1. Case of The Eli Lilly Bandit Rider slipped into Homeland Security Bill – shields Eli Lilly from product liability lawsuits who slipped this in during a conference committee? $1.6 million donated by Lilly

2. Interest Groups James Madison in Federalist #10 said: The sphere of influence must be extended in order to prevent any one group from having too much power. Did Madison and the founders envision the explosion of special interest groups? http://usgovinfo.about.com/blorgs.htm

3. Are corporate special interests out of control after the Citizen’s United ruling ? Are corporations people – have free speech rights? Are they so powerful that they control Washington politics?

4. So just what is an interest group? an organization whose members share common concerns and try to influence government policies affecting those concerns. Interest groups are also known as lobbies; Bipartisan Aim to influence all 3 branches Not interested in governing

5. Special Interest Groups – The factions that our founders dreaded? or the voice of the people? Private/non-governmental Protected under the 1 st amendment in the Bill of Rights Try to influence public policy – promote policies that affect a defined group in society 36,000 K Street lobbyists – an explosion of special interest groups and money spent primarily occurring since 1960.

7. Special interest Groups v Political Parties Interest groups are often policy specialists, whereas parties are policy generalists. Parties Nominate candidates Win elections and govern Broad inclusive platform – positions on 100’s of issues Special Interest Groups Influence elections – help get officials elected favorable to their cause May support either party or some candidates in either party Lobby for their cause – promote the narrow interest of their group

8. Paradox – voter turnout down since 1960 Explosion of special interest groups Thankyou For Not Smoking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBELC_vxqhI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBELC_vxqhI

9. Special interest groups role as a linkage institution. Help raise concern about issues. Get issues on the political agenda An amplified voice of the people? Helps get issues on the policy agenda

10. 3 Theories About Special Interest Groups

11. Theories of Interest Group Politics #1 Pluralist Theory - Interest groups serve an important function allow more voices in the conversation. A linkage institution in government Groups compete Marketplace of Ideas (Jefferson) No one group is likely to become too dominant – Groups check each other Groups usually play by “the rules of the game” While some groups have money – other groups have more people…big business vs. unions

12. Pluralism – Choice is good

13. #2 Elite Theory suggests that real power lies in the hands of a few and that these few hold multiple positions of power. Rule by the wealthy More groups, but unequal in power Awesome power held by large multinational corporations The few that have power – have interlocking power (in multiple positions of power) Other groups win minor battles – but big decisions are won by the elite

14. Case in point: Bush’s secret White House meetings with energy corporations 2001 Energy policy set for whole nation. Deny global warming Resist conservation Drilling and fracking No subsidies for Alternative energy

15. Who’s got the Power in America? Does money buy power? Who cares what the poor think? A Sociologist View

16. Occupy Wall Street - challenged the power elite

17. #3 Hyperpluralist Theory suggests that the pluralist system is out of control. Too many groups. By trying to please every group – you create contradictory, confusing and expensive policy. Confusion Overlapping programs and regulations Overspending Gridlock results National issues not dealt with Problems linger Budget out of control

18. Iron Triangles (sub-governments) and Special Interest Groups Nuke Power Industry, key members of Congress, Nuclear Regulatory Industry.

19. Hyperpluralism – Interest group liberalism Government tries to please interest groups Neglect the whole

20. Are Small Groups more successful than large ones???? Big group dilemma – getting potential members to join. Potential Groups – All the people that might be a part of the group. Actual Group – Those people who actually join

21. Collective Good / Benefits If the U of M Alumni Association got discounted rates on U of M sporting events for ALL alum – then everyone would get that benefit – whether they belong to the Alumni Association or not.

22. Free-Riders Those who benefit from the collective good without paying dues or being an active member of the Alumni Association – they are called Free-Riders.

23. Right to Work Freeloaders I want my pay and benefits, but I don’t want to pay dues.

24. Olson’s law of large groups The larger the group – the more free-riders In a class action suit – all members of the class will receive a portion of the settlement Who has more incentive to participate? – The consumer (who will share with potentially $millions) – The businesses who are impacted by the settlement and have to pay damages Walmart loses – has to pay over 50,000 women for past gender discrimination

25. Olson’s theory – Small group advantages Lobbying costs and benefits are focused and concentrated In smaller groups – each member gains more Clear economic advantages understood Business and corporate groups can finance efforts Who are the most powerful special interest groups? How many of them represent business and corporate concerns?

26. Selective Benefits By offering benefits only to those that actually join – large groups can overcome Olson’s Law.

27. 1. National Rifle Association 2. American Association of Retired People (AARP) 3. National Federation of Independent Business 4. American Israel Foreign Affairs Committee 5. Association of Trial Lawyers of America 6. AFL-CIO 7. Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America 8. National Beer Wholesalers of America 9. National Association of Realtors 10. National Association of Manufacturers 11. National Association of Homebuilders of the United States 12. American Medical Association 13. American Hospital Association 14. National Education Association of the United States 15. American Farm Bureau Federation 16. Motion Picture Association of America 17. National Association of Broadcasters 18. National Right to Life Committee 19. Health Insurance Association of America 20. National Restaurant Association 21. National Governors' Association 22. Recording Industry Association of America 23. American Bankers Association 24. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America 25. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Fortune Magazine top 25 special interest groups

28. Single Issue Groups Can Be effective Narrow focus – single minded High intensity / passion Dislike compromise Issues that often evoke strong emotions

29. Money Helps…but doesn’t always win the day Michigan Proposals 2012 Prop 6 – Manny Moroun spent $34 million to block the building of a new bridge. Unions spent $10 million to get collective bargaining rights into the constitution

30. Four Methods of Special Interest Groups 1. Lobbying – Paid Persuaders – Represent special interest groups – “For Hire” – Full time lobbyists v. – Hired guns – multi - clients

31. Lobbyists offer - Expertise/advice Testimony Language for bills Campaign $ - get the group they represent behind the candidate Strategy and Advice Alternative view – new ideas that a Congressperson can attach their name to Looking at this chart – Who has influence over laws governing global warming?

