Interest Groups Theory and Practice

Interest Group: Organized group that tries to influence public policy Interest Group Theory: In a democratic society, interest groups interact naturally and properly to produce public policy.

James Madison Federalist #10 Factions and Freedom “If the government does not allow people to pursue their self interest, it takes away their political freedom” – agree or not?? Controlling selfish interest limits freedom???

Best way to control factions - James Madison: through the proliferation of groups no one group could get hegemony over other groups. (dominance) Does the “proliferation of groups” keep a balance in the system? Has $$ corrupted the whole theory? / failure to organize?

Interest Group Pressure, special, advocacy, PAC An organized body of individuals share some goals try to influence public policy Educate and mobilize people Advance certain policy goals benefits to its members & free riders

Formation of Interest Groups A need arises: a group of unorganized people are adversely affected by change Success of group Leadership quality membership quality 30% of all current interest groups formed 1960 – 1980.

1960’s - 1980’s: Rise in Public Interest Groups Common Cause, Public Citizen Devoted to interests of blacks, women, elderly, poor, consumers, environment Influenced by NAACP, ACLU, Civil Rights Movement Christian Coalition p.590

Lobbying Spending https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/

1st Amendment Petition government constitutionally protected activity Guarantees the right to be heard Special interest can not be regulated

What Interests Represented? Economic interests Wages, tariffs, jobs, insurance Largest groups business, industry Better financed than labor interests Professional Associations; AMA Economic and non-economic Ethnic Associations - NAACP Mix between eco and non-eco interests

Professional Associations AMA, ABA, AAES, AFT, IRA Economic and non-economic interests Ethnic Associations NAACP, ADC, OCA, AJC

Public interest groups work for the greater good Non-economic Groups Public interest groups work for the greater good Image of non-partisanship No expectation of eco profit “Unsafe At Any Speed” - Ralph Nader AARP-nations largest & most powerful

League of Women Voters Work to get citizens registered to vote Voter guide on issues Promoting democracy Do not receive any economic benefit

Single Issue Group Narrow in focus - one issue only Number of these groups increased over last 40 years Also constitutionally protected Often will go against a candidate’s entire platform based on the one issue NRA, NRLC, MADD

What do Interest Groups Do? 1. Information Try to get their interest heard Important resource interest groups can provide Oil price crisis - Petroleum Institute, an interest group of oil companies

Lobbying Late 19th century groups waited “in the lobby” to speak with a Congressman influence congressional actions Testify Help with drafting of leg. Provide the language needed

Performed with all 3 branches of government - usually associated with Congress Revolving door Senator must wait 2 years before being able to lobby old job Rep 1 year

Disclosure Right to lobby – not unrestricted Government responsible to see if groups are legit What capacity group is acting Accountability

Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995 Public access to lobby groups Definition of lobbyist - one who devotes at least 20% of a client’s or employers time to lobbying activities

Requires registration clerk of the House and secretary of the Senate Report clients, issues and the agency or house they lobbied Estimate the amount they are paid by each client

2006 The Legislative Transparency Accountability Act Result of scandal involving a lobbyist Jack Abramoff Tax evasion, bribing public officials DeLay RTX, Ney ROH Bars lobbyists from buying gifts and meals for legislators Loophole: firms they work for were not barred

Lobbyists were to file more frequent reports more detailed reports on their activities post on a public domain Open Secrets.org

The New Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 Congressional regulations on lobbying activities : Anyone who spends 20% of his or her time influencing legislation Any organization spending $1000/quarter or more on influencing legislation.

3. Any individual who is paid. more than $2500/quarter for 3. Any individual who is paid more than $2500/quarter for work as a lobbyist Closed the revolving door – Senators have to wait 2 years before being able to lobby Congress (was one) Cabinet Sec also have to wait 2 years.

6. Prohibits senior staff in. Congress from lobbying their 6. Prohibits senior staff in Congress from lobbying their former offices for 1 year. 7. Amended Senate and House ethic rules regarding lobbyist sponsored events, travel, employment negotiations, finances.

2009 Recovery Act: Lobbying Rules – Ex order; Act of Con Restrictions extend to all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists Anyone influencing the process Expansion of information posted on Internet for all American’s to see

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/ Watchdog group - open secrets Allows public access to who or what is behind a lobby’s agenda

Executive Branch Lobbying Departments set up for different interests Influence policy decisions at the beginning stages Pharmaceutical corps concern with drugs from overseas Appeal to Fed Drug Agency FDA Safety issue Lack of control

Judiciary Branch Lobbying Amicus curiae: friend of the court briefs Legal argument filed by someone who is not part of the suit but has an interest in the outcome

Lobbying of the courts has increased over last 30 years by interest groups NAACP: had trouble getting anything through Congress due to Southern influence Court system best alternative to pursue it’s interests using 14th Amendment

3. Elections PAC’s ability to raise and spend $ for political purposes Funnel $ into campaigns that support interest group Endorse candidates Flood Congress with letters, e-mails etc. Grassroots campaigns

Unconventional Means Protests, Civil disobedience, Dem. Operation Rescue: surrounded abortion clinics trying to prevent patient from entering Congress - law restricting how far away protesters must be and can not touch Civil Rights Movement Social Media

Pluralism vs Elitism Interest Groups vs Political Parties How is power and influence distributed in a political process?

Pluralist Theory Power is broadly (& unequally) distributed among many organized interest groups Should be many diverse & competing centers of power Marketplace for ideas Diverse among a variety of eco & ideological groups

Linkage between groups Popularly elected political officials Exercise as leaders in policy areas No single power elite, many and diverse competing power elites Flaw: what about the people who are not organized? Those who are not organized do not have any influence

Elitist Theory Political power held by small & wealthy group Share similar values & interests From similar backgrounds Top leaders recruited from same social group

Corporate & foundations directorates, old school ties etc. Link together top leaders Power elite: effectively dictates goals for policy making Control over the societies economic resources Personal and professional positions

Interest Groups vs. Political Parties Not resp. for administration of gov More homogeneous Smaller membership Common interests Make claims without regard to broader interest or effects Resp. for admin of gov. Heterogeneous Large membership Diverse interests - coalition of interests Compromise - need to make broader claims due to diversity