Interest Groups AP Government Unit 4

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Presentation transcript:

Interest Groups AP Government Unit 4

“Linkage Institutions” Parties, Elections, Interest Groups and the Media are all considered “linkage institutions” in our country What is a linkage institution? Institutions that help link, or connect, citizens to their government. It helps give citizens a way to participate and make their voices heard as well as to learn more about their government and its leaders.

“Linkage Institutions”

What is an Interest Group?? Interest groups are organizations that seek a collective good, and which will not selectively or materially benefit the members. “An interest group is an organization made up of people who share common objectives and who actively attempt to influence government policymakers through direct and indirect methods.” “Interest Group is an organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals.”

What do Interest Groups do? Try to influence public policy Lobbyists try to persuade public officials to support (or oppose) a specific view or policy Interest groups (typically through PACs and “Super PACs”) can influence election outcomes Every branch and every level of government is affected by interest groups

Why are interest groups powerful? Size More members = $$$ = power Diffusion More area = more diversity = more power Organization Centralization = power Resources $/prestige/members

How do interest groups function? Mass mailing Litigation Court cases Amicus curiae brief Mass media Boycotting Electioneering Working for a candidate/party/etc Initiative/recall/referendum Lobbying

What SHOULD Interest Groups do?: Promote interest in public affairs Provide useful information Serve as watchdogs Represent the interests of citizens

Interest Groups have been criticized for… Ignoring the wider interest of society Producing confusion and deadlock in Congress Generating so much emotion that they make reasoned discussion difficult Having too much influence

Political Parties vs. Interest Groups Nominate candidates Want to win elections Concerned with many issues Interest Groups Don’t nominate Want to influence policies Concerned with one issue

What is a Lobbyist? A Lobbyist is someone whose task it is to influence legislation or policymaking Generally works for an interest group Lobbyist are employed by/acts for an organized interest group to try and sway… Legislative branch (committees) Executive branch (bureaucracy)

What do Lobbyist do? Influence government decisions (legislation) Provide information to the government Lobbyist = policy specialist Testify at hearings Help write legislation http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/168449/may-13-2008/better-know-a-lobby---gun-control

Who are lobbyist? Former government employees “Revolving Door” Cannot lobby that from which you came Congress to lobbyist is illegal…sort of Iron Triangles = relationship between Interest groups Congressional committees/subcommittees Government agencies

Lobbyist – YAY or NAY $ talks $ represented Reduce equality Polarizing Provide useful information Extend participation in government Representation based on interest 1st Amendment $ talks $ represented Reduce equality Polarizing Can further “log jams”

Lobbying since 1998

The Development of American Interest Groups Interest groups have been part of the American political landscape since the country’s founding. The open nature of the American government invites organized political participation. James Madison in Federalist #10 argued that no one group should get control over other groups.

The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups National Groups Emerge (1830-89) The beginnings of lobbying and interest groups Anti-Slavery groups Temperance Groups The Grange The Progressive Era (1890-1920) Important groups created Organized Labor The American Federation of Labor (AFL) (1886) Business and Trade Associations The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) (1895)

The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups The Rise of the Interest Group State (1960-70) A new sense of progressivism ACLU, Common Cause, NAACP Religious and Ideological Groups Christian Coalition, Moral Majority Business Groups, Trade and Professional Associations Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable Organized Labor AFL-CIO Teamsters

Why People Join Interest Groups Solidary Incentives Social contacts between groups with similar interests/experiences League of Women Voters, NAACP, PTSA, American Legion Material Incentives For economic reasons AARP, Farmers Groups, Labor Unions Purposive Incentives For moral causes / crusades Right to-Life, Pro-Choice, Greenpeace

Who Joins Interest Groups? Upper class interest groups- Big Business More affluent join and are active White collar workers Professional groups Working class interest groups- Big Labor Labor unions have been very powerful in past The AFL-CIO broke up in 2004, cutting big labor’s power

Why are interest groups growing? Economic developments New issues, new views, new lobby Government policies New agencies = new entry points Diversity Many people = many viewpoints = many interest groups Weakening political parties Technology Ease of access to potential groups

Let’s find out more about these groups: The National Rifle Association The Christian Coalition The AARP The NAACP The National Organization for Women National Right to Life Committee The Sierra Club American Medical Association

Who are They? Who Do They Support?? Interest Group Area of Concern/Cause Who are They? Who Do They Support?? AARP -American Association of Retired Persons Benefits for retired people- Important voting block! Both; Middle-aged Republicans; Very old people Democrats AFL-CIO Workplace issues and benefits for workers Labor Union/Blue collar workers; Usually votes for Democrats American Bar Association Concerned with legal issues such as caps on awards to victims; malpractice Lawyers; Usually Republicans but not always ACLU-American Civil Liberties Union Concerned with Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties Can be both but more associated with Democrats/Libertarians AMA- American Med. Association Medical issues; Stem cell research; malpractice Doctors; Usually Republicans Amnesty International Concerned about the treatment of prisoners worldwide; political prisoners Usually Democrats AIPAC Also B'nai B'rith ) Civil rights; Interested in Israel issues Jewish Americans; Mostly Democrats Children's Defense Fund Issues involving children- insurance, Mostly Democrats Christian Coalition Religious issues; pro-life An important voting block! Republicans

