INTEREST GROUPS All recognize potential damage of factions to republic Yet civil liberties: free speech / petition/pluralism !! Therefore federalism/sep of powers/checks & balances were created to insure a responsive and responsible government Unique to USA: a. cleavages in society b. federalism = multiple access points c. US law and policy encourage creation d. weakness of modern American political parties forced to take broad policy positions But what price Liberty?! Interest groups hated and feared: - Too excessive of an influence $$$$$$$$$$$$$ - Too many → hyper pluralism - Too litigious in conduct

… seeks to influence policy in its own interest, or in the perceived best interest of who it represents. 1. for one or specific set of issues 2. there is a clear stake for the group in regard to some policy = $ 3. yet some groups have a wider set of policy positions to pursue because of a broader focus of interest – such as combating poverty Interest Groups … 1.TESTIFY 2.MEET AND GREET 3.RESEARCH 4.LEAD 5.FUND 6.LITIGATE

KINDS OF INTEREST GROUPS - several different types: based on emphasis, organization, and style of approach - But all face the collective action problem of the “FREE RIDER” because often the policy they seek to influence produce public benefits which have no proprietary rights. As a result some can use “selective benefits (incentives) to minimize the Free Rider effect : Material incentives: you receive some real ($) benefit for joining group Solidary incentives: you and others in group benefit by your association Purposive incentives: you yourself do not benefit but others do by the group’s actions. 1.Economic Interest Groups (institutional) Formed on the basis of an economic interest/benefit Labor groups: UAW CWA Business groups: US Chambers of Commerce NAM Professional groups: AMA ABA NEA Agricultural groups: the Grange NFU AFB 2. Groups that promote causes (membership) Specific causes (often ideological) ACLU NRA Operation Rescue For welfare of specific groups of individuals AARP NAACP VFW religion – related causes National Council of Churches USCCB American Jewish Congress

3.Public Interest Groups Concerned with issues such as the environment, consumer protection, crime, and civil rights Public Interests Common Cause League of Women Voters Environment Green Peace National Audubon Society Sierra Club

If able ($) an interest group will be sure to be organized along these lines: 1.Dues paying members or by direct mail appeals and/or foundation support 2.A staff of lobbying professionals (“revolving door”) 3. PAC affiliate 4. Research and Public Relations and Legal Operations -Think tanks -Media office -Assist legislators in creating legislation -Litigation

Control of Interest Groups – Their Insidious Influence ! - the sticking point is the 1 st Amendment Attempts have been made… 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act 1.Lobby required to be registered with Congress 2.Lobby required to file quarterly financial records …but SCOTUS ruled: a. Registration could be required only to groups that lobby exclusively - “grassroots” groups exempted - UAW, AMA,NRA all qualify as “grassroots” groups because their purpose is not only to lobby b. Some disclosure of finances may be prohibited to protect individual privacy “whistle blower” protection Other major loopholes in FRLA 1. no restriction on executive branch lobbying or, contact with congressional staffs. 2. Congress had never appropriated $ for an oversight agency to enforce the FRLA

In 1995 Congress voted in new regulations on lobby groups: Lobby and Disclosure Act 1.Definition of lobbying broadens 2.Declaring illegal: paid junkets honorariums gifts …etc !!!! Yet no real agency is in charge of enforcing these rules. And if you spend less than 20% of your time lobbying = you are not a lobbyist The DOJ can get involved, and it has most notably – “Casino gate” the Abramoff and Native American Tribes scandal in 2006