Interest Groups Chapter 9

Interest Groups A lot of differences among Americans has led the proliferation of interest groups Long history of them, Huge variety of issues including abolition, prohibition, gun rights, farm issues, religious associations, environmental groups, political reform, balanced budget, businesses, unions, even older Americans… Remember – PACs and interest groups are interchangeable

Definition An interest group is defined as: any organization that seeks to influence public policy through LOBBYING Two types – institutional and membership Institutional - deals with individuals or organizations representing other organizations such as: business firms and unions Membership – deals with social, business, veteran, charitable, religious issues Americans join groups more than Europeans and this may be due to a sense of civic duty

Why join an interest group? Feel a part of the political process, pleasure, companionship (NAACP, League of Women Voters, PTO, American Legion) Material incentives - money, things, services (farm organizations, AARP) Common goals – passion about an issue, common ideology, public interest, protection (ACLU, NRA)

Social movement and funding Interest groups have long been involved in a variety of social movements such as: abolition, the environment, feminism, and unions Funding for interest groups comes from 3 sources: 1.Foundation grants 2.Federal grants and contracts – not for lobbying but for projects 3.Direct mail – but expensive

What else do they do? Well, interest groups can be biased… People of wealth more likely to join them – and influence them… Business/professional groups have more $ than those representing minorities or consumers How about the info they provide? Interest groups are there to provide information to members as well as legislators They target (or lobby) those undecided legislators or other government officials

Money and PACs Money is the least effective way of influencing politicians Still, incumbents get the most PAC money Labor PACs give to Democrats Business PACs tend to split their money PAC money may influence politics in different ways like access to a candidate or committee action – also may become more influential on certain issues (called “client politics”)

The “Revolving Door” Here’s an interesting phenomenon?? Many people leave public office, get hired by a PAC and then return to Washington to lobby. It can happen over and over again (Donald Rumsfeld for example). This can lead to a conflict of interest and an unfair manipulation of government agencies (FDA)

Last slide PACs have certain protections including the First Amendment Some regulations define “lobbying” and control the money flow Tax codes modified to stop some “non-profits” from lobbying or risk losing their status And, finally, new campaign finance laws limit the amount of $$ a person can give to a PAC