INTEREST GROUPS 1

What Are Interest Groups? Interest Group (special interests) is an organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals. Interest groups try to influence every branch and every level of government. Links citizens to government 2

Interest Groups seek support for issues that affect their members (not election to office) Interest Groups support public officials who support the groups issue Interest Groups focus on a particular issue Interest Groups are private organizations accountable only to their members How are Interest Groups different from Political Parties? 3

The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups Interest groups have existed since the country’s founding. –Federalist #10 The open nature of the American government invites organized political participation. Labor unions were some of the earliest and best organized interest groups. 4

The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups National Groups Emerge ( ) Progressive Era ( ) –Organized Labor – the American Federation of Labor (AFL) (1886) –Business and Trade Associations – The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) (1895) 5

Economic Interest Groups –Professional Associations –Trade Associations –Organized Labor Government Interest Groups Civil Rights Ideological Groups Religious Groups Public Interest Groups –“Think Tanks” –Public-Interest Law Firms –Environmental Groups Single-Issue Groups The Rise of the Interest Group State (1960s and 1970s) 6

Economic Interest Groups –Examples: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers –Professional Associations AMA –Trade Associations American Public Power Association –Organized Labor Government Interest Groups –National League of Cities –National Conference of Mayors –Seek to bring concerns of local gov. to attention of fed gov and lobby for grants Civil Rights –NOW, NAACP Ideological Groups –Americans for Democratic Action –American Conservative Union Religious Groups –Christian Coalition Agricultural Groups Public Interest Groups –“Think Tanks” –Public-Interest Law Firms –Environmental Groups Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Equality Interests Single-Issue Groups –MADD, NRA The Rise of the Interest Group State (1960s and 1970s) 7

In pairs… For each type of interest group, provide a real-life, current example. Focus on those you would consider joining. Use a note card to record your examples. 8

What Do Interest Groups Do? Goals: –Gain access to policy makers –Influence public policy –Support sympathetic policy makers 9

Interest Groups Techniques Direct Techniques: Lobbying –Private meetings –Testifying –Drafting Legislation –Social Occasions –Providing Political Info –Supplying Nomination suggestions –Contributions (PACs) Indirect Techniques: Generating Public Pressure –Groundswell of public pressure –Use Constituents as Lobbyists –Building Alliances with other groups 10

Lobbying Most common and effective technique to influence policymaking Lobbying… -Congress (about 30,000 /spend about $2 billion/year) -Executive Branch (regulatory agencies) -Courts (bring cases to the courts, file briefs, influence nominations) The best lobbyists are truthful and genuine 11

Honest Lobbyists A lobbyist must be honest and truthful if he or she wants to remain effective. –untruthful or disingenuous lobbyists will lose access Of course, lobbyists present their positions in a favorable light –good lobbyists will also make lawmakers aware of the downsides of a bill and the arguments on the other side as well &islist=false&id= &m=

1. Leaders – having a prominent leader aids in the reputation of the group and enhances a group's ability to attain its goals. 2. Financial Resources – funding is critical. Without money, it is hard to get your message out. 3. Size – a group must have members to be successful. Organizing members allows for strength in numbers and pooling of financial support. 4. Intensity – the more committed the members the better What Makes an Interest Group Successful? 13

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Pluralist Theory Pluralist theory argues that interest group activity brings representation to all. –groups compete and counterbalance one another. Criticism –It gives short shrift to those who are not organized. –It fails to deal with the fact that some interests have more power than others. –It seems to leave no room for consideration of transcendent national interests. 17

Hyperpluralist Theory  Detriments of too many groups:  Groups dominate the political decision-making  Consideration of the greater public interest becomes impossible  Policy can become confusing or contradictory  Lawmakers avoid making tough decisions 18

In pairs… Generate a list of pros and cons for the influence of interest groups. Include at least 3 of each. In the end, answer these two questions: 1. Do interest groups represent a net benefit to American society? Why or why not? 2. What can be done to limit the negative consequences of interest groups? 19

Power Elite Theory Small number of super rich individuals, powerful corporate interests, & large financial institutions dominate key political areas –PACs develop close connection between money and politics 20

Criticism Interest Groups Interest Groups have been criticized for –Ignoring the wider interest of society –Producing confusion and deadlock in Congress –Generating so much emotion that they make reasoned discussion difficult –Having too much influence 21

Important Points to Think About Interest Groups Promote interest in public affairs Provide useful information Serve as watchdogs Represent the interest of Citizens 22