1. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

3. Chapter 11: Interest Groups The Role of Interest Groups Theories of Interest Group Politics What Makes an Interest Group Successful How Groups Try to Shape Policy Types of Interest Groups Understanding Interest Groups Summary

4. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives The Role of Interest Groups LO 11.1: Describe the role of interest groups in American politics. Theories of Interest Group Politics LO 11.2: Compare and contrast the theories of pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralism.

5. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives What Makes an Interest Group Successful What Makes an Interest Group Successful LO 11.3: Analyze the factors that make some interest groups more successful than others in the political arena. How Groups Try to Shape Policy LO 11.4: Assess the four basic strategies that interest groups use to try to shape policy.

6. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives Types of Interest Groups LO 11.5: Identify the various types of interest groups and their policy concerns. Understanding Interest Groups LO 11.6: Evaluate how well Madison’s ideas for controlling the influence of interest groups have worked in practice.

7. The Role of Interest Groups LO 11.1: Describe the role of interest groups in American politics. Interest Group An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals. Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas. To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

8. The Role of Interest Groups Interest groups are distinct from political parties. Political parties fight election battles; interest groups do not field candidates for office but may choose sides. Interest groups are policy specialists; political parties are policy generalists. LO 11.1 To Learning Objectives

9. Theories of Interest Group Politics LO 11.2: Compare and contrast the theories of pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralism. Pluralism Elitism Hyperpluralism To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

10. Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralist Theory Competition among groups trying to get their preferred policies. Elite Theory Upper-class elite holds most of the power and run government. Hyperpluralist Theory Groups are so strong that government is weakened. LO 11.2 To Learning Objectives

11. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralism Groups provide a link between the people and the government. Groups compete and no one group will become too dominant. Groups play by “rules the game.” Groups weak in one resource may use another. Lobbying is open to all groups. To Learning Objectives LO 11.2

12. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Theories of Interest Group Politics Elitism Groups are unequal in power. Awesome power is held by the largest corporations. Power of a few is fortified by interlocking directorates. Other groups win minor policy battles, but corporate elites win the big decisions. To Learning Objectives LO 11.2

13. To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.2

14. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Theories of Interest Group Politics Hyperpluralism Groups have become too powerful as government tries to appease every conceivable interest. Interest group liberalism is aggravated by numerous iron triangles. Trying to please every group results in contradictory and confusing policy. To Learning Objectives LO 11.2

15. What Makes an Interest Group Successful LO 11.3: Analyze the factors that make some interest groups more successful than others in the political arena. The Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups Intensity Financial Resources To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

16. LO 11.3 To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

17. What Makes an Interest Group Successful Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups Potential group – People who might be group members because they share some common interest. Actual group – Potential group members who actually join group. Collective good – Something of value that cannot be withheld from a potential group member. To Learning Objectives LO 11.3

18. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What Makes an Interest Group Successful Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups (cont.) Free-rider problem – Problem of people not joining because they can benefit from the group’s activities without joining. Selective benefits – Goods that a group can restrict to those who actually join. To Learning Objectives LO 11.3

19. To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.3

20. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What Makes an Interest Group Successful Intensity A large potential group may be mobilized through an issue that people feel intensely about. Politicians are more likely to listen a group that shows it cares deeply about an issue. Single-issue groups – Narrow interest, dislike compromise, and members are new to politics. To Learning Objectives LO 11.3

21. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What Makes an Interest Group Successful Financial Resources Not all groups have equal amounts of money. Monetary donations translate into access to the politicians, such as a phone call, meeting, or support for policy. Wealthier groups have more resources and access, but they do not always win on policy. To Learning Objectives LO 11.3

22. How Groups Try to Shape Policy LO 11.4: Assess the four basic strategies that interest groups use to try to shape policy. Lobbying Electioneering Litigation Going Public To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

23. How Groups Try to Shape Policy Lobbying Communication to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his or her decision. Lobbyists are (1) a source of information; (2) helping to get legislation passed; (3) helping to formulate campaign strategy; and (4) a source of ideas and innovations. LO 11.4 To Learning Objectives

24. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.4

25. To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.4

26. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman How Groups Try to Shape Policy Electioneering Direct group involvement in the electoral process by helping to fund campaigns, getting members to work for candidates, and forming political action committees (PACs). PACs are political funding vehicles created by the 1974 campaign finance reforms. To Learning Objectives LO 11.4

27. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman How Groups Try to Shape Policy Litigation Amicus curiae briefs – Written arguments submitted to the courts in support of one side of a case. Class action lawsuits – Enable a group of people in a similar situation to combine their common grievances into a single suit. To Learning Objectives LO 11.4

28. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman How Groups Try to Shape Policy Going Public Groups try to (1) cultivate a good public image; (2) build a reservoir of goodwill with the public; (3) use marketing strategies to influence public opinion of the group and its issues; and (4) advertise to motivate and inform the public about an issue. To Learning Objectives LO 11.4

29. To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.4

30. Types of Interest Groups LO 11.5: Identify the various types of interest groups and their policy concerns. Economic Interests Environmental Interests Equality Interests Consumer and Other Public Interest Lobbies To Learning Objectives

31. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Types of Interest Groups Economic Interests Labor – Union organizations press for policies to ensure better working conditions and higher wages. Business – Interests generally unified when it comes to promoting greater profits but are often fragmented when policy choices have to be made. LO 11.5 To Learning Objectives

32. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.5

33. To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.5

34. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Types of Interest Groups Environmental Interests Environmental groups promote policies to control pollution and to combat global warming, wilderness protection, and species preservation. They oppose supersonic aircraft, nuclear power plants, drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and strip mining. To Learning Objectives LO 11.5

35. To Learning Objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.5

36. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Types of Interest Groups Equality Interests Two sets of interest groups, representing minorities and women, have made equal rights their main policy goal. Equality groups press for equality at the polls, in housing, on the job, in education, and in all other facets of American life. To Learning Objectives LO 11.5

37. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Types of Interest Groups Consumer and Other Public Interest Lobbies Public interest lobbies – Groups that seek a collective good, and the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or activists of the organization. To Learning Objectives LO 11.5

38. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Types of Interest Groups Consumer and Other Public Interest Lobbies (cont.) Consumer groups – In 1973, Congress responded to consumer advocacy by creating the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which it authorized to regulate all consumer products and to ban products that were dangerous. To Learning Objectives LO 11.5

39. Understanding Interest Groups LO 11.6: Evaluate how well Madison’s ideas for controlling the influence of interest groups have worked in practice. Interest Groups and Democracy Interest Groups and the Scope of Government To Learning Objectives

40. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Understanding Interest Groups Interest Groups and Democracy James Madison wanted a wide-open system in which groups compete. Pluralists – Public interest prevails from this competition. Elite theorists – Proliferation of business PACs is evidence of interest group corruption. Hyperpluralists – Influence of groups lead to policy gridlock. LO 11.6 To Learning Objectives

41. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Understanding Interest Groups Interest Groups and the Scope of Government Interest groups seek to maintain policies and programs that benefit them. Interest groups pressure government to do more things. As the government does more, more groups form to get more. To Learning Objectives LO 11.6

42. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.1 Summary The Role of Interest Groups Interest groups consist of groups that participate in the political process in order to promote the policy goals which members share. They usually focus their efforts on one specific issue area, unlike political parties, which have to address all issues on the public agenda. To Learning Objectives

43. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Interest groups are often policy. A.specialists B.generalists C.regulators D.implementors LO 11.1 To Learning Objectives

44. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Interest groups are often policy. A.specialists B.generalists C.regulators D.implementors To Learning Objectives LO 11.1

45. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.2 Summary Theories of Interest Group Politics The theory of pluralism asserts that the policymaking process is very open to the participation of all interest groups, with no single group usually dominating. Pluralists tend to believe that as a result the public interest generally prevails. To Learning Objectives

46. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.2 Summary Theories of Interest Group Politics (cont.) Elitism contends that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal governmental organization. Hyperpluralism – So many groups are so strong, that government is weakened and its ability to make effective policy is crippled. To Learning Objectives

47. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following is NOT an element of the pluralist group theory of politics? A.Groups provide a crucial link between people and government. B.Groups usually follow the rules of the game. C.Groups compete with each other. D.Groups become too dominant. LO 11.2 To Learning Objectives

48. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following is NOT an element of the pluralist group theory of politics? A.Groups provide a crucial link between people and government. B.Groups usually follow the rules of the game. C.Groups compete with each other. D.Groups become too dominant. To Learning Objectives LO 11.2

49. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.3 Summary What Makes an Interest Group Successful Groups that have large numbers of potential members are usually less effective than groups that have a smaller potential membership, because it is easier to mobilize members of a smaller group, who have more incentive to participate. To Learning Objectives

50. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.3 Summary What Makes an Interest Group Successful (cont.) Both large and small groups can benefit from the intensity of their members’ beliefs. Money always helps lubricate the wheels of power, though it is hardly a surefire guarantee of success. To Learning Objectives

51. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The more a group has, the more successful it tends to be. A.intensity B.financial resources C.potential members D.all of the above LO 11.3 To Learning Objectives

52. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The more a group has, the more successful it tends to be. A.intensity B.financial resources C.potential members D.all of the above To Learning Objectives LO 11.3

53. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.4 Summary How Groups Try to Shape Policy Lobbying is one group strategy and lobbyists are most effective with those legislators already sympathetic to their side. Electioneering becomes critical because it helps put supportive people in office. To Learning Objectives

54. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.4 Summary How Groups Try to Shape Policy (cont.) Groups operate in the judicial as well as the legislative process, using litigation in the courts when lobbying fails or is not enough. Many groups project a good image, employing public relations techniques to present themselves in the most favorable light. To Learning Objectives

55. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following is NOT a tactic interest groups use? A.Lobbying to influence policy. B.Forming political action committees to influence elections. C.Fielding candidates for office in general elections. D.Litigating to influence policy through the courts. LO 11.4 To Learning Objectives

56. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following is NOT a tactic interest groups use? A.Lobbying to influence policy. B.Forming political action committees to influence elections. C.Fielding candidates for office in general elections. D.Litigating to influence policy through the courts. To Learning Objectives LO 11.4

57. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.5 Summary Types of Interest Groups Economic interest groups involve business and labor, with business focusing on governmental regulations and subsidies and labor focusing on policies to ensure good working conditions and wages. Environmental interests are global warming, pollution, wilderness protection, and endangered species. To Learning Objectives

58. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.5 Summary Types of Interest Groups (cont.) Equality interest groups promote the fair treatment of groups that have been discriminated against in the past, such as African Americans and women. Public interest lobbies pursue policy objectives that they believe will benefit all citizens, such as consumer protection laws. To Learning Objectives

59. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following type of interest group tends to push for a collective good? A.Consumer groups B.Environmental groups C.Equality groups D.All of the above LO 11.5 To Learning Objectives

60. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following type of interest group tends to push for a collective good? A.Consumer groups B.Environmental groups C.Equality groups D.All of the above To Learning Objectives LO 11.5

61. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.6 Summary Understanding Interest Groups The issue of controlling interest groups remains as crucial to democracy today as it was in James Madison’s time. Some scholars (Pluralist Theory) believe that the growth of interest groups has worked to divide political influence, just as Madison hoped it would. To Learning Objectives

62. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman LO 11.6 Summary Understanding Interest Groups (cont.) Critics of the Pluralist Theory (Elite Theory and Hyperpluralist Theory) focus on the political action committee (PAC) system as the new way in which special interests corrupt American democracy, or on the problem of too many groups having too much power to block policy change. To Learning Objectives

63. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which theory of interest group politics best correlates with Madison’s ideas for controlling interest groups? A.Hyperpluralist Theory B.Elite Theory C.Pluralist Theory D.Class Theory LO 11.6 To Learning Objectives

64. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which theory of interest group politics best correlates with Madison’s ideas for controlling interest groups? A.Hyperpluralist Theory B.Elite Theory C.Pluralist Theory D.Class Theory To Learning Objectives LO 11.6

65. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Text Credits Quote from Americans Against Food Taxes ad used with permission. “The Power 25” from Fortune, May 28, 2001, Time Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of the Material without express written permission is prohibited. Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2010, Table 650, http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0650.pdf. Federal Election Commission.

66. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Photo Credits 304: Getty 305T: AP Photo 305TC: Jeffrey Markowitz/Corbis 305TB: Getty Images 305B: AP Photo 309: Jim Bourgman. Reprinted with special permission of King Feature Syndicate 317: AP Photo 318: Tribune Media Services. All Rights reserved. Reprinted with permission 320: Jeffrey Markowitz/Corbis 322: Getty Images 324: Getty Images 325: AP Photo 326 Carlo Aligen/Getty Images