1. Unit 5: The Electoral Process
Lecture & Discussion 2: Interest Groups

2. Enduring Understanding
Interest groups are a type of linkage institution, which allows individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers in government.

3. Objective(s)
To explain the function and impact of interest groups on the electoral process and governance.

4. Do Now
Watch the video “Interest Groups and Lobbying” to respond to the prompts.
What is an interest group?
What is lobbying?
Provide an example of an interest group and an issues it may lobby to members of Congress.

5. A. Proliferation of Interest Groups
K Street: location of offices of the nearly 7,000 organizations represented in Washington, D.C.
Reasons
the more cleavages there are in society, the greater variety of interests that will exist
U.S. Constitution creates multiple access points for groups by establishing the division and separation of powers
the growing weakness of political parties in this country

6. B. Types of SIGs
Economic Groups: organizations that seek “private goods” which benefit individuals by offering “material incentives” to members
Business: well funded, influential groups that promote the pro-business interests of private companies and corporations, such as tax cuts and deregulatory activities (I.e. NAM)
Labor: groups representing unions that promote the interests of American labor force, such as increased wages and better working conditions (AFL-CIO)

7. B. Types of SIGs
Economic Groups: organizations that seek “private goods” which benefit individuals by offering “material incentives” to members
Agriculture: groups that promote the interest of family farmers and large agribusinesses, such as protection against price fluctuations (AFBF, National Grange)
Professional: groups that promote the interests of professionals, such as teachers and doctors, by regulating practices and establishing standards of conduct (National Teachers Assn)

8. B. Types of SIGs
Citizens’ Groups: organizations that seek “public goods” which benefit society by offering “selective incentives” (I.e. purposive, solidarity & informational)
Public: groups that promote the perceived “collective good” of society, such as protecting ecosystems around the globe or lobbying for campaign finance reform (I.e. Green Peace)
Single-issue: passionate groups that are motivated to work on one specific issue, such as rights to own guns or get an abortion (I.e. National Rifle Association)

9. B. Types of SIGs
Citizens’ Groups: organizations that seek “public goods” which benefit society by offering “selective incentives” (I.e. purposive, solidarity & informational)
Ideological: groups with broad aims that work to change cultural norms, values, and prevailing stereotypes (I.e. Christian Coalition)
Government: government groups that represent the interests of local, state, or foreign governments in Congress and the White House (I.e. National Governor’s Association)

10. C. Power of Persuasion Information
lobbyists influence busy elected officials by offering “political cues” in the form of arguments and evidence that support positions on policy matters
SIGs sway voters by playing the “ratings game” in which they grade candidates based on their voting records

11. C. Power of Persuasion Economic Leverage
interest groups impact elections by contributing to political campaigns and financing political ads via PACs
labor groups often seek outcomes by organizing or threatening strikes and leading boycotts of a particular company’s goods

12. C. Power of Persuasion Litigation
public-interest law firms bring lawsuits against the government to challenge practices or regulations
“amicus curiae” briefs are filed, which present an argument in favor of a particular issue

13. C. Power of Persuasion Disruption
interest groups often stage protests in order to disrupt activities, generate publicity through the media, and/or apply pressure on those they oppose in office
disruptive tactics also include marches, sit-ins, picketing, as well as violence

14. D. The Good & the Bad Pluralism
SIGs serve the common good, as competing interests balance one another out
Madison argued in Federalist 10 that factions provide opportunities for people to participate in government, as well as prevent any one minority from imposing its will on the majority

15. D. The Good & the Bad Flaws in Pluralism
interest groups seek to benefit the minority, not the greater good of society (I.e. NRA prevents sensible gun control legislation)
SIGs reflect upper class bias as most lobbyists represent economic groups, which ignore the interests of socioeconomically disadvantaged

16. D. The Good & the Bad Flaws in Pluralism
proliferation results in hyper-pluralism, which stymies the government’s ability to function
free riders reap the benefits of public goods without contributing to the group

17. The Iron Triangle
Directions: Read the text the “Iron Triangle” and answer the prompts below.
What is the iron triangle?
How does the iron triangle influence policy-making?
How do SIGs shape public opinion of Congress and the federal bureaucracy?