Interest Groups

K Street Is there too much money in US politics? What groups would you associate yourself with? How would you participate? Row of office-buildings in DC Home of interest groups and lobbies Many cleavages between people Many entry points into the system Many opportunities open by weak parties

Birth of Interest Groups Began with independence Exploded in the 1960/70s Broad economic developments Farmers, Unions Government Policies Wars, Professional Organizations Strong Leadership Social Movements, Education, Religious Revivals Expanding Role of Government

Institutional Organizations Non-member groups Led by DC lawyers and public relations experts Represents business and trade associations Governments, foundations, universities Small and specific or large and general If the US Chamber of Commerce collects and spends so much money why do they not get the legislation they want every time?

Membership Organizations Is America a nation of joiners? Religious Civic Political Political efficacy Civic duty What is the incentive to join?

Ideological Interest Groups Coherent and controversial principles Purposive Public Citizen (Nader) Sierra Club (Muir) ACLU Public Interest – benefits nonmembers Most public Timing What is there motive to stay in the public eye? Why do they often prefer hostile administrations?

Incentives Solidary – social rewards Local PTA American Legion League of Women Voters Material – money, goods and services Farm Bureaus AARP NEA Purposive – causes or principles

Staff Influence More influence in solidary and material groups Different than members Publicity for purposive groups Contacts with media Public press releases Crisis lobbies

Social Movements Widely shared demand for change in some aspect of social or political order Look for commonality and differences on the next 3 slides Scandal Public outcry Dramatic activities Coming of age of a new generation

Environmental Movement 1890 – city beautiful 1930 – conservation 1970 – clean water, air, food Many organizations Small, extreme, active Large, moderate, passive

Feminist Movement 1830 – voting, abolition 1890 – voting, prohibition 1970 – ERA 3 kinds of organizations Solidary = middle class, educated, moderate Purposive = local independence, controversy Material = specific benefits Counter movements

Unions 1930 – winning support 1950 – peak membership 2000 – less influential, specific industries Member benefits Public sector employees

Funding Member dues Foundation grants Federal grants and contracts Small, inconsistent Foundation grants Large, few beneficiaries Federal grants and contracts Large, unreported Direct mail New, specialized

Bias Should the American people be concerned about improprieties? Wealthy, well-educated More likely to join More influential Better represented Divided politically Conflicts among elites Resources give clues to legislation

Information Single most important work Too many issues for legislators Power words Facts and data Will they tell the truth? Accountability Relationships

Services Client politics Political cues Ratings system Public support Insider strategy Outsider strategy Grassroots lobbying

Money and PACs Campaign finance reform Reduce amount Creation of PACs How effective is money in American politics? Campaign finance reform Reduce amount Creation of PACs Independence of legislators Legislators have their own PACs Probably does not change votes Gain access to political system

Revolving Door Legislators leaving to become lobbyists Lobbyists joining staffs or private sector Ethics in Government Act (1978) Investigative reporting of abuse Conflict of interest

Trouble Displays, attention, disruption More generally accepted Stop business Force negotiations Enlist support Create martyrs No-win situations

Regulation First Amendment protections 1946 Regulation of Lobbying Act Supreme Court ruling limited authority Direct contact with members Grassroots activity not included Lack of enforcement 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act Reporting of clients and expenditures Justice Department Investigations Tax incentives (exempt status is most important) Revised in 2007 (large fines for not reporting)