Interest Groups

InterestInterestGroupsGroups

Chapter 11Chapter 11

Edwards, Wattenberg, and LineberryEdwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry

Government in America: People, Politics, and PolicyGovernment in America: People, Politics, and Policy

Fourteenth EditionFourteenth Edition

Roots of Interest GroupsRoots of Interest Groups

First national groups emerge in 1830s.First national groups emerge in 1830s.

Business interests play larger role after Civil War.Business interests play larger role after Civil War.

Groups begin to send Groups begin to send lobbyistslobbyists to Washington to Washington

Progressive era leads to an explosion of groups.Progressive era leads to an explosion of groups.

Growth of labor and Growth of labor and trade associationstrade associations..

The Interest Group StateThe Interest Group State

Expansion of civil rights and groups in 1960s.Expansion of civil rights and groups in 1960s.

Development of conservative and religious groups.Development of conservative and religious groups.

Evolution of new business groups dedicated to lobbying.Evolution of new business groups dedicated to lobbying.

Declining power of organized labor.Declining power of organized labor.

INTEREST GROUPS SEEK TOINTEREST GROUPS SEEK TO

INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY.INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY.

THE U.S. HAS MANYTHE U.S. HAS MANY

INTEREST GROUPS BECAUSE…INTEREST GROUPS BECAUSE…

1-GREAT NUMBER OF SOCIAL CLEAVAGES1-GREAT NUMBER OF SOCIAL CLEAVAGES

2-FEDERALISM ( 3 layers of gov’t)2-FEDERALISM ( 3 layers of gov’t)

3-SEPERATION OF POWERS (3 branches)3-SEPERATION OF POWERS (3 branches)

4-THE DECLINE OF POLITICAL PARTIES4-THE DECLINE OF POLITICAL PARTIES

THERE ARE MORE INTEREST GROUPSTHERE ARE MORE INTEREST GROUPS

AND THEY ARE DONATING MORE MONEYAND THEY ARE DONATING MORE MONEY

The Role of Interest GroupsThe Role of Interest GroupsInterest groupInterest group

An organization of people with shared policy goals An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goalsachieve those goals

Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas.Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas.

Interest groups are distinct from parties.Interest groups are distinct from parties.

Political parties fight election battles;Political parties fight election battles;

Interest groups do not field candidates for office but may Interest groups do not field candidates for office but may choose sides.choose sides.

Interest groups are policy specialists; political parties are Interest groups are policy specialists; political parties are policy generalists.policy generalists.

INTEREST GROUPS ARE REGULATED BY THE GOV’TINTEREST GROUPS ARE REGULATED BY THE GOV’T

MUST REGISTER WITH CONGRESSMUST REGISTER WITH CONGRESS

MUST FILE FINANCIAL REPORTSMUST FILE FINANCIAL REPORTS

CAN LOSE TAX-EXEMPT STATUSCAN LOSE TAX-EXEMPT STATUS

IF THEY LOBBY “TOO MUCH”IF THEY LOBBY “TOO MUCH”

OR BREAK RULESOR BREAK RULES

Theories of Interest Group Theories of Interest Group Politics: Politics: HyperpluralismHyperpluralism

Subgovernments Subgovernments Networks of groups that exercise a great deal of control Networks of groups that exercise a great deal of control

over specific policy areas.over specific policy areas.Consist of interest groups, government agency, and Consist of interest groups, government agency, and

congressional committees that handle particular congressional committees that handle particular policiespolicies

Also known as Also known as iron trianglesiron triangles

The hyperpluralist critiqueThe hyperpluralist critiqueGroups have become too powerful as the government Groups have become too powerful as the government

tries to appease every interest.tries to appease every interest.Many subgovernments (iron triangles) aggravate the Many subgovernments (iron triangles) aggravate the

process.process.Trying to please every group results in contradictory Trying to please every group results in contradictory

policies.policies.

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

Potential groupPotential group: all the people who : all the people who might be interest group members might be interest group members because they share a common because they share a common interestinterest

Actual groupActual group: the part of the potential : the part of the potential group consisting of members who group consisting of members who actually joinactually join

Collective goodCollective good: something of value : something of value that cannot be withheld from a group that cannot be withheld from a group membermember

IntensityIntensitySingle-Issue groupsSingle-Issue groups: groups that focus on : groups that focus on

a narrow interest, dislike compromise, a narrow interest, dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people and often draw membership from people new to politics.new to politics.