Who are They? Who Do They Support?? Interest Group Area of Concern/Cause Who are They? Who Do They Support?? Common Cause Reform in government; watchdogs Both Focus on the Family Family- oriented issues; pro-life Republicans League of Women Voters Voting issues; Debates Both but many are Democrats MADD-Mothers Against Drunk Driving Concerned about teenage driving safety; age laws Parents/moms; Both NAACP –Nat’l Assoc. for the Advancement of Colored People Concerned with issues voting, and other civil rights issues; An important voting block! African Americans; Democrats NEA- National Education Association Education issues; protect teacher jobs; generally against NCLB or want to reform NCLB Teachers- High % usually vote for Democrats NOW- Nat’l Org. for Women Women’s issues; Pro-Choice Women; Democrats NRA- National Rifle Association Pro Guns/2nd Amendment Issues; Less restrictive gun laws and gun control Republicans/Libertarians National Right to Life Organization Pro- Life/ Anti Abortion National Wilderness Society Environmental Issues Mostly Democrats- Some Republicans Sierra Club Mostly Democrats Veterans of Foreign Wars/American Legion Veterans; Concerned with issues about benefits Both but generally Republicans

Facts About the AARP Among those over 50, AARP members are more likely to vote than nonmembers. % of Americans Registered to vote: 85% % of AARP Members Registered to Vote- 90% % of American who always vote in local elections: 50% % of AARP Members who always vote in Local Elections- 57% % of Americans who always vote in presidential elections 77% % of AARP Members who always vote in presidential elections- 84%

Others- not on test! National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Coalition for the Homeless National Education Association (NEA) National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW) National Recycling Coalition National Resources Defense Council National Right to Life National Rifle Association National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Water Resources Association Nuclear Waste Citizens Coalition Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) PeaceNet People For the American Way People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Physicians for a National Health Program Planned Parenthood Public Citizen Public Interest Research Groups Service Employees International Union Sheet Metal Workers International Association Sierra Club Society for Electronic Access (SEA) Society for Human Resource Management Taxpayers Against Fraud Teledemocracy Action News + Network United Autoworkers Workers (UAW) United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) United Mine Workers of America (UMW) United States Space Foundation Vietnam Veterans of America Women's Legal and Public Policy Information WomensNet AFL-CIO Alliance for Justice American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Bankers Association (ABA) American Bar Association American Civil Liberties Union American Chemical Society American Conservative Union American Farm Bureau Federation American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Federation of Teachers (AFT) American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) American Israel Public Affairs Committee American Legion American Petroleum Institute American Postal Workers Union (APWU) American Public Welfare Association (APWA) Americans Against Political Corruption Americans for Democratic Action Amnesty International Animal Rights Coalition Catholics United for Life Center for Democracy and Technology Center for Public Integrity Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Children's Defense Fund Child Labor Coalition Child Welfare League of America Christian Coalition Citizens Against Government Waste Citizens for Budget Reform (CBR) Citizens for Tax Justice Communications Workers of America (CWA) Others- not on test! GreenNet (environmental) Greenpeace International Habitat for Humanity Hollywood Women's Political Committee - HWPC International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers International Brotherhood of Teamsters International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers LaborNet League of Conservation Voters League of Women Voters' Voter Education Project Majority '96 Militia Watchdog National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) National Air Traffic Controllers Association National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Association for Public Interest Law National Association of Arab Americans National Association of Baby Boomers National Association of Broadcasters National Association of Community Action Agencies National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) ConflictNet Concord Coalition Congressional Accountability Project Contract with America Bowling Green State University Coalition Against the Contract [ "Contract on America" (book by Ann-Marie Rosato) Council for Responsible Genetics Death Penalty Information Center EcoNet Electronic Frontier Foundation EMILY's List Empower America Environmental Defense Fund Family Farm Alliance Federation For American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Feminist Majority Foundation Online Friends of the Earth Fund for Constitutional Government Generation X Coalition Government Purchasing Project

Sites for Interest Group Research California State University @ Chico http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/kfountain/ About.com http://usgovinfo.about.com/blorgs.htm

Economic Interest Groups Most interest groups are based on economics Businesses (create favorable environment for business to prosper) Agriculture (work for price supports from gov’t, but also limit gov’t influence) Labor (Call public attention to the legitimate needs of working people. Accomplishments …eight-hour work day …child labor laws …minimum wage laws ...workplace health & safety laws) Professional (protect and advance their professional field -- to do this, they...publish journals…give awards for excellence ...communicate their opinions to gov’t officials)

