Interest Groups

Learning Objective Explore the Ways in Which Interest Groups try to influence Government Policies

What is the role of the FEC? What did the Citizen’s United case do? 207

527 and campaign Finance What is the difference between hard and soft money?

Super PACS PAC’s = Hard money limits (see chart 7.1) Super PACs or 527 organizations have no funding limits Example from Colbert

Current Event Koch Brothers’ Budget of $889 Million for 2016 Is on Par With Both Parties’ Spending NYT 2015 NYT Interactive on 2016 Spending

1) What is the relationship between interest groups and the political process? In other words, what do interest groups do? (231)

3) What are the different types of interest groups 3) What are the different types of interest groups? (graphic on page 232)

Types of Interest Groups Economic groups– big business Labor organizations Citizen groups Ex. Sierra Club, Family Research Council Single Issue Groups Ex. National Rifle Association, National Right to Life, NORML

)There are four forms of interest group organization )There are four forms of interest group organization. How are they different from each other? What are some examples of each type? (232 – 233)

Types of Groups Centralized groups- Interest groups that have headquarters usually in Washington, D.C Ex. AARP Confederations- Interest groups made up of several independent local organizations that provide much of their funding and hold most of the power Ex National Automobile Dealership Mass associations- Interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members EX Sierra Club Peak Associations- Interest groups whose members are businesses or another organizations rather than individuals

4) How do interest groups attract members? (233-234)

Attracting Members Solidary Benefits-Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like- minded people Purposive Benefits-Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal Coercion- A method of eliminating non participation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation Selective Incentives- Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate,

7) Briefly describe each of the “inside strategies” that interest groups utilize. (239-242)

Inside Strategies Direct Lobbying Drafting Legislation and Regulations Research Hearings Litigation (lawsuits)

8) Briefly describe each of the “outside strategies” that interest groups utilize. (243-246)

Outside Strategies Grassroots lobbing (ex. Letter campaign) Criticism = Astroturf lobbing Mobilizing Public Opinion Electioneering See Chart Pg. 244 and 245

9) What qualities determine the effectiveness of interest groups 9) What qualities determine the effectiveness of interest groups? Explain why. (248-249) 10) Explain (summarize) the section “How Groups Succeed.” (249-250)