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2. America’s Democratic Republic Chapter 8: Interest Groups

3. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman In This Chapter How interest groups fit in democratic and 18 th -century republican doctrines Why interest groups have proliferated How interest groups lobby the government How interest groups try to mobilize the grass roots Biases in the interest group system Why large corporations hold a privileged position

4. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Introduction Constitutional protections have allowed interest groups to form and flourish Americans have historically been suspicious of groups banding together to promote their interests

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6. The Role of Interest Groups: Contrasting Views Interest groups: private organizations that try to shape public policies Voluntary Made up of people who share an interest or cause Lobby: the act of communication between an interest group and government officials

7. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman 18 th -Century Republican Doctrine Constitution does not mention interest groups Framers were suspicious of those who banded together to try to influence the thinking of government officials James Madison’s factions

8. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman 18 th -Century Republican Doctrine Federalist No. 10 Written by Madison Defined interests groups Allowed that they could be a numerical minority Controlling factions elections Large republic that would Afford the opportunity of many interest groups to form make it difficult for one group to tyrannize others

9. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman 18 th -Century Republican Doctrine Interest Groups as a Threat to Political Equality Inequality in resources Unchecked power of some groups Anti-majoritarian

10. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman 18 th -Century Republican Doctrine Interest Groups as a Road to Political Equality (Pluralist Theory) Free elections do not adequately address issues or communicate public preferences Interest groups are easy to create and open for membership

11. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman 18 th -Century Republican Doctrine Interest Groups as a Road to Political Equality (Pluralist Theory) Federalism, separation of powers and checks and balances ensure that government is open to many interest groups Ease of formation and accessibility of government ensures that many views can be heard and considered

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13. Interest Group Universe Types of Interest Groups Private Business Professions Labor Public Ideological Nonprofit sector Governmental entities

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16. Why There Are So Many Interest Groups Constitution Diverse interests More active government Disturbance theory

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18. What Interest Groups Do Lobbying: the act of contacting government officials or their staffs Inside game “one-on-one” persuasion Outside game Mobilization of constituencies Shaping public opinion

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20. What Interest Groups Do Inside Game Congress Develop personal relationships Contribute to campaigns Executive Branch Personal contact Long-term relations Campaign contributions Disseminate knowledge or technical information

21. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What Interest Groups Do Inside Game Courts Generally considered unethical Amicus curiae briefs Involvement in the appointment process

22. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What Interest Groups Do Outside Game Mobilizing group’s membership Organizing the district Involvement in campaigns and elections Molding public opinion

23. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Interest Groups and Inequality in American Politics Representational Labor unions are weak, so business and profession groups have an advantage Resource inequalities Those in business and professionally related interest groups tend to be well off Political Action Committees (PACs) 527 organizations

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25. Interest Groups and Inequality in American Politics Access Inequality Some groups can play a central role in forming and carrying out government policies Iron triangles

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27. Curing the Mischief of Factions Reform Transparency Regulating the impact of money

28. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Interest Groups and the Democratic Republic What is the “public interest”? Potential for interest groups to sway public officials Anti-majoritarian

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30. Summary Interest groups attempt to influence what government does Theorists are split on the necessity and effectiveness of groups in politics Because of their superior resources, businesses are better represented in their interests than those of a noneconomic group

31. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 1 Which of the following disperse governmental power? Federalism Checks and balances Separation of powers All of these

32. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Answer Which of the following disperse governmental power? Federalism Checks and balances Separation of powers All of these

33. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 2 __________ are organizations and associations that try to gain protections or benefits for people beyond their own members, often for society at large. Private interests Public interests Universal interests Individual interests

34. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Answer __________ are organizations and associations that try to gain protections or benefits for people beyond their own members, often for society at large. Private interests Public interests Universal interests Individual interests

35. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 3 Lobbyists spent around __________ on lobbying efforts in Congress in 2008. $30 million $830 million $3.3 billion $100 billion

36. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Answer Lobbyists spent around __________ on lobbying efforts in Congress in 2008. $30 million $830 million $3.3 billion $100 billion

37. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 4 Which of these are entities created by interest to collect money and make contributions to candidates in federal elections? PACs PLCs SECs ACCs

38. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Answer Which of these are entities created by interest to collect money and make contributions to candidates in federal elections? PACs PLCs SECs ACCs

39. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Question 5 How do money and other resources aid interest groups in their ability to influence Congress?