Introduction to Interest Group Politics and Theories of Interest Groups Politics

The Role of Interest Groups Interest group – An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals – Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas. Interest groups are distinct from parties. – Political parties fight election battles; interest groups do not field candidates for office but may choose sides. – Interest groups are policy specialists; political parties are policy generalists.

Interest Groups: Good or Evil? Alexis de Tocqueville “Americans of all ages, all conditions, and all dispositions constantly form associations.”

Interest Groups: Good or Evil? Differences between factions were inevitable Factions would be controlled through size and diversity of nation as well as through government structure “ Liberty is to faction what air is to fire”

Interest Groups: Good or Evil? American Criticisms of Interest Groups – They do not offer equal representation to all – 20% believe lobbyists bribe Congress We dislike interest groups as a whole, but we like those who represent our views.

Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralist Theory – Politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. Elite Theory – Societies are divided along class lines and an upper-class elite rules, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization. Hyperpluralist Theory – Groups are so strong that government is weakened. This is an extreme, exaggerated form of pluralism.

Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralism and Group Theory – Groups provide a key link between the people and the government. – Groups compete and no one group will become too dominant. – Groups play by the “rules of the game.” – Groups weak in one resource may use another. – Lobbying is open to all so is not a problem.

Pluralism Elites and the Denial of Pluralism – Real power is held by the relatively few. – The largest corporations hold the most power. – Elite power is fortified by a system of interlocking directorates of these corporations and other institutions. – Other groups may win many minor policy battles, but elites prevail when it comes to big policy decisions. – Lobbying is a problem because it benefits the few at the expense of the many.

Hyperpluralism Subgovernments – Networks of groups that exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas. – Consist of interest groups, government agency, and congressional committees that handle particular policies – Also known as iron triangles The Hyperpluralist Ccritique – Groups have become too powerful as the government tries to appease every interest. – Many subgovernments (iron triangles) aggravate the process. – Trying to please every group results in contradictory policies.