Interest Groups

The Role of Interest Groups An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas. Interest groups and political parties promote U.S. democracy by linking citizens to the political process. Interest groups are distinct 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.

Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralism and Group Theory Groups provide a key link between the people and the government. Groups compete and no one group will become too dominant. Groups play by the “rules of the game.” Groups weak in one resource may use another. i.e. all legitimate groups can affect public policy. Lobbying is open to all so is not a problem.

Fundamental Goals of Interest Groups Influence public policy Influence Congress/government Change laws

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

How Groups Try to Shape Policy Lobbying “communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental decisionmaker with the hope of influencing his decision” Two basic types of lobbyists: Regular, paid employees of a group Temporary hires

An obvious question… Where are most interest groups located? Washington D.C. Examples: environmentalists, nurses, automobile manufacturers, automobile assembly-line workers

How Groups Try to Shape Policy Lobbyists: are a source of information help politicians plan political strategies for legislation help politicians plan political strategies for reelection campaigns are a source of ideas and innovations.

Narrowing it down… The two major ways interest groups achieve their goals is through: Access to/influence policymakers Have like-minded people/policy advocated in office.

The Interest Group Explosion

Types of Interest Groups Economic Interests Labor Agriculture Business Environmental Interests Equality Interests Consumer and Public Interest Lobbies Many interest groups are…ideological interest groups—appeal of coherent and, often, controversial principles