1. Interest Groups

2. I. Introduction: Interest Group – an organization of people who enter the political process to try to achieve their shared goals.

3. James Madison called interest groups “evil factions.” 2/3 of Americans belong to a formal interest group.

4. A)Parties vs. interest groups; Both represent political points of view and try to influence policy making.

5. 1. Parties influence government primarily through the election process (running candidates for office). Interest groups do not run candidates. Differences between Parties & Interest Groups;

6. 2. Parties generate and support a broad spectrum of policies; interest groups support one or a few related policies.

7. B) Changes in Campaign Finance Laws; Political action committees (PACs) are the political arm of interest groups. They can legally raise voluntary funds to contribute to candidates or parties.

8. In a landmark case, Citizens United v. FEC, the supreme Court overturned campaign finance regulations going back to 1907. The Court overturned the ban on Unions and corporations using their own funds to influence presidential and congressional elections. The Court also eliminated the McCain-fiengold band on issue oriented ads (527s).

9. But the Court did not overturn the ban on corporations giving campaign contributions directly to a candidate. But direct contributions by PACs which are organized by corporations will still be allowed.

10. 527 groups – named after the U.S. tax code, are tax-exempt organizations created to influence the nomination, election, appointment, or defeat of a candidate for office. Examples; Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, Texans for Truth, The Media Fund, and America Coming Together. They are not regulated by the Federal Election Commission and are not subject to contribution limitations like PACs.

11. C) Theories of Interest Group Politics; Elitist Theory; argues that the government is run by a few big groups trying to preserve their own interests. An extensive system of interlocking directorates fortifies the control.

12. Pluralist Theory; interest groups benefit democracy by bringing representation to all. Groups provide linkage between people & government. Lots of groups means that no one group can become too powerful. Interest groups usually follow the rules. No one group dominates because those weak in one resource are strong in others. (Business interest have money, but labor interest have members.)

13. Hyperpluralist Theory; too many groups are trying to influence the political process, resulting in political chaos and contradiction among government policies. Government tries to please every interest and allow them to dictate policy in their area.

14. D) Growth of Interest Groups; Many interest groups are new, with over half forming after W.W.II.

15. III. Types of Interest Groups: A) Economic Interest Groups; Labor Unions; focus on better working conditions and higher wages. Unions support union shops, which require new employees to join the union representing them. Employers support right to work laws, which prohibit the forced joining of a union. Most right to work states are in the South.

16. Agricultural groups; focus on farm subsidies and tariffs that benefit farmers. National Farmers’ Organization American Farm Bureau Federation National Potato Council National Peanut Council National Mushroom Institute.

17. Business groups; since the late 1800s government has regulated business practices. This group focus on easing regulations as well as improving trade associations.

18. Chamber of Commerce of the U.S., a federation of thousands of local chambers of commerce representing over 200,000 business firms. Pharmaceutical lobby, representing drug manufacturers. They have over 600 lobbyists and spent $200 million in 1999-2000 for lobbying and campaign purposes.

19. Professional groups; focus on the interest of various occupations, and are interested in policies that affect their specific professions. American Medical Association American Bar Association American Association of University Professors National Education Association

20. B) Consumer & Public Interest Groups; Public Interest Groups, begun in the 1960s under the leadership of Ralph Nader, (PIRGS) actively promote environmental issues, safe energy, consumer protection, and good government.

21. Common Cause (1970), promote electoral reform and a more open political process. League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan public interest group.

22. C) Equality & Justice Interest Groups; Interest groups that champion equal rights and justice, particularly for women and minorities. NAACP, lobby and press courts to expand voting, employment, and housing for African-Americans. NOW, pushed for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s. They also lobby against sexual discrimination. National Urban League National Women’s Political Caucus

23. IV.How Interest Groups Work: 1. Lobbying – to attempt to influence government policies. Members of Congress rely on lobbyists for information and advice on specific issues.

24. Contacting government officials by phone or letter. Meeting and socializing at conventions. Taking officials to lunch. Testifying at committee hearings.

25. 2. Electioneering – supporting candidates sympathetic to your interest by providing money for their political campaigns.

26. 3. Litigation – bringing cases to court that will aid your interest or cause.

27. Interest groups will influence court decisions by filing amicus curiae (“friends of the court) briefs, which are written arguments submitted to the court in support of one side.

28. Groups may also file class action lawsuits, which enable a group of similar plaintiffs to combine their grievances into a single suit. Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka (1954), not only represented Linda Brown but all African-American students across the nation.

29. 4. Appealing to the public; the act of promoting business, sell products, or keep a favorable position for your lobby group in Washington.

30. 5. The “Rating Game”; interest groups rate members of Congress in terms of the amount of support they give to legislation that is favorable to their cause. Environmental groups identify the twelve representatives that are most likely to vote against environmental bills and name the “the Dirty Dozen.”

31. The End?