1. Interest Groups and the Bureaucracy
IB TOK 1/Gov
Ms. Halle Bauer

2. What are interest groups?
Interest Group: An organization of people with a common goal or interest that lobbies to influence policy decisions
Institutional Interests: Organizations that represent other organizations and institutions
General Motors, Chamber of Commerce
Membership Interests: Organizations of individual members with common political goals
NAACP, NRA
When entire public benefits (not just members): public- interest lobby
For instance, Common Cause lobbied to give the vote to 18-year- olds

6. Why interest groups?
There is a diversity of interests and opinions in America
American government is set up to give groups the opportunity to influence policy
Interest groups are protected as a form of political speech
Our laws permit private organizations and nonprofit organizations to have tax-exempt status OR lobby for their interests
National Organization for Women
Our political parties leave something to be desired…

7. What do interest groups do?
Provide Credible Information
How?
Supply updated information on policy issues to lawmakers
Give political cues to officials by describing how policy changes will affect the public and how the issue fits in with the political party platform and agenda
Make ratings to influence public opinion of lawmakers
Public opinion polls
Encouraging constituents to write to their Congressmen
Writing editorials supporting the interest group’s position
Attempting to sway public opinion with grassroots lobbying on ballot initiatives
So what is “credible” information?

8. What do interest groups do?
Persuade Legislators
How?
Try to influence policy on particular issues by encouraging lawmakers to vote one way or the other on the issue at hand
What kind of knowledge is most persuasive?
PACs: Political Action Committees aligned with interest groups can spend money to influence legislatures
Super PACs have fewer restrictions on donations, given that the PAC is an “independent-only” organization
Protests: Sit-ins, marches, picketing

9. How are interest groups funded?
Grants
Solicitation
Foundation grants
Federal grants and contracts
Federal grants support projects that the group sponsors, not the lobbying itself
Mailings to supporters
Appeal to emotions

10. Who do interest groups represent?
Over 50% interest groups represent corporate interests
1/3 of interest groups are professional organizations
4% of interest groups are public-interest groups
2% of interest groups represent civil or minority rights

11. Some examples… The U.S. Chamber of Commerce General Electric
Insttitional Interests
Member Interests
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce
General Electric
University of California
Koch Industries
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
American Medical Association
Susan B. Anthony List
American Association of Retired People
National Rifle Association
The College Board
National Education Association

12. A large, complex organization of appointed officials
The Bureaucracy
A large, complex organization of appointed officials

13. What is the bureaucracy?
A large, complex organization of appointed officials who oversee and enforce the laws
Congress and the President both have authority over the American bureaucracy
Federal agencies work with state and local agencies to ensure laws are carried out properly
Government by proxy: Lawmakers use the bureaucracy to staff and administer federal programs and do the work of the laws

15. What does today’s bureaucracy look like?
History
Recruitment
The Great Depression paved the way for greater government involvement in economic and social problems
WWII required more bureaucracy to oversee the war effort
9/11 created a new department (Homeland Security)
Merit: Competitive Service Exam
Civil servants who align with President’s views
Cabinet, judges, ambassadors
Confidential positions (aides)
Noncareer executive assignments (policy)

16. What does today’s bureaucracy look like?
Demographics (2004)
Constraints
56% Male
44% Female
69% White
31% Racial Minorities
Agencies have discretionary authority, but…
Laws restrict ability to hire, fire, build, sell
Congress typically assigns several agencies to one job
As a result…
Government is slow to act
Agencies are inconsistent
“Red tape”

17. Then: The Iron Triangle
Now: An Issue Network

18. How does Congress oversee the bureaucracy?
Congress approves every agency
All money spent by agencies is first approved by Congress (power of the purse)
Authorization legislation sets spending limits on programs
Approved funds must be appropriated for a specific purpose
House Appropriations Committee approves each agency’s budget
Except when trust funds are used for public benefits (SS)

19. How does Congress oversee the bureaucracy?
Legislative veto: Congress would block agency actions by voting them down before they took effect
These resolutions did not require the President’s signature
Ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL in 1983
Congressional investigations: Congress can investigate an agency’s decisions and outcomes

20. Is our bureaucracy a “fourth branch” of government?
Is red tape always negative?
What knowledge issues are important in the federal bureaucracy?

21. Model Congress Bill: Parts 2 and 3
A Guide

22. MC Bill Part 2: Bureaucracy
Part 2 Instructions
Part 2 Example: Stem Cell Research
Cabinet department
Head of department
Responsibilities of department that correspond with the bill
Judicial powers to enforce the bill
National Institutes of Health (Part of Department of Health and Human Services)
Frances Collins, Director
Conduct and fund medical research with federal dollars
Allocate funds (approved by Congress) for new stem cell research projects, oversee research reports; No fines involved

23. MC Part 3: Interest Groups
Part 3 Instructions
Part 3 Example: Stem Cell Research
Interest group in support of bill
History, purpose, advantages to bill
Interest group in opposition to bill
History, purpose, disadvantages to bill
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Citizens Against Government Waste