Chapter Seven Interest Groups

Learning Outcomes Define an interest group and explain the constitutional and political reasons why so many groups are found in the United States. Explain why an individual may or may not decide to join an interest group and the benefits that membership can confer. Describe different types of interest groups and the sources of their political power. Identify the direct and indirect techniques that interest groups use to influence government decisions.

Introduction Interest group: an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers Lobbyist: organization or individual who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government

Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville “... in no country of the world has the principle of association been more successfully used or applied to a greater multitude of objectives than in America.” Interests groups form to Solve civic problems Establish social relationships Represent economic or political interests

Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon James Madison foresaw importance of multiple organizations in political system Protects minority views Pluralism Two-thirds of all Americans belong to at least one group Protestors demonstrate their opposition to the proposed XL Pipeline in front of the White House in August, 2011. (Rena Schild/Shutterstock.com) Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon Interest groups and social movements Demands change in political, economic or social system Movements indicate first signs of discontent Women’s suffrage Civil rights movement Immigrant workers and La Raz Human Rights Campaign Occupy movement

Social Movement Interest Groups Table 7-1

Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon Why so many? First Amendment guarantees Federal system opportunities Racial, ethnic and religious diversity Cesar Estrada Chavez, leader of the farmworker rights movement. He founded the National Farm Workers Association to secure the rights of migrant farmworkers to better wages and living conditions. One of the tactics he used was a consumer boycott against food producers. (Peter Silva/ZUMA Press/Newscom) Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups? Unorganized or latent interests Collective good Free rider problem Solidary incentives Companionship Sense of belonging Association with like-minded people

Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups? Material incentives Economic well-being and opportunities Protect interests regarding government policy Purposive incentives Advocate political goals through joint action Advocate social goals through joint action Way to participate in democratic society

Types of Interest Groups Economic groups (most common type) Business interest groups Agricultural interest groups Labor interest groups Public-employee unions Interest groups of professionals The unorganized poor

Decline in Union Membership, 1948 to Present Figure 7-1 As shown in this figure, the percentage of the total workforce that is represented by labor unions has declined precipitously over the last 40 years. Note, however, that in contrast to the decline in union representation in the private sector, the percentage of government workers who are unionized has increased significantly since about 1960. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008.)

Types of Interest Groups Environmental groups National Audubon Society Sierra Club National Wildlife Federation Greenpeace Society Young people work together to clean up a creek that has been polluted by run-off and flooding. (© Jim West/Alamy) Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

Types of Interest Groups Public-interest groups Nader organizations Other public-interest groups American Civil Liberties Union League of Women Voters Common Cause MoveOn

Types of Interest Groups Other interest groups Single-interest interest groups National Rifle Association PETA AARP Foreign governments

“One Issue” Interest Groups Table 7-9

What Makes an Interest Group Powerful? Size and resources Large number of members paying dues = strong financial base (AARP) Some are small in number, but have significant financial resources (Big Pharma) Leadership Develop effective strategies Charisma and public image Cohesiveness Motivation and commitment of members is key

Profiles of Power: Four Influential Interest Groups Figure 7.2

Profiles of Power: Four Influential Interest Groups 19 Figure 7.2 19

Interest Group Strategies Access to government officials essential Direct techniques Lobbying Rating systems Building alliances Campaign assistance Bipartisan Campaign Finance Act Citizens United v. FEC

Legislative Scorecards Interest groups from every imaginable ideological point of view issue scorecards of individual legislators’ voting records as they relate to the organization’s agenda. Shown here are two such scorecards. How much value can voters place on these kinds of ratings? (Left: Courtesy of Pat Carlson, Texas Eagle Forum, http://www.texaseagle.org; Right: Courtesy of Sierra Club Minnesota North Star Chapter, http:// minnesota.sierraclub.org)

Interest Group Strategies Indirect techniques Generating public pressure Use of polls “Climate control” Constituents as lobbyists Unconventional pressure Boston Tea party March on Washington WTO protests

Climate Control? To protest a proposed law that would have placed new regulations on the internet, SOPA, Wikipedia shut its site down for one day. This screen shot captures the thank you message posted by Wikipedia after the black out concluded. (Dusit/Shutterstock.com)

Regulating Lobbyists Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946) Results of the 1946 Act Defined lobbyist Only full-time lobbyists must register Foreign Agent Registration Act (1938)

Regulating Lobbyists Reforms of 1995 Lobbyist redefined Stricter registration requirements Semiannual reports Foreign entities must register Excludes grassroots & tax-exempt organizations

Regulating Lobbyists Recent lobbying scandals Jack Abramoff case Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007) Tighter requirements (but still loopholes) New rules on congressional gifts and trips

Interest Groups and Representative Democracy Middle-and upper-class bias “Elite within an elite” leadership Most powerful: business, union, trade and professional groups Public-interest and civil rights groups may struggle More elitist than pluralist

Interest Groups and Representative Democracy Interest group influence Not all have equal influence Different combination of resources Public support important Most successful often focus on specific issue

Community Unites With Chicago Teacher’s Union Thousands of Chicago teachers rally in Union Park in support of their leaders. The teachers were on strike for the first time in 19 years over a new contract and issues of pay and teacher evaluation. (Todd Bannor/Alamy)