INTEREST GROUPS

Learning Objectives 12. Identify the different incentives that motivate people to join interest groups. 13. Compare types of interest groups and different specific interest groups. 14. Compare interest groups, lobbying firms, and PACs. 15. Compare PACs and Super PACs. 16. Evaluate the way interest groups attempt to influence elections and government decision-making and the limits on their influence. 17. Describe how the federal government regulates interest groups. 18. Compare different theories on the influence of interest groups 19. Compare the goals of political parties and interest groups and explain how they support each other’s goals.

The Role of Interest Groups  Interest group  An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals  Interest groups and political parties promote U.S. democracy by linking citizens to the political process.  Differences between parties and interest groups: Political parties fight election battles; interest groups do not field candidates for office but may choose sides. Interest groups are policy specialists; political parties are policy generalists.

Types of Interest Groups 1. Economic Interests  Labor  Agriculture  Business 2. Environmental Interests 3. Equality Interests 4. Consumer and Public Interest Lobbies 5. Ideological interest groups appeal of coherent, and often controversial, principles  25,000 interest groups in the U.S.!

Q1: Why are interest groups so common in the U.S.?  Diverse society  Multiple access points to government  Political parties are weak

Q2: Why do people join interest groups?  3 types of incentives  Solitary  Purposive  Material

Why Join an Interest Group? Solitary Incentives  Enjoyment, companionship  Solitary incentives require organizations to structure themselves as coalitions of small local units  Facilitated by the importance of local governments in the U.S.  Examples: League of Women Voters (LWV), NAACP, Rotary, Parent-Teacher Association

Why Join? Purposive Incentives  The goal or purpose of the organization itself  Though this group also benefits nonmembers, people join because:  They are passionate about the goal(s) of the organization  They have a strong sense of civic duty  Cost of joining is minimal

Why Join? Material Incentives  Money, things, services  Organization may also influence how laws are administered to bring benefits to members  Examples: farm organizations, AARP

How Groups Try to Shape Policy 1. Lobbying  Lobbyists try to influence government decisions  Some are paid employees of a particular organization Interest groups, corporations, labor unions  Others are “for hire”  Often former legislators  Why do members of Congress listen to lobbyists?  Source of info  Help with political & campaign strategy  Provide ideas & innovation

Industries’ big spenders on lobbying

How Groups Try to Shape Policy 2. Electioneering  Aiding candidates financially  Getting out the vote  Political Action Committees (PACs): Political funding vehicles PACs are used by interest groups to donate money to candidates. Mainly support incumbents

How Groups Try to Shape Policy 3. Litigation  Suing for enforcement  Amicus curiae briefs submitted by a “friend of the court” to raise additional points of view and present information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties  Class Action lawsuits permit a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similar situated.

How Groups Try to Shape Policy 4. “Going Public”  Aka: grassroots lobbying/mass mobilization  Public opinion influences policymakers  Use media: marketing/advertising/PR  Mobilize public opinion

a.Lobbying b.Litigation c.Electioneering d.Going public On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic?

a.Lobbying b.Litigation c.Electioneering d.Going public On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic?

Q3: Special interest groups including lobbyists and political action committees have been one of the most criticized components of the political process. Why?

Theories of Interest Group Politics  Pluralism and Group Theory  Groups provide a key link between the people and the government.  Groups compete so no one group will become too dominant.  Groups play by the “rules of the game.”  Groups weak in one resource may use another. i.e. all legitimate groups can affect public policy.

Theories of Interest Group Politics  Elites and the Denial of Pluralism  Real power is held by the relatively few.  The largest corporations hold the most power.  Groups are unequal in power because elites prevail when it comes to big policy decisions.

Theories of Interest Group Politics: Elitism

Theories of Interest Group Politics  The Hyperpluralist Critique  Groups become too powerful when government tries to appease every interest.  Trying to please every group results in contradictory policies.  Iron triangles  Consist of interest groups, government agencies, and congressional committees that handle particular policies  Exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas.  Also known as subgovernments or issue networks

a.Elitism b.Hyperpluralism c.Pluralism d.None of the above Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively?

a.Elitism b.Hyperpluralism c.Pluralism d.None of the above Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively?

Closure Questions: Interest Groups & Parties 1. How do their goals differ? 2. How do they support one another’s goals?