INFLUENCES ON THE GOVERNMENT Assess the validity of this statement: “In no country of the world has the principle of association been more successfully used, or applied to a greater multitude of objects, than in America…[I]n the United States associations are established to promote public order, commerce, industry, morality, and religion” -Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835 INFLUENCES ON THE GOVERNMENT

Lobbying: The process of influencing public and government policy at all levels: federal, state, and local -Farlex Dictionary Advocating for an interest that is affected by the gov’t Protected by 1st Amendment Lobbyists provide lawmakers with reliable data and accurate assessments of a bill's effect The role lobbyists play in the legislative arena can be compared to that of lawyers in the judicial arena. Just as lawyers provide the Trier of Fact (judge or jury) with points of view on the legal issues pertaining to a case, so do lobbyists provide local, state, and federal policymakers with points of view on public policy issues.

Where and how lobbying occurs Lobbying occurs in the halls of the U.S. Capitol and state legislatures, in boardrooms, in manufacturing plants, at cocktail parties, and in retirement homes. Contemporary lobbying methods include political action committees (PACs), high-tech communication, coalitions among groups and industries, and campaigns to mobilize constituents at the grassroots (local) level. Examples of Lobbyists: kids who want to prevent their favorite neighborhood park from becoming a shopping mall corporations who contribute to a legislator's campaign cities who lobby the state legislature for changes in transportation laws

Lobbying Controversy Although lobbying as a whole serves as a form of “checks-and-balances” and a safeguard on the legislative process, individual lobbyists are not necessarily equal Unlike voters, lobbyists have varying degrees of influence. Influence is proportional to resources—time and money Some people think lobbyists in general have too much power During his 1912 campaign for president, woodrow wilson remarked, "The government of the United States is a foster child of the special interests. It is not allowed to have a will of its own."

Designed to “bridge the gap” between citizen and gov’t Interest Group: a group supporting a common interest and seeking to influence legislation. Designed to “bridge the gap” between citizen and gov’t Citizens communicate their “wants” (policy goals) to government officials like the President, Congress, city council, or state council Strength in numbers is important! While officials in a small community will listen to a group of 100 people advocating for higher safety standards, a large city most likely will not Groups pool resources-time and money-to get their voice heard, so the more members involved, the more influential the group

Examples of Interest Groups Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) United Auto Workers (UAW) National Farmer’s Union (NFU) American Medical Association (AMA)

Controversy: Too Much Power? James Madison referred to factions as groups of people who are unified to promote special interests that were “adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community” - The Federalist #10 However, Madison believed the Constitution would provide a safeguard to counter this problem Discussion question: Is it alright for interest groups to lobby the gov’t to remove other citizens’ freedom?

Discussion Questions 1. Should foreign countries be able to form interest groups to influence US gov’t? 2. Should private foreign companies be able to form interest groups to influence US gov’t?