Groups may focus on an emotional issue, Groups may focus on an emotional issue, providing them with a psychological providing them with a psychological advantage.advantage.

Intensity encourages non-conventional Intensity encourages non-conventional means of participation, i.e.—protestsmeans of participation, i.e.—protests

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

Financial ResourcesFinancial ResourcesNot all groups have equal amounts of Not all groups have equal amounts of

money.money.

Monetary donations usually translate into Monetary donations usually translate into access to the politicians, such as a access to the politicians, such as a phone call, meeting, or support for phone call, meeting, or support for policy.policy.

Wealthier groups have more resources—Wealthier groups have more resources—and presumably more access—but they and presumably more access—but they do not always win on policy.do not always win on policy.

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AMERICANS JOIN GROUPS A LOT AMERICANS JOIN GROUPS A LOT OUT OF A SENSE OF CIVIC DUTY OUT OF A SENSE OF CIVIC DUTY & POLITICAL EFFICACY.& POLITICAL EFFICACY.

JOINERS TEND TO BE HIGH-JOINERS TEND TO BE HIGH-STATUS, WEALTHY, HAVE FREE STATUS, WEALTHY, HAVE FREE TIME, & CONNECTIONSTIME, & CONNECTIONS..

Free-RiderFree-Rider Problem ProblemSome people don’t join interest groups because Some people don’t join interest groups because

they benefit from the group’s activities without they benefit from the group’s activities without officially joining.officially joining.

The bigger the group, larger the problemThe bigger the group, larger the problemLarge groups are difficult to organizeLarge groups are difficult to organize

Olson’s law of large groupsOlson’s law of large groups::““The larger the group, the further it will fall short The larger the group, the further it will fall short

of providing an optimal amount of a collective of providing an optimal amount of a collective good.”good.”

Attempt to overcome Olson’s law by providing Attempt to overcome Olson’s law by providing selective benefits: Goods that a group can selective benefits: Goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their annual duesrestrict to those who pay their annual dues

Small groupsSmall groups are are better organizedbetter organized and and more focusedmore focused on the group’s goals.on the group’s goals.

Multinational corporationsMultinational corporations are successful because are successful because there are few of them and, therefore, have an there are few of them and, therefore, have an easier time organizing for political action.easier time organizing for political action.

Consumer groupsConsumer groups have a difficult time getting have a difficult time getting significant policy gains because the benefits are significant policy gains because the benefits are spread over the entire population.spread over the entire population.

Public interestPublic interest lobbies seek “a collective good, the lobbies seek “a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership activities of the materially benefit the membership activities of the organization.”organization.”

HOW DO INTEREST GROUPS ATTEMPT TO HOW DO INTEREST GROUPS ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE?INFLUENCE?

PROVIDE CREDIBLE INFORMATIONPROVIDE CREDIBLE INFORMATION

ORGANIZE PUBLIC SUPPORT / PROTESTORGANIZE PUBLIC SUPPORT / PROTEST

DONATE MONEY / JOBS (REVOLVING DONATE MONEY / JOBS (REVOLVING DOOR)DOOR)

The Interest Group ExplosionThe Interest Group Explosion

How Groups Try to Shape PolicyHow Groups Try to Shape PolicyLobbyingLobbyingElectioneeringElectioneering

LitigationLitigationGoing PublicGoing Public

LobbyingLobbying

Target Congress through research, money, or testimony.Target Congress through research, money, or testimony.

Also target bureaucratic agencies and the president.Also target bureaucratic agencies and the president.

Lobby courts through sponsorship or Lobby courts through sponsorship or amicusamicus briefs. briefs.

Can use grassroots techniques, such as petitions. Can use grassroots techniques, such as petitions.

May also resort to protests and activism.May also resort to protests and activism.

How Groups Try to Shape PolicyHow Groups Try to Shape PolicyLobbyingLobbying

““communication by someone other communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his own than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental behalf, directed to a governmental decisionmaker with the hope of decisionmaker with the hope of influencing his decision”influencing his decision”

Two basic types of lobbyists:Two basic types of lobbyists:1-Regular, paid employees of a group1-Regular, paid employees of a group2-Temporary hires2-Temporary hires

Lobbyists: Lobbyists:

*are a source of information*are a source of information

*help politicians plan political *help politicians plan political strategies for… legislationstrategies for… legislation

campaignscampaigns

*are a source of ideas and innovations*are a source of ideas and innovations

Mixed evidence as toMixed evidence as to

whether lobbying workswhether lobbying works

ElectioneeringElectioneering

Direct group involvement in the election Direct group involvement in the election processprocess

Groups can help fund campaigns, provide Groups can help fund campaigns, provide testimony, and get members to work for testimony, and get members to work for candidates; some form PACs.candidates; some form PACs.

