Interest Groups Chapter 11 Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Thirteenth AP* Edition Edwards/Wattenberg/Lineberry Chapter 11 Interest Groups Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Bellringer 3/14 One of the main differences between American political parties and interest groups is that A. interest groups are concerned with more issues B. interest groups concentrate on only one policy arena C. political parties run candidates for office D. interest groups limit their membership E. political parties are policy specialists Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

The Role of Interest Groups Interest group: an organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals Interest groups distinguishable from parties. Political parties fight election battles; interest groups do not field candidates for office but may choose sides. Interest groups are policy specialists; political parties are policy generalists. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralist Theory Politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. Elite Theory Societies are divided along class lines and an upper-class elite rules, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization. Hyperpluralist Theory Groups are so strong that government is weakened. This is an extreme, exaggerated form of pluralism. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralism and Group Theory – competing groups are evidence that influence is widely dispersed. Groups provide a key link between the people and the government. Groups compete and no one group will become too dominant. Groups weak in one resource may use another. Lobbying is open to all so is not problematical. http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/billsum.php?id=hr2-114 Law Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Theories of Interest Group Politics Elites and the Denial of Pluralism Real power is held by relatively few. The largest corporations hold the most power. Other groups may win many minor policy battles, but elites prevail when it comes to big policy decisions. Lobbying is a problem because it benefits the few at the expense of the man http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/top.php?indexType=l&showYear=2015 Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

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Theories of Interest Group Politics Hyperpluralism and Interest Group Liberalism The hyperpluralist critique Groups have become too powerful as the government tries to appease every interest. Subgovernments aggravate the process. Trying to please every group results in contradictory policies; Subgovernments consist of a network of groups that exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas. Also known as iron triangles Consists of interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees that handle policies FDA Lobbying Legislation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQVUXOhVdFg Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

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What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Many factors affect the success of an interest group Size of the group Its intensity Its financial resources Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? The Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups Potential group: all the people who might be interest group members because they share a common interest Actual group: the part of the potential group consisting of members who actually join Collective good: something of value that cannot be withheld from a group member Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Free-Rider problem: Some people don’t join interest groups because they benefit from the group’s activities without officially joining. Public interest lobbies seek “a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership activities of the organization.” Olson’s law of large groups: “The larger the group, the further it will fall short of providing an optimal amount of a collective good.” Small groups better at organizing and meeting specific goal Overcome Olson’s law by providing selective benefits: Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Intensity Single-Issue groups: groups that focus on a narrow interest, dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics Groups may focus on an emotional issue, providing them with a psychological advantage. Intensity encourages non-conventional means of participation. I.e.- protests Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

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What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Financial Resources Not all groups have equal amounts of money. Monetary donations usually translate into access to the politicians, such as a phone call, meeting, or support for policy. Wealthier groups have more resources—and presumably more access. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

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Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Bellringer 3/15 According to the text, the least effective activity of lobbyists in Congress is A. contributing to campaigns B. providing information C. activating members of Congress to vote on legislation D. converting members of Congress to the lobbyists’ position E. both A and B Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

How Groups Try to Shape Policy Lobbying “communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his decision” (Lester Milbrath) Political persuaders who represent organized groups Two basic types of lobbyists: Regular, paid employees of a group Temporary hires What is lobbying? Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

How Groups Try to Shape Policy Lobbying Lobbyists: are a source of information help plan political strategies for legislation help plan political strategies for reelection campaigns are a source of ideas and innovations Mixed evidence as to whether lobbying works Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

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Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Lobbying Food lobby DC Culture Revolving Door 60 Minutes Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

How Groups Try to Shape Policy Electioneering Direct group involvement in the electoral process Help fund campaigns and get members to work for candidates Political Action Committee (PAC): PACs are used by interest groups to donate money to candidates. PACs help pay the bill for increasing campaign costs. Most PAC money goes to incumbents. Also recruit members to run, issue official endorsements, provide volunteers, send delegates to conventions to influence the platform and spend on independent expenditures. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

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How Groups Try to Shape Policy Litigation If an interest group fails in one arena, the courts may be able to provide a remedy. Interest groups can file amicus curiae briefs to influence a court’s decision. amicus curiae: briefs submitted by a “friend of the court” to raise additional points of view and present information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/fisher-v-university-of-texas-at-austin-2/ Class Action lawsuits permit a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similar situated. Class action suits Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

How Groups Try to Shape Policy Going Public Because public opinion makes its way to policymakers, groups try to: cultivate a good public image to build a reservoir of goodwill with the public use marketing strategies to influence public opinion of the group and its issues advertise to motivate and inform the public about an issue Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

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Types of Interest Groups Economic Environmental Equality Consumers and Public Interest Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Types of Interest Groups Economic Interests: public policy has economic effects through regulations, tax advantages, subsidies, and international trade policy. Labor Union shop v. right-to-work laws Business Different business interests compete on specific issues Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Types of Interest Groups Environmental Interests Promoted pollution control, wildness protection Oppose oil drilling, nuclear power plants, strip mining Equality Interests Consumer and Public Interest Lobbies Seek a collective good Protect children, animals, and the mentally ill Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Limits on Interest Groups Interest groups are protected by the first amendment. Federal regulation of interest groups Lobbyist must report income and expenditures Paid lobbyists must register Campaign finance reforms Limits on gifts No bribery Limits of revolving door appointments Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Understanding Interest Groups Interest Groups and the Scope of Government Interest groups seek to maintain policies and programs that benefit them. Interest groups continue to pressure government to do more things. As the government does more, does this cause the formation of more groups? Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Summary Group theories: pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralism A number of factors influence a group’s success. I.e., being small Interest groups affect policy process through lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and going public. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008