Unit 5: The Electoral Process Lecture & Discussion 2: Interest Groups

Enduring Understanding Interest groups are a type of linkage institution, which allows individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers in government.

Objective(s) To explain the function and impact of interest groups on the electoral process and governance.

Do Now Watch the video “Interest Groups and Lobbying” to respond to the prompts. What is an interest group? What is lobbying? Provide an example of an interest group and an issues it may lobby to members of Congress. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-government-and-politics/political-participation/groups-influencing-policymaking/v/interest-groups-and-lobbying

A. Proliferation of Interest Groups K Street: location of offices of the nearly 7,000 organizations represented in Washington, D.C. Reasons the more cleavages there are in society, the greater variety of interests that will exist U.S. Constitution creates multiple access points for groups by establishing the division and separation of powers the growing weakness of political parties in this country

B. Types of SIGs Economic Groups: organizations that seek “private goods” which benefit individuals by offering “material incentives” to members Business: well funded, influential groups that promote the pro-business interests of private companies and corporations, such as tax cuts and deregulatory activities (I.e. NAM) Labor: groups representing unions that promote the interests of American labor force, such as increased wages and better working conditions (AFL-CIO)

B. Types of SIGs Economic Groups: organizations that seek “private goods” which benefit individuals by offering “material incentives” to members Agriculture: groups that promote the interest of family farmers and large agribusinesses, such as protection against price fluctuations (AFBF, National Grange) Professional: groups that promote the interests of professionals, such as teachers and doctors, by regulating practices and establishing standards of conduct (National Teachers Assn)

B. Types of SIGs Citizens’ Groups: organizations that seek “public goods” which benefit society by offering “selective incentives” (I.e. purposive, solidarity & informational) Public: groups that promote the perceived “collective good” of society, such as protecting ecosystems around the globe or lobbying for campaign finance reform (I.e. Green Peace) Single-issue: passionate groups that are motivated to work on one specific issue, such as rights to own guns or get an abortion (I.e. National Rifle Association)

B. Types of SIGs Citizens’ Groups: organizations that seek “public goods” which benefit society by offering “selective incentives” (I.e. purposive, solidarity & informational) Ideological: groups with broad aims that work to change cultural norms, values, and prevailing stereotypes (I.e. Christian Coalition) Government: government groups that represent the interests of local, state, or foreign governments in Congress and the White House (I.e. National Governor’s Association)

C. Power of Persuasion Information lobbyists influence busy elected officials by offering “political cues” in the form of arguments and evidence that support positions on policy matters SIGs sway voters by playing the “ratings game” in which they grade candidates based on their voting records

C. Power of Persuasion Economic Leverage interest groups impact elections by contributing to political campaigns and financing political ads via PACs labor groups often seek outcomes by organizing or threatening strikes and leading boycotts of a particular company’s goods

C. Power of Persuasion Litigation public-interest law firms bring lawsuits against the government to challenge practices or regulations “amicus curiae” briefs are filed, which present an argument in favor of a particular issue

C. Power of Persuasion Disruption interest groups often stage protests in order to disrupt activities, generate publicity through the media, and/or apply pressure on those they oppose in office disruptive tactics also include marches, sit-ins, picketing, as well as violence

D. The Good & the Bad Pluralism SIGs serve the common good, as competing interests balance one another out Madison argued in Federalist 10 that factions provide opportunities for people to participate in government, as well as prevent any one minority from imposing its will on the majority

D. The Good & the Bad Flaws in Pluralism interest groups seek to benefit the minority, not the greater good of society (I.e. NRA prevents sensible gun control legislation) SIGs reflect upper class bias as most lobbyists represent economic groups, which ignore the interests of socioeconomically disadvantaged

D. The Good & the Bad Flaws in Pluralism proliferation results in hyper-pluralism, which stymies the government’s ability to function free riders reap the benefits of public goods without contributing to the group

The Iron Triangle Directions: Read the text the “Iron Triangle” and answer the prompts below. What is the iron triangle? How does the iron triangle influence policy-making? How do SIGs shape public opinion of Congress and the federal bureaucracy?