debates about presidential power.
- The Supreme Court and civil rights: the role and power of the Court, judicial review, the appointment process, judicial activism and restraint, and the Court's impact on civil rights.
A WJEC A2 Unit 4 study of the US Supreme Court: its role and the power of judicial review, the appointment and confirmation process, the debate between judicial activism and restraint, the Court's protection of rights through the Constitution, and its impact on civil rights.
- Pressure groups: their types and methods, the factors that determine their influence, and debates about whether they strengthen or distort democracy.
A WJEC AS Unit 2 study of pressure groups: the distinction between sectional and promotional groups and insider and outsider status, the methods they use, the factors that determine their success, and the debate over whether they enhance or distort democracy.