INTEREST GROUPS

Interest Groups n the proliferation of interest groups n interest group strategies n interest groups and democracy

The Scope of Interest Groups n socio-demographic –greater diversity, more cleavages – more interest groups n American constitutional system –many points of access for interest groups –many veto points n weakness of political parties –more effective to attempt to influence legislators directly

The Proliferation of Interest Groups and Lobbying n effectiveness –separation of powers –lack of party discipline n external factors –expansion of government –New Politics and public interest groups »feminist movement, environmental movement –conservative interest groups »Christian Coalition, National Taxpayers Union, National Rifle Association

Strategies of Interest Groups n lobbying n using electoral politics –PACs n litigation –groups can turn to the courts if they are not successful in the legislative and executive branches n “going public” -- trying to influence public opinion

Interest Groups and Campaign Finance/Advertising n the link between interest groups and elected officials n direct campaign contributions –PACs n third party advertising –issue advertising

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 –definition of “lobbyist” »people who spend 20% of their professional time lobbying »people who are paid $5,000+ to lobby in any 6 month period »corporations and groups that spend $20,000 on lobbying staff in 6 month period

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 –definition of “lobbyist” –disclosure requirements »names of clients »income and expenditure »issues on which they have worked

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 –definition of “lobbyist” –disclosure requirements –non-tax exempt status

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 –definition of “lobbyist” –disclosure requirements –non-tax exempt status »charitable organizations that devote a “substantial part” of their activities to “attempting to influence legislation” lose charitable tax-exempt status »e.g. Sierra Club (1968)

The Role of Interest Groups in American Democracy n pluralism –all interests are free to compete –outcome of competition is compromise and moderation »no one group likely to completely dominate –outcome of such competition is some approximation of the general will »if there was sufficient opposition to a given policy, a countervailing interest group would form

The Role of Interest Groups in American Democracy n critiques of pluralism –there isn’t a level playing field »all groups can compete hypothetically but, in reality, the system favours certain interests –focus on group membership undermines the collective capacity of the community as a whole

Interest Groups/Lobbying and Democracy n individual rights –cannot stop individuals from organizing into groups in order to influence the political process n mass participation –other ways to participate in the political process than just voting –HOWEVER, to what degree to interest groups overwhelm/undermine the role of the individual in the political process?