Political Action CommitteePolitical Action Committee (PAC): (PAC): PACsPACs are are used by interest groups to donate money used by interest groups to donate money to candidates. to candidates.

PACs help pay the bill for increasing PACs help pay the bill for increasing campaign costs.campaign costs.

Most PAC money goes to incumbents.Most PAC money goes to incumbents.

Election ActivitiesElection Activities

Recruiting and endorsing candidates.Recruiting and endorsing candidates.

Organizing get out the vote efforts.Organizing get out the vote efforts.

Rating candidates and office holders.Rating candidates and office holders.

Establishing political action committees.Establishing political action committees.

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LitigationLitigationIf an interest group fails in one arena, If an interest group fails in one arena,

the courts may be able to provide a the courts may be able to provide a remedy.remedy.

Interest groups can file Interest groups can file amicus curiaeamicus curiae briefs to influence a court’s decision.briefs to influence a court’s decision.

Class ActionClass Action lawsuits permit a small lawsuits permit a small number of people to sue on behalf of number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similar situated.all other people similar situated.

Going PublicGoing PublicBecause public opinion matters,Because public opinion matters,

groups try to:groups try to:

-cultivate a good public image to build a -cultivate a good public image to build a reservoir of goodwill with the publicreservoir of goodwill with the public

-use marketing strategies to influence -use marketing strategies to influence public opinion of the group and its issuespublic opinion of the group and its issues

-advertise to motivate and inform the public -advertise to motivate and inform the public about an issueabout an issue

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Types of Interest GroupsTypes of Interest Groups

Economic InterestsEconomic Interests LaborLabor AgricultureAgriculture BusinessBusiness

Environmental InterestsEnvironmental Interests Equality InterestsEquality Interests Consumer and Public Interest LobbiesConsumer and Public Interest Lobbies

Types of Organized InterestsTypes of Organized Interests

Public interest groupsPublic interest groups (i.e. NARAL, NRA). (i.e. NARAL, NRA).

Economic interest groupsEconomic interest groups (i.e. AFL-CIO, NAM). (i.e. AFL-CIO, NAM).

Governmental units, who lobby for Governmental units, who lobby for earmarksearmarks..

Political action committeesPolitical action committees (i.e. EMILY’s List). (i.e. EMILY’s List).

Multi-issue versus single-issue groups.Multi-issue versus single-issue groups.

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALBUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL INTEREST GROUPS ARE MORE INTEREST GROUPS ARE MORE INFLUENTIAL & BETTER INFLUENTIAL & BETTER FINANCED THAN OTHERS.FINANCED THAN OTHERS.

INTEREST GROUPS DON’T ALWAYS INTEREST GROUPS DON’T ALWAYS REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THEIR MEMBERS.THEIR MEMBERS.

Understanding Interest GroupsUnderstanding Interest GroupsInterest Groups & the Scope of Govern’tInterest Groups & the Scope of Govern’t

Interest groups seek to maintain policies Interest groups seek to maintain policies and programs that benefit them.and programs that benefit them.

Interest groups continue to pressure Interest groups continue to pressure government to do more things.government to do more things.

As the government does more, does this As the government does more, does this cause the formation of more groups?cause the formation of more groups?

WHAT INFLUENCES THE POSITIONS OF I.G.?WHAT INFLUENCES THE POSITIONS OF I.G.?

GENERAL PHILOSOPHY & SPECIFIC GOALSGENERAL PHILOSOPHY & SPECIFIC GOALS

HOMOGENITY OF THE GROUPHOMOGENITY OF THE GROUP

PEOPLE’S MOTIVES FOR JOININGPEOPLE’S MOTIVES FOR JOINING

THE SIZE OF STAFFTHE SIZE OF STAFF

STAFF (ELITES) OFTEN SHAPE POLICYSTAFF (ELITES) OFTEN SHAPE POLICY

LEVEL OF MEMBERS ACTIVITY/ MILITANCELEVEL OF MEMBERS ACTIVITY/ MILITANCE

Theories of Interest Group Politics: Theories of Interest Group Politics: ElitismElitism

Theories of Interest Group PoliticsTheories of Interest Group Politics Pluralist TheoryPluralist Theory

Politics is mainly a competition among Politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.preferred policies.

