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Interest Groups Organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals.

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Presentation on theme: "Interest Groups Organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals."— Presentation transcript:

1 Interest Groups Organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals

2 Interest Groups vs. Political Parties Do not run their own slate of candidates Policy specialists vs. Policy generalists Do not face constraint of appealing to masses

3 Factions & Madison Federalist #10 Source of Factions = unequal distribution of wealth We are a NATION of factions

4 Types of Interest Groups Economic Labor Ideological Public Interest Foreign Policy Gov’t Veteran, Nationality & Religious

5 Economic Business & Corporations Trade Associations ◦ Chamber of Commerce of the United States ◦ National Association of Manufacturers ◦ National Association of the Self-Employed

6 Labor Professional standards, Wages & Working Conditions ◦ American Farm Bureau Federation ◦ Knights of Labor Open Shop vs. Closed Shop “Free Riders” Decline in Membership ◦ Form coalitions to try to gain strength Democrats & labor unions Professional Association- some of strongest unions in the nation ◦ American Bar Association ◦ American Medical Association ◦ American Psychological Association

7 Ideological Single Interest Group ◦ Christian Coalition ◦ ACLU

8 Public Interest Group Public Charity Groups ◦ American Heart Association

9 Foreign policy Devoted to exerting pressure on legislature or executive to enact specific policies ◦ American-Israel political Action Committee

10 Government National Governor’s Association National Association of Counties

11 Characteristics Size, Concentration/Dispersion & Resources Cohesiveness ◦ Centralized disciplined group Techniques ◦ Publicity/Mass Media ◦ Mass Mailing ◦ Litigation ◦ Electioneering  Labor supports Democrats  Business supports Republicans ◦ Forming 3 rd parties

12 The Influence of Lobbyists Activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact. ◦ Lobbying is most effective on people who already support groups interest Revolving Door (moving from gov’t job to interest group) ◦ Creates Iron Triangles or Issues Networks  Mutually supporting relationship among interest groups, congressional committees & gov’t agencies that share a common policy concern  Ex- Dept of Veteran Affairs, House/Senate committees on Veterans affairs & Veterans organizations have a tight mutually advantageous alliance.

13 What do Lobbyists do? Provide money for congressional election campaigns Serve as a 3 rd House of Congress Provide Political information (who supports what) Provide Amicus Curiae Briefs to Courts Provide information about the impact of proposed laws ◦ Probably what they focus most of their attention on

14 Role of PACs PAC- representing different interest groups PAC- finances different candidates & may lobby ◦ Give $ & other political aids to politicians & persuade them to act or vote “the right way” on issues ◦ Can contribute 5k to a federal candidate in an election or 10k per election cycle Campaign Finance Reform law 1973 made it legal for corporations & unions to create PACs & make donations

15 Who can create PACs Almost ANYONE! Over ½ PACs are sponsored by corporations 1/10 th sponsored by Unions Ideological PACs ◦ 1/3 liberal & 2/3 conservative ◦ Raise more money – but use more money on raising money


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