Chapter 16 Interest Groups

Please Record Your Answers to the Following on a Separate Sheet of Paper For each of the following, please define and give an example (real or hypothetical). Please consider the FEC’s involvement as well as any other subtle differences between: An interest group A PAC A 527 committee

David Truman’s theory explaining why interest groups form is called Pluralism Federalism Disturbance theory Chaos theory Elite theory 30

The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in government is Elite power politics Socialism Pluralism Rational choice institutionalism 30

Interest Group Theories Pluralism All interests should be free to compete for influence in government Competition among a vast number of groups Federalist 10 – factions are bad, but a necessary evil which is controllable by a large republic

Interest Group Theories Elite Theory Too many interests/groups, but many do not matter AT ALL Power held by business groups – MONEY

Which of the following is NOT an example of a linkage institution? Media Interest Groups Political Parties Supreme Court 30

What is an Interest Group? Organized groups that try to influence public and government policy in regards to a specific interest/goal. Linkage Institution – links people and government together, giving a voice to the people in the political process Freedom to assemble, protest government for change, and speak freely about their interests (1st Amendment)

Interest Groups Interest groups use lobbyists to influence public policy/Congress/passage of laws Interest groups can “access,” or influence many points and levels of government

Business groups, labor unions, trade associations, and other such groups are examples of ________ interest groups Multi-issue Single issue Public Economic 30

Types of Interest Groups Public: “seek a collective good, benefit all” i.e. civil rights, consumer protection, environment Common Cause Economic: promote the economic interests of its members. Big three: business groups, labor organizations, and organizations representing the interests of farmers

Participant Leaders Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Christian Coalition, National Organization of Women, and other such groups are examples of ________ interest groups Multi-issue Single-issue Public Economic 30

Types of Interest Groups Single-Issue: Founded around a single guiding principle (but usually involved in a wide range of issues) i.e. Army of God (Right to life), NARAL, NRA Multi-Issue: Founded around a variety of guiding principles i.e. NOW, AARP, NAACP

American Association of Retired People (AARP)

Almost all interest group lobbying includes Running advertisements Endorsing candidates Contacting government officials Electing officials 30

What Do Interest Groups Do? Lobbying Congress Assert their influence on policy-making process Make their interest heard and understood to those in a position to influence governmental policies Close relationships with Senators/House members

The three points of an iron triangle include An independent agency, a state, and a member of Congress An administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee A cabinet department, an interest group, and the House majority leader A regulatory commission, a corporation, and the White House Office The Executive Office of the President, an interest group, and a Senate committee 30

Iron Triangles Stable relationships and interactions that occur between a bureaucratic agency, interest group, and congressional committee They receive political support from Congress, bureaucracy, or White House The three groups work together around a specific issue

What Do Interest Groups Do? Lobbying Executive Branch Target president, White House staff, and bureaucracy Influence policy decisions and receive low regulations on their “issue”

Which of the following is true of amicus curiae briefs? They are used by interest groups to lobby courts They are used exclusively by liberal interest groups They are used exclusively by conservative interest groups They are now unconstitutional They are the means by which a litigant seeks Supreme Court review of a lower court decision :01

What Do Interest Groups Do? Lobbying Courts (litigation) Amicus Curiae: “friend of the court” briefs. Most major cases in the Supreme Court have been sponsored by an interest group. Influence who is nominated to federal courts Role in confirmation hearings

What Do Interest Groups Do? Lobbying Direct lobbying: contact between lobbyists and policymakers Campaign donations in exchange for votes on that particular groups interests Grassroots lobbying/mobilization Mobilize individuals through door-to-door informational or petition drives Hoping lawmakers respond to those pressures Influence legislation

One of the best strategies that interest groups can use to achieve their goals is Lobbying members of congress to make small changes to existing policy Pressing for changes in high-profile public policies Using the judiciary to invalidate federal legislation Encouraging states to use their Tenth Amendment rights and ignore federal law Running candidates for office :30

Interest Groups and Elections How interest groups influence elections Form PACs to donate to candidate, parties that will pursue their interests Independent expenditures: money given directly to candidates or parties Regulated by Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act Endorsements/recruitment of candidates Will support candidate who best represents the groups’ issues 527s Pool funds to promote specific issues, which in turn help candidates Issue advocacy

Techniques Interest Groups Use to Influence Elections Campaign Contributions (PACs) Pool funds to donate to incumbents Endorsements/recruitment of candidates Will support candidate who best represents the groups’ issues 527 Pool funds to promote specific issues, which in turn help candidates Issue advocacy Independent expenditures Limited contributions directly to candidates

Interest groups use political action committees (PACs) to Provide expertise to members of Congress Lobby the executive branch Raise and spend money on election campaigns Generate research that can be used to influence public opinion Hire policy experts who will promote their views in the media :01

What makes Interest Groups successful? Size (members) Members and ability to fundraise Rank and file members: don’t actively participate Collective good: all groups provide something of value that cannot be withheld from a nonmember Free rider problem: members fail to join a group because they will enjoy the benefits sought by the group without joining Leaders: Pat Robertson (Christian Coalition) Cesar Chavez (National Farm Workers Association)

Attempts to Reform Lobbying/Interest Groups Lobbying Disclosure Act (1995) Defined lobbyist: Devotes 20% of a client’s or employer’s time to lobbying activities Required lobbyists to register Report their clients/issues and agency they lobbied Disclosure of contributions, funding, or activities

Participant Leaders Points Participant

What percentage of your current points would you like to wager on the next question? 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Interest groups engage in all of the following EXCEPT Testifying before congressional committees Sponsoring issue advocacy ads Lobbying federal agencies Filing federal lawsuits Using the franking privilege 30