POSC 1000 Introduction to Politics Unit Eight: Interest Groups & Social Movements Russell Alan Williams

Unit Eight: Interest Groups and Social Movements Required Reading: Mintz, Chapters 9 & 10. “Interest Groups” Outline: 1. Introduction 2. Types of Interest Groups 3. Interest Group Organizations 4. Understanding the Role of Interest Groups

1) Introduction: “Interest Group”: Group of individuals who have joined together to pursue common interests. Goal: Influence public policy Do not directly participate in elections Note: Assumes that parties and elections are not only influence on public policy Becoming more common – most Canadians belong to one

1) Introduction: “Interest Group”: Group of individuals who have joined together to pursue common interests. Goal: Influence public policy Do not directly participate in elections Note: Assumes that parties and elections are not only influence on public policy Becoming more common – most Canadians belong to one E.g. The CFS!CFS

Different from: “Social Movements”: Network of groups that seek major political change May involve some interest groups, but will act outside of established institutions E.g. Difference between Greenpeace and the “environmental movement”

2) Types of Interest Groups: “ Self-Interest Groups ” : Group whose main purpose is to promote the interests of its members E.g. Economic and occupational interests – Unions, Professional Associations and Business Groups May not exist solely for political purposes Canadian Examples: Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE)CCCE Canadian Bankers ’ Association Canadian Association for the Fifty-Plus

“Public Interest” & “Issue Oriented Groups”: Groups more focused on issues of public interest instead of members’ economic interests Focused on key public policy debates – promoting a partisan perspective Mainly exist for political purposes Canadian examples: Council of Canadians Greenpeace Democracy Watch ( Are these really different?

“Institutionalized Interest Groups”: Groups that have a formal organization Stable membership and professional staff Access to government officials May receive Gov’t funding or have official responsibilities E.g. Canadian Bar Associations Many of the previous examples are “institutionalized”, but something more is meant here...

3) Interest Group Organization: Basic Assumption: Collective action increases power! Need to overcome “free rider” problem E.g. Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation and gas tax cuts

Interest group organizing strategies: Benefits to members “Selective Incentives”: Only members can gain these resources Discounts, free services etc. E.g. Canadian Federation of Students Government incentives Financial support Compulsory membership/state benefits to members

Interest group activities: “Inside Strategies”: Develop close contacts with key policymakers Elected officials Civil servants “Lobbying”: Attempt to influence officials, particularly by professional specialists Grow support for polices advocated by interest group Relationship between lobbyists and public officials very close – lobbyists often contribute to the drafting of legislation(!)

Interest group activities: “Outside Strategies”: Develop public support in order to put pressure on decision-makers Campaigns Advertising Protests Legal Challenges E.g. Sierra Club of Canada More effective if groups can mobilize political resources E.g. Large membership Recognized expertise Money!

4)Understanding the Role of Interest Groups: a) Interest Groups vs. Political Parties: Rise of interest groups encourages brokerage (?) Lesser role for public in policymaking –Or.... Provides a better link between citizens and public policy

b) Pluralism vs. Corporatism? Pluralist perspective:All can participate in interest groups – they are a healthy expression of democracy =No need to regulate their activity E.g. The United States “Neo-Corporatism”: System where state regulates relations with major interest groups by formally including “peak” organizations in policymaking E.g. Business and labour in economic policy More common in European countries – Seen as a conservative alternative to political radicalism

For next time: Unit Seven: Social Movements and Political Dissent Required Reading: Mintz, Chapters 9 and 10.