1. Interest Groups
Chapter 11

2. Kinds of Organizations
An interest group is any organization that seeks to influence public policy
There are two kinds of interest groups: institutional and membership
Institutional Interest are individuals or organizations that represent other organizations
General Motors has a representative in Washington to speak up for their needs
500 other organizations have representatives in Washington, other organizations hire public relations experts or lawyers (who charge $500/hour) who live in Washington

3. Kinds of Organizations
What do they do?
The American Cotton Manufacturers Institute will work to get the government to pass laws and rules that will keep foreign-made textiles more expensive than domestic made goods
Some interest groups represent many diverse clients
For example, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents thousands of businesses
They work on more generic causes such as keeping taxes on businesses low and dealing with competition

4. Kinds of Organizations
While we are considerably more likely to join a political organization, Americans are much less likely than our British counterparts to join interest groups
In order to Americans to join an interest group we have to feel as if we are getting something out of it
There are three types of incentives:
Solidary incentives: pleasure, status, or companionship (PTA, NAACP, Rotary Club)
Material incentives: money or goods/services (Illinois Farm Bureau gives discounts on products for members, same for AARP)
Purposive incentive: joining to help the cause (these are called ideological interest groups)

5. Kinds of Organizations
If the purpose of the interest group will benefit non-members it is called a public-interest lobby
Their causes could range from raising money to build orphanages to banning assault rifles
Usually they are very controversial
Ralph Nader became popular in the 1960s when he worked to get speed limits, auto insurance, and car safety issues looked at
He created the Public Citizen group and the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)
Liberals are more likely to be involved with interest groups, but there are plenty of conservative groups as well (NRA, for example)

6. Kinds of Organizations
Interest groups that depend on purposive incentives tend to be shaped by the mood of the country.
What is the big initiative right now?
When issues are hot with the media or the people, the groups around them can grow quickly
To remain in the spotlight, they have to generate lots of publicity
These groups will often use a crisis atmosphere to generate public interest, especially if they are facing a hostile administration
A conservative group will raise more money when a Democrat controls the White House/Congress and vice-versa
Why do you think that is?

7. Interest Group Project
See Handout
Due Jan. 29th!

8. Interest Groups in American Politics
Pluralist democracy- American society is made up of different groups, each looking to secure its member's interest. The task of government is to manage group conflict.
EX: Freedom of Speech advocates and Parent’s rights groups seeking to get rid of violent video games
Melting pot- characterization of America as the coming together of a wide variety of racial, ethnic, and religious groups.

9. What Interest Groups Do
Interest groups engage in a broad range of activities to protect and advance the well-being of their members.
Groups try to create public support for their political goals
Groups finance political campaigns through PAC's
Groups lobby
Lobbying-attempting to influence legislation through communication with legislators.

10. What Interest Groups Do
Lobbying
Lobbyists are a source of information for the legislature. Lobbyists provide published materials, and testify before congress.
Lobbyists are sometimes involved in the writing of legislation.
Lobbyists keep a watchful eye on the rules and regulations of the government and act when they perceive a threat to their cause.
The most common and effective interest group technique is lobbying or seeking to influence and persuade others to support your group's position.
Lobbyists are hired by your college or university, businesses, foreign countries, trade associations, and anyone else wanting their voice heard on policy matters.
A lobbyist is someone whose task it is to influence legislation or policymaking.

11. Honest Lobbyists
A lobbyist must be honest and truthful if he or she wants to remain effective.
Access to lawmakers is critical and if a lobbyist gains a reputation for being untruthful or disingenuous legislators’ doors will close.
Of course lobbyists put their group’s position in a favorable light, but good lobbyists will also make lawmakers aware of the downsides of a bill and the arguments on the other side as well.

12. Interest Groups Techniques
Direct Techniques:
Lobbying
private meetings
testifying
drafting legislation
social occasions
providing political information
supplying nomination suggestions
Indirect Techniques:
Generating Public Pressure
groundswell of public pressure
using constituents as Lobbyists
building alliances with other groups

13. The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups
National Groups Emerge ( )
Progressive Era ( )
Organized Labor – the American Federation of Labor (AFL) (1886)
Business and Trade Associations – The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) (1895)
The Rise of the Interest Group State (1960s and 1970s)
Religious and Ideological Groups
Business Groups, Trade, and Professional Associations
Organized Labor

14. Top Lobbying Expenditures

15. Interest Group Ratings of Selected Member of Congress

16. What Makes an Interest Group Successful?
In general three factors tend to lead to interest group success:
Leaders – Having a prominent leader aids in the reputation of the group and enhances a group’s ability to attain its goals.
Patrons and Funding – Funding is critical. Without money, it is difficult to get your message out.
Members – A group must have members to be successful. Organizing members allows for strength in numbers and pooling of financial support.

