Interest Groups D. Brown/ Pol Sci 221 St Francis Xavier University January 2011

Interest Groups: Topics Covered Defining interest groups and related concepts Interest group functions Snap-shot of interest groups in Canada Theory consideration…does it matter? Policy Networks and Communities State-sponsored interests How interest groups work

Definitions…. Interest groups: – Private associations that promote their specific interests and values in the political community Similar terms: “special interests”, “pressure groups” “civil society organizations” Not: political parties as such Can represent collective interests of parts of the private, not-for-profit and/or voluntary sector

Interest Group Functions Promoting interests of members in policy process, in media, and with other interests Channel communications between members and government Legitimize government actions by participating in policy process May regulate members on behalf of public authorities May implement government programs through partnerships or cooperation with government

Scope… 20,000 organizations in Canada Range from international to national to provincial to neighbourhood Cover every conceivable form of interest: – Economic, sectoral, social, professional, cultural, ethnic, religious, environmental, etc.

Theory considerations…1 Pluralism: interest groups are vital to democracy. A major role of governments is to balance interests Neo-pluralists: business has more clout than all the rest Marxists: interest groups reflect class interests and the dominant position of capital

Theory considerations…2 Neo-institutionalists – The State shapes interest group organization and behaviour – Interest groups interact with State actors (who have their own interests) in Policy Communities and Networks

Policy Communities and Networks Policy Communities….constellation of actors in a policy field Policy Networks….the nature of relationships between the key actors They contribute to fragmenting state policy-making and society’s interests, but also to more efficient consideration of policy issues They reflect state structure and preferences as much as those of organized social interests

State-sponsored interest groups Charter-based interests: – Women, aged, ethnic minorities, language minorities, Gay and Lesbians, etc, Aboriginal organizations Some trade, labour organizations Primary producers: agriculture, fisheries

Interest Group Characteristics Formal organization is important to success “institutionalized” interest groups are influential, but can be out-flanked by ad-hoc coalitions of informal players Money always counts…but there is more than one way of getting it

Interest Group Power They shape the public agenda They have an effect on election outcomes They can punish governments by influencing private players They can often resist change that is against their interests.

Key Strategies Lobbying efforts – Expensive – Compromises the interest group Influencing public opinion – Requires media smarts – Opinion polls influence opinion Going to court – Need a good case – Need money (unless government will pay)

Limits to Interest Group Power Lack of cohesion / competition from other groups Portrayed by parties, governments as having unfair and undue influence as “special interests” Losing touch with grass roots Public service resistance -- “public interest” trumping particular interests

Systemic limits on interest group power: 4 forms of policy networks (Montpetit) 1. Pluralist systems (e.g. Canada, USA) – open to new groups, and few if any groups have mandatory influence 2. Corporatist systems (e.g. Germany)– a closed set of key players making key decisions jointly with government 3. Dirigist systems (e.g. France) -- top down, bureaucratic power, less room for interest group influence 4. Clientilist system (e.g. banana republic) -- government decisions dominated by one key set of interests alone