Chapter 6 INTEREST GROUPS

Learning Objectives 1) Explain what an interest group is, why interest groups form, and how interest groups function in American politics. 2) Identify the various types of interest groups. 3) Discuss how the activities of interest groups help to shape government policymaking.

Learning Objectives 4) Describe how interest groups are regulated by government.

Interest Groups & American Government Interest Group: –An organized group of individuals –Share common objectives –Actively attempt to influence policymaking at national, state, & local level utilizing all three branches of government.

Why Interest Groups Form Interest groups form in response to change: –Political or Economic –Dramatic shift in population –Technology that affects how people live or work –Or a change in social values or cultural norms Some groups form to support change, speed it along; while others form to stop it.

Interest Groups & Financing Patron: –An individual or organization that provides financial backing to an interest group. –Membership success & influencing policy depends on patronage of large grants & donations.

Profiles of Selected Interest Groups Figure 6-1 pg. 133

Incentives to Join Purposive incentive: –Satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which one believes. Solidarity incentive: –Pleasure in associating w/ like-minded people. Camaraderie Material incentive: –Practical benefits such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance.

% of Americans Belonging to Various Groups Table 6-1 pg. 121

Free Rider Problem Difficulty faced by interest groups that lobby for a public good. Individuals enjoy the outcome of the group’s efforts w/o having to contribute. –Join group & pay membership dues

Access To Government Pluralist Theory: –Politics as a contest among various interest groups –contest takes place at all levels of government –Objective: to gain benefits for their members

How Interest Groups Function in American Politics Interest Groups: Policy Specialist –Political parties: policy generalists Tightly Organized Influence elections, however do not compete for office

Different Types of Interest Groups pg Private & Public Interest Groups Business Interest Groups Labor Interest Groups Agricultural Groups Consumer Interest Groups Identity Interest Groups Senior Citizens Interest Groups Environmental Interest Groups Professional Interest Groups Single-Issue Interest Groups Gov. Interest Groups Ideological Interest Groups

Different Types of Interest Groups Public-interest group: –An interest group formed for the purpose of working for the “public good” ie. ACLU & Common Cause

Top Business Campaign Donors, Table 6-2, pg. 126

Different Types of Interest Groups Trade Organization: –An association formed by members of a particular industry ie. oil industry or the trucking industry – To develop common standards & goals for the industry. –Lobbies government for legislation or regulations that specifically benefit their groups.

Different Types of Interest Groups Labor Force: –All of the people over the age of 16 who are working or actively looking for jobs. Organized labor represents only 12% of working force –Public employee unions grow in #’s & power Right-to-work laws: –Laws that ban unions from collecting dues or other fees from workers whom they represent but who have not actually joined the union.

Top Labor & Professional Campaign Donors, Table 6-3, pg. 127

Union Membership, present Figure 6-1 pg. 127

Selected Environmental Interest Groups

Top Ideological & Misc. Campaign Donors, , Table 6-4, pg. 130

How Interest Groups Shape Policy Direct Techniques: –Any method employed by an interest group to interact w/ government officials directly –In order to further the group’s goals. ie. Lobbying & Election Support

Direct Techniques Lobbying: –All of the attempts by organizations &/or individuals to influence the Passage, Defeat, Or contents of legislation –&/or influence the administrative decisions of government.

Direct Techniques Lobbyist: –An individual who handles a particular interest group’s lobbying efforts. ie. Former members of Congress, or Former employees of executive bureaucracies Lobbying can be directed at the –legislative branch of government, –at administrative agencies, –& even at the courts.

Direct Lobbying Techniques Table 6-5 pg. 133

Providing Election Support Political Action Committee (PAC): pg. 132 –A committee established by a Corporation, Labor union, or Special interest group –to raise funds & make contributions on the establishing organization’s behalf.

Indirect Techniques Any method used by interest groups to influence government officials through third parties. Pg –ie. Shaping Public Opinion, Rating Systems, Issue Ads, 527s & 501 (c)4s, Mobilizing Constituents, Going to Court, and Demonstrations

Shaping Public Opinion Rating System: pg. 134 –System by which a particular interest group evaluates the performance of legislators –Based on how often the legislators have votes with the group’s position on particular issues. ie. Communications Workers of America –“Heroes” v. “Zeroes” rating system

Shaping Public Opinion Indirect Techniques of Lobbying: –Independent Expenditure: pg An expenditure for activities that are independent from (not coordinated with) those of a political candidate or a political party. »Supreme Court makes clear 1 st Amendment: (guarantee of free speech) protects interest groups’ rights to set forth their positions on issues when funded through independent expenditures.

Issue Ads & “527s” Issue Ad: pg. 134 –A television or radio ad supporting or opposing a particular issue. One of the most powerful indirect techniques utilized by interest groups Protected by 1 st Amendment Freedom of Speech, upheld by the Supreme Court

Issue Ads & “527s” “527s” groups: (referring to tax code) pg. 134 –Partisan groups, wherein which “soft money” can still be collected so long as 527s do not officially work with campaigns or candidates. –Soft money: Unlimited donations to campaigns & political parties

Why Do Interest Group Get Bad Press? Examples of Questionable Activities pg. 136 –(2007) Texas Gov. Rick Perry/Merck Donation/Executive Order & Gardasil Vaccine Concentrated Benefits, Dispersed Costs –Benefits not in the general public’s interest Pg. 137 The Rest of the World –Tailoring Trade Deals for Special Interests

The Regulation of Interest Groups Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act in 1946 pg. 136 Registration w/ clerk of House & Sec. Of Senate if person or organization receives $ to influence legislation Full disclosure of employer, salary, amount & purpose of expenses & duration of emploment

Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act in 1946 cont’d Registered lobbyist must give quarterly amount reports on their activities, which are published in CQ $10,000 or up to 5 yrs. of imprisonment for failing to adhere to specific provisions of the act

The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 Reformed 1946’s Act pg. 138 –Stricter definitions of who must register w/ Congress –Lobbyist person who spend 20% or more of time lobbying members of Congress –Staff or themselves are paid $5,000 or more in a 6 month period for such work –Any organization that spends $20,000 or more in 6 month period conducting lobbying activity must register Amounts have been altered to $2,500 & $10,000/quarter

The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 cont’d –Lobbyists must report their clients Lobbying reform efforts in 2007 –Goal: Force lobbyists to disclose their expenditures on House & Senate election campaigns above & beyond straight campaign contributions. ie. Lavish parties Honest Leadership & Open Government Act in Sept by President Bush