32. Can lobbyists actual persuade members of Congress to change their mind? Threaten? NRA does so successfully. Bribe? Inform and persuade. Primarily activate and reinforce? See Article on the 10 Worst lobbies Do powerful lobbies control Congress?

33. 2. Influencing elections Support candidates Forming PAC’s – funnel $$$$ – Incumbent advantage Why do they support them? – In a position of leadership that are is important to their interests – Very supportive of issues important to them – From a district or state where they have facilities – Help them with executive and regulatory agencies

34. Other Electioneering Activities of Interest Groups Get members to run for office Officially endorse candidates Send delegates to the convention to influence the party platform Get volunteers to help on campaigns

35. Most Special Interest Groups form PACS Donations to candidates – hard money Donations to issue ads/superPACS – corporations are people (Citizens United) NRA anti-Obama ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM0MO3bgvw0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM0MO3bgvw0

36. 3. Litigation – lawsuits Environmental groups – force government enforcement Consumer protection group sue to protect consumers Anit-fracking lawsuit filed in PAProtection from unsafe products

37. Litigation Groups fight for their interests in court Many civil rights groups fought their battles in court not Congress Amicus Curiae Briefs – Attempt to influence courts – Filed by parties that have an interest in the outcome of the case – Filed by parties not actively involved in the suit – Regents of the University of California v. Bakke: 100 amicus briefs filed Class Action Suits – often filed by interest groups (Erin Brockovich)

38. Class Action Lawsuits Ms Harte got a check for $3.49 from a lawsuit filed against Match.com

39. 4. Going Public… Like politicians – interest groups pay attention to public opinion and try to rally their members to support/protest legislation Interest Groups want a positive public image – and often pay for ad campaigns to get it.

40. Going Public can mean: Mass protest Grass roots letter writing/email campaigns Media http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q2tjWBIXEc Tourism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q2tjWBIXEc

41. Classifications of Special Interest Groups Economic interest – business, trade associations, and unions. Agricultural Professions (i.e.. doctors, lawyers, etc) Equality advocates Causes (i.e. environmental, civil rights, right to life) Those which promote a segment of the population (AARP) Citizen/consumer Religious

42. 1. Economic Interest Groups Concerned with wages, prices, profits. Government influences these via Regulations Tax advantages Subsidies Government contracts International trade policy

43. 1A. Labor Interest Groups – Under Economic Labor unions are interest groups – press for policies to ensure better working conditions and higher wages – OSHA standards – Child labor laws – Minimum wage – 8 hour work day

44. Labor Laws 1935 - Wager Act Protects collective bargaining – Union/Closed Shop Must join the union if covered by a contract Taft Hartley Act of 1947 - Legalizes Right to work laws – supported by business interest groups – outlaw the union shop – Can’t require membership in a union as a condition of employment. Labor decline since 1950’s peak From 35% to 13% of labor force

45. 1B. Business Interest Groups – Under Economic 70% of all interest group organizations in Washington represent business Growing faster than any other type of interest group Many compete against each other More/better roads More/better mass transit

46. 2. Environmental Interest Groups Concerned with environmental protection Often conflict with goals of energy producers

47. 3. Equality Interests Brown vs. Board of Education is the result of the work of NAACP Interest Group Groups like NOH8 work for the passage of rights for the LGBTQ community

48. Equality groups that represent a segment of the population

49. Groups Lacking Full Equality Protections - Women and LGBT ERA defeated LGBT not covered ‘64 Civil Rights Act

50. 4. Consumers and Public Interest Groups Seek the public’s collective good – everyone benefits Seek to protect the public from harm http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ll_h0P9yJy0 http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ll_h0P9yJy0 Fireworks and magnet jewelry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- OcIwPx-SCs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- OcIwPx-SCs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmqlh nPt1qk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmqlh nPt1qk

51. 5. Religious Based Pat Robertson holds up the Christian coalition voter Guide 25% of Bush supporters in 2004 – Christian fundamentalists.

52. 6. Single Issue Groups PETA, NRA, Right to Life, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

53. The Good and the Bad Good Points Bad Points

54. The Good and the Bad Good Points Gives a voice to the people Adds to checks and balances Expert have specialized information Demonstrates issues people care about Bad Points Special Interests not concerned about the whole picture Free rider problem Low income – less powerful underrepresented

55. So what do the 3 theorist’s think? Pluralists: Elite Theorists: Hyperpluralists:

56. So what do the 3 theorist’s think? Pluralists:Madison would be happy – a group for every interest and another to counter that group – opens the door for everyone to participate and good dialogue to occur – no one gets too much power. Elite Theorists: Business groups are proliferating. PACS and money distorts the democratic process. The powerful PACS are buying votes in Congress and state legislatures Hyperpluralists:Too many competing interests that no one wants to say no to. Causes gridlock or contradictory policies and is creating bigger and bigger government

57. Scope of government Special interest groups strive to maintain established programs that benefit them. Is government bigger as a result?