Elite TheoryElite TheorySocieties are divided along class lines and Societies are divided along class lines and

an upper-class elite rules, regardless of an upper-class elite rules, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental the formal niceties of governmental organization.organization.

Hyperpluralist TheoryHyperpluralist TheoryGroups are so strong that government is Groups are so strong that government is

weakened. This is an extreme, weakened. This is an extreme, exaggerated form of pluralism.exaggerated form of pluralism.

Understanding Interest GroupsUnderstanding Interest GroupsInterest Groups and DemocracyInterest Groups and Democracy

James Madison’s solution to the problems James Madison’s solution to the problems posed by interest groups (factions) was to posed by interest groups (factions) was to create a wide-open system in which create a wide-open system in which groups compete.groups compete.

PluralistsPluralists believe that the public interest believe that the public interest would prevail from this competition.would prevail from this competition.

Elite theoristsElite theorists point to the proliferation of point to the proliferation of business PACs as evidence of interest business PACs as evidence of interest group corruption.group corruption.

HyperpluralistsHyperpluralists maintain that group maintain that group influence has led to policy gridlock.influence has led to policy gridlock.

SummarySummaryGroup theories: pluralism, elitism, Group theories: pluralism, elitism,

and hyperpluralismand hyperpluralism

A number of factors influence a A number of factors influence a group’s success, i.e., being smallgroup’s success, i.e., being small

Interest groups affect policy process Interest groups affect policy process through lobbying, electioneering, through lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and going public.litigation, and going public.

Theories of Interest Group PoliticsTheories of Interest Group PoliticsPluralism and Group Theory Pluralism and Group Theory

Groups provide a key link between the Groups provide a key link between the people & government.people & government.

Groups compete and no one group will Groups compete and no one group will become too dominant.become too dominant.

Groups play by the “rules of the game.”Groups play by the “rules of the game.”

Groups weak in one resource may use Groups weak in one resource may use another.another.

Lobbying is open to all so is not a Lobbying is open to all so is not a problem.problem.

Elites TheoryElites Theory (The Denial of Pluralism) (The Denial of Pluralism)

Real power is held by the relatively Real power is held by the relatively few.few.

The largest corporations hold the most The largest corporations hold the most power.power.

Other groups may win many minor Other groups may win many minor policy battles, but elites prevail when policy battles, but elites prevail when it comes to big policy decisions.it comes to big policy decisions.

Lobbying is a problem because it Lobbying is a problem because it benefits the few at the expense of the benefits the few at the expense of the many.many.

AP CHAPTER 11 - INTEREST GROUPSAP CHAPTER 11 - INTEREST GROUPS

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES1-EXPLAIN WHY THE 1-EXPLAIN WHY THE

CHARACTERISTICS OF AMERICAN CHARACTERISTICS OF AMERICAN SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGE A MULTIPLICITY OF ENCOURAGE A MULTIPLICITY OF INTEREST GROUPS.INTEREST GROUPS.

2-INDICATE THE HISTORICAL 2-INDICATE THE HISTORICAL CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH INTEREST GROUPS ARE LIKELY TO INTEREST GROUPS ARE LIKELY TO FORM.FORM.


OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES3-DO THE SENTIMENTS OF INTEREST GROUP 3-DO THE SENTIMENTS OF INTEREST GROUP

MEMBERS DETERMINE THE ACTIONS OF MEMBERS DETERMINE THE ACTIONS OF INTEREST GROUP LEADERS?INTEREST GROUP LEADERS?

4-DESCRIBE THE METHODS THAT INTEREST 4-DESCRIBE THE METHODS THAT INTEREST GROUPS USE TO CARRY OUT THEIR GROUPS USE TO CARRY OUT THEIR OBJECTIVES. MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE OBJECTIVES. MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE LOBBYING TECHNIQUES AND THE USE OF LOBBYING TECHNIQUES AND THE USE OF COURTS.COURTS.

5-LIST THE LAWS REGULATING CONFLICT OF 5-LIST THE LAWS REGULATING CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND DESCRIBE THE PROBLEMS INTEREST AND DESCRIBE THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED WITH REVOLVING DOOR INVOLVED WITH REVOLVING DOOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT.GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT.


