1. INTEREST GROUPS July 21, 2003

2. Interest Groups broad trend in the role of interest groups in American politicsbroad trend in the role of interest groups in American politics –broad scope and importance of interest groups –the increasing importance and proliferation of interest groups

3. Explaining the Broad Scope of Interest Groups socio-demographicsocio-demographic –greater diversity, more cleavages – more interest groups sizesize American constitutional systemAmerican constitutional system –many points of access for interest groups –many veto points weakness of political partiesweakness of political parties –more effective to attempt to influence legislators directly

4. Explaining the Proliferation of Interest Groups effectiveness of interest groupseffectiveness of interest groups –encourages further formation of interest groups following example of existing interest groupsfollowing example of existing interest groups to counter existing interest groupsto counter existing interest groups external factorsexternal factors –expansion of government –New Politics and public interest groups feminist movement, environmental movementfeminist movement, environmental movement –conservative interest groups Christian Coalition, National Taxpayers Union, National Rifle AssociationChristian Coalition, National Taxpayers Union, National Rifle Association

5. Strategies of Interest Groups lobbyinglobbying involvement in electoral politicsinvolvement in electoral politics –PACs litigationlitigation –groups can turn to the courts if they are not successful in the legislative and executive branches “going public” -- trying to influence public opinion“going public” -- trying to influence public opinion

6. Strategies of Interest Groups the paradox of interest groups...the paradox of interest groups... –interest groups with the most power often do not have to lobby/campaign openly –high levels of publicity may signal an interest groups weakness rather than strength

7. Regulating Interest Groups campaign finance regulationscampaign finance regulations –PAC contributions –third party advertising Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995

8. Regulating Interest Groups Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 –definition of “lobbyist” people who spend 20% of their professional time lobbyingpeople who spend 20% of their professional time lobbying people who are paid $5,000+ to lobby in any 6 month periodpeople who are paid $5,000+ to lobby in any 6 month period –disclosure requirements names of clientsnames of clients income and expenditureincome and expenditure issues on which they have workedissues on which they have worked

9. Regulating Interest Groups Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 –definition of “lobbyist” –disclosure requirements –non-tax exempt status charitable organizations that devote a “substantial part” of their activities to “attempting to influence legislation” lose charitable tax-exempt statuscharitable organizations that devote a “substantial part” of their activities to “attempting to influence legislation” lose charitable tax-exempt status e.g. Sierra Club (1968)e.g. Sierra Club (1968)

10. The Role of Interest Groups in American Democracy pluralismpluralism –all interests are free to compete –outcome of competition is compromise and moderation no one group likely to completely dominateno one group likely to completely dominate –outcome of such competition is some approximation of the general will if there was sufficient opposition to a given policy, a countervailing interest group would formif there was sufficient opposition to a given policy, a countervailing interest group would form

11. The Role of Interest Groups in American Democracy critiques of pluralismcritiques of pluralism –there isn’t a level playing field all groups can compete hypothetically but, in reality, the system favours certain interestsall groups can compete hypothetically but, in reality, the system favours certain interests –focus on group membership undermines the collective capacity of the community as a whole

12. Main Point! interest groups (and their regulation) highlights the tension between individual rights and mass participationinterest groups (and their regulation) highlights the tension between individual rights and mass participation –individual rights cannot stop individuals from organizing into groups in order to influence the political processcannot stop individuals from organizing into groups in order to influence the political process –mass participation interest group membership an alternative mechanism of participating in the political process (in addition to voting)interest group membership an alternative mechanism of participating in the political process (in addition to voting) HOWEVER, to what degree do interest groups overwhelm/undermine the role of the individual in the political process?HOWEVER, to what degree do interest groups overwhelm/undermine the role of the individual in the political process?