Unit 3, Ch. 9.2: Interest Groups

Interest Groups and what they do: There are thousands of interest groups in the U.S.. A special interest group is an association of people who hold similar views or goals. Interest groups work at every level (local, state, national) in our representative democracy to give people a way to monitor and participate in social action. They organize people who share concerns, provide members with a means to participate in politics, and they supply information to the public and policy makers Many interest groups have created political action committees (PAC’s) to support candidates that agree with them on issues. These PAC’s raise and contribute money to political campaigns.

Organizing Interests: Part of being a responsible citizen is trying to influence public policy. People can write letters, give speeches, testify at legislative hearings, and vote. However, joining an interest group can amplify the impact of those opinions. These groups can be environmentalists, business owners, musicians, teachers, or members of minority groups.

Encouraging Participation and Supplying information: Membership of interest groups has declined in recent years, however “checkbook memberships”, where businesses or people have contributed money has increased. More money has meant that these groups have been able to lobby congress or create websites to get their information out. Information, rather than membership, has almost been more effective. PAC’s and groups have hurt political campaigns and swayed elections with the information they push through various sources of media.

Types of Interest Groups: Agricultural groups: Representing farmers and agricultural industry, such as the American Farm Bureau Federation. Business groups: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce or the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The Chamber represents business interests in general, while the NFIB the rights of small business. Another type, trade associations represent certain industries. They support laws and policies that benefit them, and oppose those that harm their interests.

Types of Interest Groups: Labor groups: Representing labor unions (groups of workers in an industry), they support workers in various industries. Cause-Based groups: Promoting a cause rather than society, or a common cause like education. Societal Groups: Representing religious, social, racial, ethnic, or other segments of the population, rather than other interests. Professional Groups: Professions like doctors or attorneys, to influence legislation for licensing and training, etc.

Functions of Special Interest groups: Interest groups don’t change laws, but they do affect public opinion and public policy at every level of government. Here are some of the ways they do this: Endorsing Candidates: An interest group may endorse (publicly support) a candidate in an election. Whichever candidate supports the interests of that group gets the support of that group and their PAC’s. Lobbying: Contacting public officials to persuade them to support their interests, lobbyists email or call policy makers to influence them.

Functions of Special Interest groups: Informing Public Opinion: groups often provide someone to testify at a city council meeting, state agency, or congressional hearing to express their interests and gain public support. Many try to gain grassroots support (lowest level of people) to get people to march or show force to get policy to change. Filing Lawsuits: The legal system has been helpful as well, as when a group of parents sued to end racial segregation of schools in the case Brown v. the Board of Education in Topeka, KS when the court declared that segregation was illegal.

Benefits of Interest Groups: They give minority interests a voice in the political process, such as the civil rights movement in the 60’s. Criticisms: Some believe that groups have too much power. Some feel that they focus on one issue and ignore the broader needs of society, or that they appeal to emotions instead of reasonable solutions. Limits on interest groups: In 2007, after several lobbying scandals, Congress passed lobbying reforms to limit their activities with only temporary success.