IMPORTANT TERMSIMPORTANT TERMSCLIENT POLITICSCLIENT POLITICS

CUE (POLITICAL)CUE (POLITICAL)

““DIRTY DOZEN”DIRTY DOZEN”

FEDERAL REGULATION OF LOBBYING FEDERAL REGULATION OF LOBBYING ACT OF 1946ACT OF 1946

GRASSROOTS SUPPORTGRASSROOTS SUPPORT

IDEOLOGICAL INTEREST GROUPSIDEOLOGICAL INTEREST GROUPS

INCENTIVE (POILITICAL)INCENTIVE (POILITICAL)

INSTITUTIONAL INTERESTSINSTITUTIONAL INTERESTS

INTEREST GROUPINTEREST GROUP

LOBBISTLOBBIST

MATERIAL BENEFIT MATERIAL BENEFIT INCENTIVESINCENTIVES

MEMBERSHIP INTERESTSMEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

P.A.C.SP.A.C.S

P.I.R.G.SP.I.R.G.S

AP CHAPTER 11 - INTEREST GROUPSAP CHAPTER 11 - INTEREST GROUPSIMPORTANT TERMSIMPORTANT TERMS

PUBLIC-INTEREST GROUPPUBLIC-INTEREST GROUP

PURPOSIVE INCENTIVEPURPOSIVE INCENTIVE

RATINGRATING

REVOLVING-DOOR INFLUENCEREVOLVING-DOOR INFLUENCE

SOCIAL MOVEMENTSOCIAL MOVEMENT

SOLIDARY INCENTIVESOLIDARY INCENTIVE

AP CHAPTER 11 - INTEREST GROUPSAP CHAPTER 11 - INTEREST GROUPSIMPORTANT TERMSIMPORTANT TERMS


QUESTIONSQUESTIONS1-WHY HAVE INTEREST GROUPS GROWN 1-WHY HAVE INTEREST GROUPS GROWN

STRONGER AS POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE STRONGER AS POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE GROWN WEAKER?GROWN WEAKER?

2-WHICH HAVE BEEN MORE IMPORTANT IN 2-WHICH HAVE BEEN MORE IMPORTANT IN THE FORMATION OF INTEREST GROUPS: THE FORMATION OF INTEREST GROUPS: CHANGES IN THE ECONOMIC STRUCTURE CHANGES IN THE ECONOMIC STRUCTURE OF THE UNITED STATES OR CHANGES IN OF THE UNITED STATES OR CHANGES IN PEOPLE’S IDEAS AND BELIEFS?PEOPLE’S IDEAS AND BELIEFS?

3-THEODORE LOWI PRESENTED THE THEORY 3-THEODORE LOWI PRESENTED THE THEORY THAT PUBLIC POLICY IS FORMULATED BY THAT PUBLIC POLICY IS FORMULATED BY BUREAUCRATS IN CONJUCTION WITH BUREAUCRATS IN CONJUCTION WITH INTEREST GROUPS. DO YOU AGREE?INTEREST GROUPS. DO YOU AGREE?


QUESTIONSQUESTIONS4-WHICH INCENTIVE -MATERIAL, PURPOSIVE, 4-WHICH INCENTIVE -MATERIAL, PURPOSIVE,

SOLIDARY - IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IN SOLIDARY - IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IN JOINING AN INTEREST GROUP?JOINING AN INTEREST GROUP?

5-PACs HAVE BEEN CALLED COLLECTION 5-PACs HAVE BEEN CALLED COLLECTION AGENCIES FOR INTEREST GROUPS. THEY AGENCIES FOR INTEREST GROUPS. THEY WERE CREATED TO EVADE LAWS THAT WERE CREATED TO EVADE LAWS THAT FORBID CORPORATIONS AND LABOR FORBID CORPORATIONS AND LABOR UNIONS FROM GIVING MONEY “DIRECTLY” UNIONS FROM GIVING MONEY “DIRECTLY” TO FEDERAL CANDIDATES. WHY DOES TO FEDERAL CANDIDATES. WHY DOES CONGRESS PERMIT THE LAW TO BE CONGRESS PERMIT THE LAW TO BE TRAMPLED BY ALLOWING PACs? DO PACs TRAMPLED BY ALLOWING PACs? DO PACs THREATEN THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER?THREATEN THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER?

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Interest Groups