17. Pluralism and its Critics
Pluralist theory argues that interest group activity brings representation to all.
Interest groups compete and counterbalance one another.
Three criticism of pluralism are
It gives short shrift to those who are not organized.
It fails to deal with the fact that some interests have more power than others.
It seems to leave no room for consideration of transcendent national interests.

18. Hyperpluralist Theory
Hyperpluralists argue that when interest groups become so powerful that they dominate the political decision-making structures they render any consideration of the greater public interest impossible.

19. What Interest Groups Do
Iron Triangle-the combination of interest groups, legislative committees, and government administrators who determine the outcome of political decisions.

20. Types of Interest Groups
Economic
Social
Religious
Ideological
Single-Issue
Public Interest

21. Types of Interest Groups
Economic (Business, Labor, Agriculture, Professions)
Interest groups commonly form around economic issues.
Business groups are among the most powerful of all interest groups.
Business interest groups join together to better enhance their strength.
Examples include: National Association of Manufacturers, American Bar Association
2. Social (gender, race, and ethnic discrimination, economic advancement)
The women's movement is tied to politics, many of the movement's goals are related to political issues.
Ties have been strengthened by the increasing number of women who run for political office.
The NAACP is a major social interest group
Dedicated to the interests of African Americans

22. Types of Interest Groups
3. Religious (religious freedom)
Although we have separation of church and state, there are a number of religious interest groups.
Members often belong to the Christian Right, a conservative group that gets involved in the political process.
They want a constitutional amendment to allow school prayer, they want the teaching of creationism in schools, and are against the teaching of anything other than abstinence.
4. Ideological (impact of specific public policy)
Some groups pursue a political agenda.
When the agenda is broad, the group is characterized as ideological.
Clear philosophy of government action.
Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), liberal perspective on American politics.
Ratings of members of Congress, calling attention to liberal values.
Proposition 8 in CA

23. Types of Interest Groups
5. Single-Issue (narrow agenda, limited goals)
Single issue groups have a narrow agenda and limited political goals.
Anti-abortion movement is the most visible.
National Right To Life Committee wants to ban abortion.
These groups think political candidates should be supported based upon their views on abortion.
6. Public Interest (Broadly defined consumer and general welfare goals)
Public interest groups represent the public as a whole.
Focus on product safety and effective government regulation of industry.

24. Criticism of Interest Groups
Interest Groups have been criticized for
Ignoring the wider interest of society
Producing confusion and deadlock in Congress
Generating so much emotion that they make reasoned discussion difficult
Having too much influence

25. Important Points to Think About
Interest Groups
promote interest in public affairs
provide useful information
serve as watchdogs
represent the interest of citizens

26. Foundation of Democracy
Classic democratic theory states that we must be interested in politics, and be active in the political process
Many people are uninterested or inactive in politics. However, interest groups make sure that everyone's interest in represented without being politically active.

27. Political Parties
Political party- an organization that seeks to influence public policy by putting its own members into positions of governmental authority.
What is the distinction between an interest group and a political party?
Interest groups want to influence, while political parties want to control government

28. What Political Parties Do
1. Socialization functions
People tend to identify with a political party, parties help to structure people's perceptions of politics
Parties educate citizens about politics
Parties tell voters what is going on, and how it affects them.
2. Electoral functions
Integration of interests. There must be candidates to satisfy needs common to large numbers of voters.
The set of alternatives is simplified. Voters usually find one candidate that reflects their views, leads to a less number of candidates on the ballot.
Parties complement the legally established process for choosing officials. Setting up procedures for determining who will represent a party.
3. Governmental functions
Parties organize government
Parties help make government responsible to the people. We reward a party for doing a good job, and punish the party for doing a bad job.

29. A Two-Party System
Two-party system- a system in which only two parties have a chance of winning office.
Why the two party system?
Plurality election system-candidate wins by just getting the most votes, even if is less than a majority.
Proportional representation- offices are awarded in proportion to the percentage of votes a party receives.
Encourages the growth of more than two parties because a party that places third or fourth can still win seats.

30. A Two-Party System
Other than the electoral system having an impact, other factors contribute to our two-party system.
Centrist distribution of opinions
The impact of history
Absence of intense ethnic and religious divisions that lead to fragmentation in society