Interest groups

Interest groups

Another ugly term

• Madison in Fed #10- warned against factions• Today still hated- “ My mom never introduces me as

‘My son the lobbyist’. I can’t say I blame her”• “Glorified pimp”• The government, which was designed for the people,

has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up above the forms of democracy. - Woodrow Wilson

No joke, they really are hated• A minister and a Lobbyist arrived at the pearly gates, Saint Peter greeted both of

them and gave them their room assignments."Pastor, here are the keys to one of our nicest efficiency units. And for you, sir, the keys to our finest penthouse suite.""This is unfair!" cried the minister."Listen," Saint Peter said, "ministers are a dime a dozen up here, but this is the first Lobbyist we've ever seen."

• Q: What do you call 25 skydiving lobbyists?A: Skeet.

• Q: What’s the difference between a lobbyist and an onion?A: You cry when you cut up an onion.

Hated? Here’s why…..

Pluralist or elitist?

• Pluralist view: • Groups provide link from voters to

government• Groups compete- none dominate• Usually play by rules• Groups weak in ne resource use another –ex.

Unions have numbers, big business has $

• Elitist view:• Numerous groups mean nothing because power varies• Large corporations dominate, no other even close• Iron triangles- bureaucracy/int group/ cong

committee ( now issue network with others added• Interlocking directorates increase their power- 1/3 of

top positions( corp boards, university trusteeships,foundations) held by people on more than one board

Interlocked big shots

Are interest groups effective?

• University of Toronto study in 2001:• More pork $ to school districts that spent

money on lobbying BUT:• School districts with a senator on

Appropriations Committee received $18-$128 for every $ spent. Those with a member on the House Appropriations Comm. Got $45-$55 for every $ spent. All other received $1 for every $41 spent . OUCH.

Are the effective con’t

• Mr. Senator meet Mr NRA

Do they really work this way?

• One could only hope

Why so common?

• Got an issue, you’ve got a group:– Irritate your representative

So why so many?1. Lots of cleavages2. Federalism creates various levels on entry3. Political parties are weak, we use interest groups

instead

What the heck do they do?

• Lobbying- provide info, help pass legislation- iffy as it is hard to get a person to change ideological viewpoint

• Electioneering- campaign/PAC money etc• Litigation- Brown v the Board (NAACP) amicus

brief• Going public- public opinion polls etc report cards

Who got an A?• Form own party- Green party an example

Number of groups lobbying in 2009 on healthcare bill

Periods of growth

• 1820’s-40’s Anti slavery• 1860’s rise of the labor movement• 1900-1920- professional associations,

women’s suffrage, reform movement• 1960’s 70’s- environmental and political

reform• 70% of those that exist now were formed in

the 70’s or later

Why join?

• Solidary incentive-Pleasure/companionship- PTSA, League of Women Voters

• Material incentive AARP• Purposive incentive- ( ideological inertest

groups) influence gov’t- Greenpeace, NRA etc.

Types of groups

• Economic interest- labor ( AFL-CIO) business trade associations like the Nat’l Manufacturers Assoc and corporations like GE

• Environmental- Some older ( Sierra Club) many began in 70’s- Now over 10,000!! Revenue of 2.9 billion

• Ideological- or single interest- NRA• Foreign policy-Middle East Policy Council• Intergovernmental- gov’t lobbies gov’t• Civil Rights- NAACP• Religious- Moral Majority , Christian Coalition

So who hates special interest groups?

• That would be anti-government conservatives, typically Tea Party types, found in traditionally conservative or red states. BUT………

And when those groups are effective….

Intergovernmental works?

• Membership–3 groups• Formal leaders- full time employees• People actively involved-

meetings/legwork•Members in name only- rank and fileUnions a good example

• If it is so bad then why is it not outlawed?– Well, it isn’t bad for those that it helps– Politicians don’t want it to stop– And MOST importantly it is protected by the Bill of

Rights ( 1st amendment free speech, right to assemble , right to petition government)

Laws to keep it clean

• Lobbying Disclosure Act (1995)- tightened registration and disclosure requirements for lobbyists, had to report names of clients, income, issues etc.

• Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007)- former Senators can’t lobby for two years instead of one, gifts restricted, increased penalties for breaking laws etc

• And of course, campaign finance laws that restrict contributions

Conclusion- What does it get us?• "I have never seen more senators express discontent with

their jobs. I think the major cause is that, deep down in our hearts, we have been accomplices to doing something terrible and unforgivable to this wonderful country. Deep down in our hearts, we know that we have bankrupted America and that we have given our children a legacy of bankruptcy. ... We have defrauded our country to get ourselves elected." -- Senator John Danforth