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Interest Groups
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K Street Is there too much money in US politics?
What groups would you associate yourself with? How would you participate? Row of office-buildings in DC Home of interest groups and lobbies Many cleavages between people Many entry points into the system Many opportunities open by weak parties
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Birth of Interest Groups
Began with independence Exploded in the 1960/70s Broad economic developments Farmers, Unions Government Policies Wars, Professional Organizations Strong Leadership Social Movements, Education, Religious Revivals Expanding Role of Government
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Institutional Organizations
Non-member groups Led by DC lawyers and public relations experts Represents business and trade associations Governments, foundations, universities Small and specific or large and general If the US Chamber of Commerce collects and spends so much money why do they not get the legislation they want every time?
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Membership Organizations
Is America a nation of joiners? Religious Civic Political Political efficacy Civic duty What is the incentive to join?
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Ideological Interest Groups
Coherent and controversial principles Purposive Public Citizen (Nader) Sierra Club (Muir) ACLU Public Interest – benefits nonmembers Most public Timing What is there motive to stay in the public eye? Why do they often prefer hostile administrations?
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Incentives Solidary – social rewards Local PTA American Legion
League of Women Voters Material – money, goods and services Farm Bureaus AARP NEA Purposive – causes or principles
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Staff Influence More influence in solidary and material groups
Different than members Publicity for purposive groups Contacts with media Public press releases Crisis lobbies
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Social Movements Widely shared demand for change in some aspect of social or political order Look for commonality and differences on the next 3 slides Scandal Public outcry Dramatic activities Coming of age of a new generation
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Environmental Movement
1890 – city beautiful 1930 – conservation 1970 – clean water, air, food Many organizations Small, extreme, active Large, moderate, passive
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Feminist Movement 1830 – voting, abolition 1890 – voting, prohibition
1970 – ERA 3 kinds of organizations Solidary = middle class, educated, moderate Purposive = local independence, controversy Material = specific benefits Counter movements
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Unions 1930 – winning support 1950 – peak membership
2000 – less influential, specific industries Member benefits Public sector employees
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Funding Member dues Foundation grants Federal grants and contracts
Small, inconsistent Foundation grants Large, few beneficiaries Federal grants and contracts Large, unreported Direct mail New, specialized
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Bias Should the American people be concerned about improprieties?
Wealthy, well-educated More likely to join More influential Better represented Divided politically Conflicts among elites Resources give clues to legislation
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Information Single most important work Too many issues for legislators
Power words Facts and data Will they tell the truth? Accountability Relationships
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Services Client politics Political cues Ratings system Public support
Insider strategy Outsider strategy Grassroots lobbying
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Money and PACs Campaign finance reform Reduce amount Creation of PACs
How effective is money in American politics? Campaign finance reform Reduce amount Creation of PACs Independence of legislators Legislators have their own PACs Probably does not change votes Gain access to political system
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Revolving Door Legislators leaving to become lobbyists
Lobbyists joining staffs or private sector Ethics in Government Act (1978) Investigative reporting of abuse Conflict of interest
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Trouble Displays, attention, disruption More generally accepted
Stop business Force negotiations Enlist support Create martyrs No-win situations
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Regulation First Amendment protections 1946 Regulation of Lobbying Act
Supreme Court ruling limited authority Direct contact with members Grassroots activity not included Lack of enforcement 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act Reporting of clients and expenditures Justice Department Investigations Tax incentives (exempt status is most important) Revised in 2007 (large fines for not reporting)
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