CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE and Interest Groups

Interest Group Influence

Lobbyists and the Political Process

Lobbying and Health Care Reform

Interest Groups and Conflict

Working within the Process

The Interest Group Universe

Interest Groups – Organizations of people who share common political interests and aim to influence public policy by electioneering and lobbying Lobbying – Efforts to influence public policy through contact with public officials on behalf of an interest group

The Interest Group Universe

Money Spent on Lobbying, 2000–2009

Growth in Federal Spending and in Lobbying

The Business of Lobbying

Spending on Lobbying

Interest Groups

Types of Interest Groups Economic group – A type of interest group that seeks public policies that will provide monetary benefits to its members. Citizen group – A type of interest group that seeks changes in spending, regulations, or government programs concerning a wide range of policies (also known as a public interest groups) Single-issue group – A type of interest group that has a narrowly focused goal and seeks change on a single topic, government program, or piece of legislation

Organizational Structures

Resources Important resources for an interest group are: –People –Money –expertise

The Logic of Collective Action Free riding – The practice of relying on others to contribute to a collective effort—while failing to participate on one’s own behalf—and still benefitting from the group’s success Because governmental changes to policies affect everyone, whether they worked for the change or not, it is hard to motivate people to work for the change.

The Prisoners’ Dilemma

Overcoming Collective Action Problems Solitary benefits – Satisfaction derived from the experience of working with like-minded people, even if the group’s efforts do not achieve the desired impact. Purposive benefits – Satisfaction derived from the experience of working toward a desired policy goal, even if the goal is not achieved. Coercion – A method of eliminating nonparticipation or free riding by potential group members by requiring participation, as in many labor unions. Selective incentives – Benefits that can motivate participation in a group effort because they are available only to those who participate, such as member services offered by interest groups.

Overcoming Collective Action Problems: Selective Incentives

Different Strategies for Different Groups Inside strategies –Tactics used by interest groups within Washington, DC, to achieve their policy goals Outside strategies – Tactics used by interest groups outside Washington, DC, to achieve their policy goals Direct lobbying – Attempts by interest group staff to influence policy by speaking with elected officials or bureaucrats

The Logic of Collective Action

Interest Group Strategies

Choosing Strategies

How Much Power Do Interest Groups Have? The theory of bureaucratic capture says that regulators become “captured” (persuaded by or beholden to) the industries they are supposed to regulate.

Interest Group Success

Conflict

Lobbying: Less than Meets the Eye?

Four Truths about Interest-Group Influence Interest groups lobby their friends and tend to moderate their demands when they encounter resistance. Many complaints about interest groups come from the losers of political fights. Groups often claim victory even if they didn’t have anything to do with the result. The amount of money spent by interest groups does not mean that the group gets a great deal of “bang for their buck.”

Interest Groups in Other Countries

Public Opinion Poll Do you currently belong to a political interest group? a)Yes b)No

Public Opinion Poll Do you agree or disagree that political interest groups are good for American democracy? a)Strongly agree b)Agree c)Disagree d)Strongly disagree

Public Opinion Poll In terms of America’s core values of liberty and democracy, should we prefer a political process dominated by parties or one in which interest groups are more important? a)Political parties more powerful b)Interest groups more powerful

Public Opinion Poll Do you believe former members of Congress should or should not be allowed to lobby their former colleagues? a)Allow former members of Congress to lobby b)Do not allow former members of Congress to lobby

Public Opinion Poll Do you believe it is un-American or disloyal for ethnic and religious groups to lobby on behalf of a foreign country with which they identify? a)Yes b)No

Chapter 9: Interest Groups Practice quizzes Flashcards Outlines wwnorton.com/studyspace