SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIG’S)

Which of the following is the most powerful? Voters Government Agencies (Bureaucracy) Elected Officials Political Parties Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) (Average American is represented by interest groups - SIG’s influence all of these)

INTEREST GROUPS An interest group is a group of like-minded individuals who encourage or prevent changes in public policy without trying to be elected.

How do Interest Groups differ from political parties? Venn Diagram: http://www.ushistory.org/gov/5c.asp Political Party Interest Group Similarites

What is a Political Party? A group of individuals outside of government who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and determine public policy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lt-f3QQ7-A

What Political Parties Do: Select Candidates: Inform the Public: Coordinate Policy Making: Balance Interests within the Party: Run Campaigns: Raise Money:

How do Interest Groups differ from political parties? Venn Diagram: Political Party Interest Group Goal: Inform and persuade those in gov’t $ PACS Goal: Win elections/control an office in Gov’t (Pres, Congress,etc) Members share common interests/ political ideas Need $ to operate “influence” policy “make” policy Pluralists – many share power (or perhaps hyperpluralists – so many influences gov’t can’t function) $ Campaign funds Elites Similarites

INTEREST GROUPS Interest groups exist to shape and influence public policy. Functions: Stimulate interest in public policy. Represent members based on interests / attitudes (not geography – like elected officials). 3. Provide information to the government (Lobbyists contact politicians) 4. Act as a vehicle for political participation. 5. Act as a check and balance for politics. 6. Competitively balance each other. (Environment vs. Business)

Amassing Public Support Special Interest groups (SIGs): Political parties (Elites) goal is to “make” policy vs. SIGs are pluralists (or perhaps hyper pluralists) venting (“influence” policy) 1. Characteristics: a. Membership. b. Financial resources. c. Leadership. d. Organizational structure. 2. Types: a. Business and industry. b. Trade associations. c. Organized labor. d. Agriculture. e. Professional. f. Public interest. g. Government h. Cultural, religious, ethnic. i. Equality interest.

SIGs Strategies 1. Provide data to politicians and government agencies. SIGS are policy specialists whereas political parties are policy generalists. 2. Draft legislation via the Iron Triangle:

SIGs Strategies (continued) 3. Lawsuits. 4. Education. **information = #1 influence 5. Watchdogs of government. 6. Lobbyists: hired political persuaders (14,000+ in D.C) whose job is to promote the SIGs interests (via pressure, votes, and $).

Lobbyists “Influence peddlers” – Can they be good? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2DUM6jVasw 3 min. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTbtKRdYbYo Does Lobbying need reform?

Successful SIG’s 1. Have a relatively small size: a. Potential groups (or large groups) suffer from “free-rider status.” b. Actual groups reap what they sow and therefore work harder. One can make potential groups more powerful by providing “selective benefits” (AARP). Solidary incentive = sense of companionship when members meet. 2. Have intensity: Single issue groups - NRA, NOW, abortion. 3. Go public: influence public opinion. 4. Diversify: over 23,000 exist today, and 90% are headquartered in Washington D.C. Interest group participation is the culmination of political participatory actions

Investigate a successful Interest Group: Go to the AARP website –www.aarp.org With a partner, answer the following questions: Type of Organization? Institutional or Membership Who are their subscribers? (not names, but in general) Benefits to joining? Issues of concern?