Chapter 10: Interest Groups Do Interest Groups Help or Hinder American Democracy?

Theories of Interest Group Politics Americans form associations More likely to participate in civic associations More likely to participate in community-service groups More likely to expressed political views via a group

Theories of Interest Group Politics Role of Interest Groups in Politics Organizing to promote an interest Essential part of a democracy Framed in the First Amendment Definition – an organization of people with a similar policy goal or goals who enter the political process at one or more points

Theories of Interest Group Politics Role of Interest Groups in Politics Definition – an organization of people with a similar policy goal or goals who enter the political process at one or more points Federalism State level National level Separation of Powers Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

Theories of Interest Group Politics Political Party vs. Interest Group Parties Attempt to control policy by getting elected to office Generalists Must get most votes Must appeal to more people Must address many topics

Theories of Interest Group Politics Political Party vs. Interest Group Interest Groups Attempt to control policy by influencing Those in office The voters Specialists Only interested in one topic Must appeal only to one group

Theories of Interest Group Politics Explosion of Interest Groups An organization for nearly every conceivable interest Advanced technology reaches more people

Theories of Democracy Pluralism Many centers of power Each fighting for its own cause Group theory of politics IG s provide a key link between people and government Groups compete against each other

Theories of Democracy Pluralism Group theory of politics Groups compete against each other No one group can dominate Usually play “by the rules” There are various resources groups can rely on Money Members

Theories of Democracy Elitism Most groups are very weak Power is held by the few People Groups Institutions Generally accepted by the public in recent years

Theories of Democracy Hyperpluralism The system is out of control Very many groups Government defers to groups to get votes

Theories of Democracy Hyperpluralism Iron Triangles Interlocking power of Interest groups Government agencies Government institutions One goal  protect self interest

Iron Triangles

Theories of Democracy Hyperpluralism Issue Networks MANY groups, agencies and institutions Interwoven connections Iron Triangles on steroids!

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Size Potential Group – those who would benefit from the group’s work Actual Group – those who actually join and support the group

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Size Logic of (in)action Collective good – everyone benefits Free-Rider problem – if everyone benefits anyway, why put out your own resources?

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Size Logic of (in)action Big potential group? – Let someone do the work Lots of work for small sliver of the profits Offer SELECTIVE BENEFITS to members – perks for paying members only

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Size Logic of (in)action Small potential group? – Everyone has to do it! Lots of work for large slice of the profits

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Intensity Psychological advantage when networking Passionate membership Single-issue group Narrow interest Less likely to compromise Tenacious to get goals realized

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Financial Resources Biased to the wealthy? Big interest doesn’t always get what it wants No observable effect on policy outcomes Other resources (size or intensity) can be just as effective Competition between big interest groups Often times coalitions of richer and poorer groups blur conclusions

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Lobbying Communication Between a person and a government official Not acting on his own behalf Hoping to influence policy

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Lobbying Types Permanent Hired by an interest group Represent the group’s interest Temporary Hired by a low-budget group For a specified (short) period

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Lobbying Regulations on lobbyists Must register with the Senate File report how much they were paid for lobbying Reports are made public

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Lobbying Helping officials Source of information Plan strategy To get legislation passed To get reelected Source of new ideas and innovations

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Electioneering Helping candidates Contributions Rallying membership support

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Electioneering PACs (political action committees) An association (group) Business association Labor union Civic groups

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Electioneering Raising money purely for political purposes Assisting politicians who support their views Issues “report cards” on politicians Mobilizing volunteers

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Litigating Go to court to get specific rulings Often used when cause is controversial Majorities in legislatures may not endorse the change Courts uphold the rights of the minorities Used extensively in Civil Rights Movement

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Litigating Assist in a case that isn’t theirs, but reflects their values File amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief offer additional research

How Groups Try to Shape Policy – Strategies Going Public Try to keep a clean public image Needs public to be on their side

Types of Interest Groups Economic Interests Influence government policies in business and industry Regulations Subsidies Tax policy

Types of Interest Groups Economic Interests Labor Working conditions Fair wages and promotions Establish Union Shops Fight against Right-to-Work laws Power Blue collar labor peaked in the mid-50s Expanded in the public sector

Types of Interest Groups Economic Interests Business Increasingly well-organized High investments in lobbying and lobbyists Making PAC contributions

Types of Interest Groups Environmental Interests Try to influence policy on nature Did I really need to explain it?

Types of Interest Groups Equality Interests Equal protection under the law Equality Voting Housing Employment Education

Types of Interest Groups Consumer and Other Public Interest Lobbies Seek a collective good which benefits the society as a whole Needs a policy entrepreneur Spearhead the movement Collective good makes it difficult to draw followers without the entrepreneur

Incentive to join Solidary Incentive Sense of pleasure Status Companionship Usually a coalition of local chapters

Incentive to join Material Incentive Money or valued services offered Lure people to join by offering special deals Incentive to join

Incentive to join Purposive Incentive The appeal of goals to get people to join Ideological IG – Based on personal principles Public-interest lobby – based on the belief that benefits will spread out to all in public, not just members

Interest Groups and the Scope of Government Americans are individualistic but also join groups in great numbers Interest groups expand the scope of government Protecting existing policy Creating new policy