Other Types of Interest Groups Cause-based (National Wildlife Federation, League of Women Voters, National Rifle Association, MADD, Emily’s List) Concerned with the welfare of people (AARP – senior citizens, NAACP – African Americans) Religious Organizations (Christian Coalition, American Jewish Congress)

Interest Group Techniques Direct Techniques: Lobby at Capitol Hill Have private meetings Meet at social occasions Testify at hearings Drafting legislation Providing political info Supply nomination suggestions Indirect Techniques: Generating Public Pressure Use public pressure on “hot button” issues Use constituents to call lawmakers Build alliances with other groups

Interest Group Techniques The AARP: Look at an interest group in action: https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-2016/are-you-ready-to-vote-guide-to-election-2016.html

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? Leaders – having a prominent leader aids in the reputation of the group and enhances a group's ability to attain its goals. Patrons and Funding – funding is critical. Without money, it is hard to get your message out. Members – a group must have members to be successful. Organizing members allows for strength in numbers and pooling of financial support.

Where does ALL the $$ Come From in Interest Groups?? Member dues Federal grants Direct mail appeals for cash Internet sites Dinners and fundraisers PAC’s !!!!

Political Action Committees A popular term for a political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. Most PACS represent business, labor or ideological interests. PACS are the so-called “political arms” of interest groups PACS are used to elect or defeat government officials and promote legislation The “revolving door” PACS hire former members of Congress to lobby their old friends, committees, etc… This is legal but …Is this Ethical???

The Birth of PACS In 1944, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, (CIO) wanted to help President Franklin Roosevelt get re-elected. Standing in their way was the Smith Connally Act of 1943, which made it illegal for labor unions to contribute funds to federal candidates. The CIO then urged individual union members to voluntarily contribute money directly to the Roosevelt campaign. It worked very well and PACs, or political action committees were born.

Political Action Committees (PAC’s) A PAC must register six months in advance, have at least fifty contributors, and give to at least five candidates. Corporations, unions, or other associations may establish PAC’s. There are over 4,000 PACs registered with the Federal Election Commission. PAC’s gave over $217 million to congressional candidates in 1996 $373 million in 2010!!!

Money from PACS PACs may receive up to $5,000 from any one individual, PAC or party committee per calendar year. PACs can give $5,000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general or special). They can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC. PACS support candidates with campaign money ½ sponsored by corporations; 1/10 by unions 1/3 liberal and 2/3 conservative (2001) Incumbents get the most PAC money!!

Money Limits Individuals can give up to $2600 to a candidate but PACS can give $5,000 to a candidate Federal money will match presidential campaign money but…. Parties need at least 5% of vote in previous year for presidential candidate to receive funds If that doesn’t happen you need PAC’s!!! http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/379369/march-30-2011/colbert-pac---trevor-potter

Important PAC’s The Laborers International Union of North America The National Association of Realtors The National Rifle Association (NRA) Microsoft Corp Exxon Mobil EMILY’s List- Early money is like yeast – makes the Dough rise (Democratic women) Human Rights Campaign

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/index.asp

If you give you shall receive!! Where does all the $$ Go? AKA If you give you shall receive!!

Super PACs Super PACs are a new kind of political action committee created in July 2010 following the outcome of a federal court case known as SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission (after the Citizens United case). Technically they are known as “independent expenditure-only committees” http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/382014/april-14-2011/colbert-super-pac---trevor-potter

Super PACs Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from Corporations Unions Associations and individuals They spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates. Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis -- the Super PAC's choice -- as a traditional PAC would

Birth of a Super PAC http://time.com/3600116/stephen-colbert-report-finale-super-pac/ https://sunlightfoundation.com/2015/09/30/its-been-four-years-since-stephen-colbert-created-a-super-pac-where-did-all-that-money-go/

Great Site for Research http://www.opensecrets.org/index.php

Acts Regulating Lobbyists 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act Lobbyists must register and file reports 1978 Ethics in Government Act Officials must disclose finances and employment after leaving government service 1995 The Lobbying Disclosure Act Must Register and Report clients Estimate how much they are paid and report the % to the government FYI- Approximately 4 Million Dollars were spent lobbying EACH member of Congress in 2005!

Jack Abramoff Scandal “Super-Lobbyist” Abramoff plead guilty to corruption charges in 2006 Abramoff pleaded guilty to defrauding the Native American tribes that were his clients, to tax evasion and to conspiring to bribe public officials He illegally gave gifts and made campaign donations to legislators in return for votes or support of legislation Several federal officials were also accused and found guilty in the scandal http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/capitol/watch.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7387331n

CARTOONS!!!