1. Interest Groups
Chapter 13

2. In this discussion you will learn about
The various roles interest groups play in the U.S. political system and the ways they organize.
The many types of interest groups and the kinds of interests they represent.
How interest groups attempt to exert their influence through lobbying and campaign activities.
The resources that different interest groups bring to bear on influencing government decisions.
The relationship of citizens to interest groups in American politics—and the question of whether interest group politics is biased in favor of certain groups in society.

3. Interest Groups Interest group:
(also called an advocacy group, lobbying group, pressure group, or special interest) is a group, either loosely or tightly organized, that is determined to encourage or prevent changes in public policy without being directly elected. In other words, an organization of people with shared ideas and attitudes who attempt to influence public policy.

4. Similar to Interest groups
Faction: a group of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.
Political action committee (PAC): the fundraising arm of an interest group
Mitt Romney's political action committee raised $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2010, blowing away the total of $400,000 raised by Sarah Palin in the same period, while Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty raised over $560,000.
(2010 9m, m as of 11/11)

5. Roles of interest groups
Represent specific public or private interests
Lobbying: interest group activities aimed at persuading policymakers to support the group’s positions
“educate” lawmakers and citizens as to why their position is correct
Influence the agenda of lawmakers
Can include donations
Present opinions showing why their program or policy alternatives are best alternatives
Can be a watch dog “monitor” of current programs

7. The Interest Group Problem
Interest groups help with public education, campaigning, donations, and even with the crafting of legislation.
Are seen to influence legislative behavior
Local example of the Builders Association writing the City zoning code.
Express Scripts and parties in Jefferson City

8. The co-opt
When a special interest group benefits from “distortionary” economic/public policies.
The general public suffers from such policies, but the government implements these policies anyway and feels forced to implement such policies or face the loss of outside assistance.
Taxing the wealthiest Americans?
Depending on the domestic political environment, the implementation of such policies may end up being effective, unnecessary, or even counterproductive.

9. The Interest Group Dilemma
Campaigning in the modern age is almost constant. Candidates need interest group support for money and for information as issues become more complex.
However, candidates cannot seem associated with interest groups or the public will feel like interest group concerns dominate citizen/constituent concerns.

10. Popular Interest Groups
Left
Right
Greenpeace USA
NARRAL - National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League
NAACP - National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The Sierra Club
National Rifle Association
National Right to Life Committee
Family Research Council
The Christian Coalition
The John Birch Society

11. Popular Interest Groups
Focus is the “interest”; can sometimes seem left or right
AARP - American Association for Retired Persons
American Civil Liberties Union (defends free speech rights of any ideology – anti gun restrictions, and anti Defense of Marriage Act)
Amnesty International USA (focus is on human rights violations)
For a list if U.S. Interest Groups

12. Good and Bad
Interest Groups, when they seem to promote “your” special interest, are seen as good. When they oppose your interest, are seen as bad or unfairly influencing political outcomes

13. Formation of interest groups
When there is a common problem or threat
When there is leadership
Interest group entrepreneurs
E.g., Cesar Chavez, Ralph Nader, Candy Lightner

14. Interest Group Leaders
Cesar Estrada Chavez founded and led the first successful farm workers' union in U.S. history. When he passed away on 23 April 1993, he was president of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO

15. Interest Group Leaders
Candy Lightner founded MADD in 1980 after her daughter, Cari, was killed by a repeat drunk driving offender

16. Free rider problem
Free rider problem: A recruiting difficulty groups face because potential members can gain the benefits of the group’s actions whether or not they join
Free riders often receive a collective good.
Collective good: a good or service that, by its very nature, cannot be denied to anyone who wants to consume it
E.g., Public safety, clean air, national defense

17. Overcoming the free rider problem
Selective incentives: benefits available only to group members as inducements to get them to join
Material benefit: selective incentive in the form of a tangible reward (mug, t-shirt, name printed in newsletter)
Solidary benefit: selective incentive related to the interaction and bonding among group members (friendship, sense of belonging and well being)

18. Overcoming the free rider problem, cont’d.
Selective incentives, cont’d.
Expressive benefit: selective incentive that derives from the opportunity to express values and beliefs and to be committed to a greater cause (warm fuzzy feeling; sense of righteousness)
Interest groups use a mix of incentives to encourage group membership

