Interest GroupsInterest Groups

The Role and The Role and Reputation of Interest Reputation of Interest GroupsGroups Interest groups may pursue any kind Interest groups may pursue any kind

of policy, in all levels and branches of policy, in all levels and branches of government. They differ from of government. They differ from political parties in several ways.political parties in several ways.

They pursue their agenda through They pursue their agenda through the political process, whereas the political process, whereas parties advance their agendas parties advance their agendas through elections.through elections.

Interest groups specialize in one or two Interest groups specialize in one or two policy areas, whereas parties focus on only policy areas, whereas parties focus on only general policies to win a majority.general policies to win a majority.

Many people criticize interest groups for Many people criticize interest groups for encouraging a policymaking system based on encouraging a policymaking system based on money.money.

Interest groups donate heavily to campaigns Interest groups donate heavily to campaigns through PACs to “buy” votes.through PACs to “buy” votes.

The more money an interest group has, the The more money an interest group has, the more it is able to influence policy.more it is able to influence policy.

Proponents of interest groups argue that they Proponents of interest groups argue that they are effective linkage institutionsare effective linkage institutions

They represent the interests of the public in They represent the interests of the public in the policy arena.the policy arena.

Because they are carefully monitored and Because they are carefully monitored and regulated, interest group methods are more regulated, interest group methods are more honest than in the past.honest than in the past.

Theories of Interest Theories of Interest Group PoliticsGroup Politics 1. Pluralist theory: Interest groups are 1. Pluralist theory: Interest groups are

important to democracy because they important to democracy because they allow people to organize themselves to allow people to organize themselves to change policies.change policies.

2. Elite theory: There may be 2. Elite theory: There may be hundreds of interest groups, but only a hundreds of interest groups, but only a select few have any real power.select few have any real power.

3. Hyperpluralist theory: Groups have 3. Hyperpluralist theory: Groups have too much political influence because too much political influence because they usually get what they want.they usually get what they want.

What makes an What makes an Interest Group Interest Group Successful?Successful? 1. The size of the group. It is 1. The size of the group. It is

important to distinguish between a important to distinguish between a potential group, which is all of the potential group, which is all of the people who might be members of people who might be members of the group, and an actual group, the group, and an actual group, which is all the people who actually which is all the people who actually join. Interest groups organize and join. Interest groups organize and work for the collective good of the work for the collective good of the members of the group.members of the group.

Smaller groups are more effective Smaller groups are more effective than large groups.than large groups.

Smaller groups can organize more Smaller groups can organize more easily. easily.

A member of a small group is A member of a small group is more likely to experience the more likely to experience the group’s success and, therefore, is group’s success and, therefore, is more likely to work harder than a more likely to work harder than a member of a large group. member of a large group. – Free-rider problemFree-rider problem– Olson’s law of large groupsOlson’s law of large groups

2. The intensity of the groups 2. The intensity of the groups members’ feelings about the members’ feelings about the issueissue– Single issue groups form around a Single issue groups form around a

specific policy and tend to pursue it specific policy and tend to pursue it uncompromisingly.uncompromisingly.

– Single issue groups often deal with Single issue groups often deal with moral issues that people feel moral issues that people feel strongly about.strongly about.

– Members of single issue groups Members of single issue groups often vote according to a often vote according to a candidate’s stand on the group’s candidate’s stand on the group’s issue.issue.

3. The financial resources at the 3. The financial resources at the group’s disposalgroup’s disposal– Politicians are most likely to serve Politicians are most likely to serve

the needs of people or groups with the needs of people or groups with money.money.

– Money allows groups to mobilize, Money allows groups to mobilize, conduct research, and maintain and conduct research, and maintain and administration.administration.