19. Types of interest groups
Economic interest groups: organize to influence government policy for the economic benefit of members
Corporations and business associations
E.g., National Association of Manufacturers, Chamber of Commerce, Tobacco Institute, General Electric
Unions and professional associations
E.g., AFL-CIO, (The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) Teamsters, AMA (American Medical Association), ABA (American Bar Association), NEA (National Education Association).
Agricultural interest groups
E.g., American Farm Bureau, Altria, ConAgra

20. Economic Interest Groups
National Association of
Manufacturers
Teamsters

21. Types of interest groups, cont’d.
Equal opportunity interest groups: organize to promote the civil and economic rights of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups
Age
E.g., AARP (Am. Assoc. of Retired Persons), Children’s Defense Fund
Race and Ethnicity
E.g., NAACP (Nat. Assoc. for the Advancement of Colored People), LULAC (League of Latin Am. Citizens), AIM (American Indian Movement)

22. Types of interest groups, cont’d.
Equal opportunity interest groups:
Gender
E.g., NOW (National Organization for Women), EMILY’s List, Eagle Forum (Phyllis Schlafly)
Sexual orientation
E.g., GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders)
, PFLAG (Parents, Families And Friends Of Lesbians And Gays), Log Cabin Republicans

23. Types of interest groups, cont’d.
Public interest groups: organize to influence government to produce collective goods or services that benefit the general public
Environmental groups
E.g., Sierra Club, Greenpeace
Consumer groups
E.g., Public Citizen, Consumers Union, MOPIRG
Religious groups
E.g., Christian Coalition, Anti-Defamation League
Anti-Defamation League

24. Public Interest Groups

25. Types of interest groups, cont’d.
Public interest groups, cont’d.
Second Amendment groups
E.g., NRA, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Reproductive rights groups
E.g., National Right to Life Committee
Human rights
E.g., ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), Amnesty International
Animal rights
E.g., Humane Society, PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

26. Public Interest Groups

27. Types of interest groups, cont’d.
Government interest groups: organize to lobby the U.S. federal government to influence national policy
Foreign governments
E.g., China
State and local governments
E.g., National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, U.S. Conference of Mayors
Intergovernmental interests
East_West Gateway

28. Interest group politics
Direct lobbying: direct interaction
with public officials for the purpose
of influencing policy decisions
Professional Lobby Firms
Indirect lobbying: attempts to influence government policymakers by encouraging the general public to put pressure on them
Recall: Direct lobbying of the Supreme Court is illegal, but indirect lobbying is common. With the Supreme Court, the form may be in terms of public opinion or via amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs, which often are drafted by interest groups.

29. Direct lobbying: Congress
Strategies for congressional lobbying
Personal contacts
Campaign contributions
PACs – recent regulations and loopholes coalition
Providing expert testimony
Accurate information to Congress
Use of professional lobbyists
Revolving door: tendency of public officials, journalists, and lobbyists to move between public and private sectors
Starting salaries have risen to about $300,000 a year (2005 figure) and for former administrators, $600,000 to 1 million per year.

30. Interest Groups and Lobbying
Although federal law requires lawmakers to wait a year after leaving office to lobby Congress, former Congress members can “advise” lobbyists and clients.
Republican Official turned Lobbyist

31. Congressmen turned lobbyists
For example, of the 39 ex-lawmakers rejected by voters in the 2006 Congressional elections, 3 immediately landed jobs at firms that seek to influence Congress. The hires include two Republicans — Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania and Conrad Burns of Montana — who lost in part because of allegations of ethical lapses

32. Bart Stupac
Democrat Turned Lobbyist
NYT Coverage

33. Direct lobbying: Congress, cont’d.
Lobbying reform
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
lobbyists are required to register with the Clerk of the House of Representative and the Secretary of the Senate. Anyone failing to do so is punishable by a civil fine of up to $50,000. The clerk and secretary must refer any acts of non-compliance to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.

34. Obama Campaign Promise
Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials
"No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.“
William Lynn, deputy secretary for defense, was a lobbyist for the defense contractor Raytheon.
Current status via PolitiFact 

35. Astroturf political campaigns
Grassroots lobbying: indirect lobbying efforts that spring from widespread public concern
In contrast to:
Astroturf lobbying: indirect lobbying efforts by interest groups that manipulate or create public sentiment, “astroturf” being artificial grassroots
Pure grassroots lobbying is becoming increasingly rare, but astroturf public interest lobbying is growing
Lobbying moving away from Congress to public, but this may not be any more democratic
Only 13 percent of American voters say they are part of the Tea Party movement