Chapter 7: Interest Groups American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics, 10/e By Neal Tannahill

Case Study: National Rifle Association NRA – successful interest group – Supports legislation favoring gun ownership – Supports candidates that favor their issues Presidential candidates Gore (2000) and Kerry (2004) supported gun control NRA backed Bush, who won both elections Some blame gun issue for Gore losses in West Virginia and Tennessee, and Kerry loss in Ohio, which cost him the election Many Democrats now avoid gun control issue

Case Study: NRA (cont.) Key Points – NRA succeeds despite public divided on issues 2008 poll – 49% believe gun control regulations should be “more strict,” 11% “less strict,” and 38% favored no change – NRA success shows that motivated, well-organized interest groups can outperform larger groups that are less motivated or organized.

Why People Join Interest Groups Three major reasons – Material – NRA offers training, insurance, etc. – Solidary – social benefits, networking – Purposive (expressive) – satisfaction from supporting a cause

Types of Interest Groups Business Groups – Individual companies, or industries working collectively through trade associations – Issues can include tax policy, interest rates, environmental regulation, trade, labor, lawsuit reform, etc. – NFIB – national level umbrella group – 2004 Election – business groups gave $206 million to candidates, compared to $61 given by labor groups

Types of Interest Groups Labor Unions – Important political force, but declining 1970 – Over 25% of civilian labor force unionized 2006 – 12% of civilian labor force unionized – Manufacturing industries employ fewer workers – Unions now target low-wage service workers – AFL-CIO largest union group, but facing competition from SEIU – Unions strongest in frostbelt, weakest in sunbelt

Types of Interest Groups Professional Associations – Like business organizations, but with individual professionals as members, not companies – Doctors, lawyers, etc. American Medical Association American Bar Association

Types of Interest Groups Agriculture Groups – Variety of farming and ranching concerns Broad-membership groups – American Farm Bureau – National Farmers Union Groups representing specific crop or commodity – National Milk Producers Federation – Favorable public image – Often favor more government intervention – crop subsidies, price supports, etc.

Types of Interest Groups Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups – Promote interest of specific groups NAACP – interest group representing African Americans LULAC – Latinos AIM (American Indian Movement) – Indigenous Americans – Support civil rights, economic advancement Voting Rights Act – Affirmative Action

Types of Interest Groups Religious Groups – Historic significance Abolition (slavery) Prohibition (alcohol) Civil Rights Anti-Vietnam war – Today’s issues – abortion, government aid to parochial schools, support for Israel – “Religious right” – “Religious left”

Types of Interest Groups Citizen, Advocacy, Cause Groups – Citizen Groups support policies they believe will benefit public at large Common Cause – government reform Sierra Club – environmental causes ACLU – civil liberties – Advocacy Groups seek benefits for groups unable to represent their own interests Children’s Defense Fund Coalition for the Homeless – Cause Groups – specific issues National Right to Life Committee National Abortion Rights Action League National Organization for Women Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Interest Group Tactics Electioneering – Help elect candidates that support group’s interests – Educate members about candidates – Endorsements of candidates – Financial support PACs Independent expenditure campaigns (527s, etc.)

Interest Group Tactics Lobbying – influencing decisions by policy- makers – Groups lobby legislative and executive branches – Over 250,000 lobbyists in Washington – “Insider Approach” focuses on relationships with key policymakers (low-profile, bipartisan) – “Outsider Strategy” more confrontational

Interest Group Tactics Creating Public Pressure – Instead of convincing policymakers, convince their constituents NRA “I am the NRA” magazine ads AFL-CIO ads attacking opponent congressmen NFIB grassroots program organizes membership into key categories for communications with policymakers

Interest Group Tactics Protest Demonstrations – Important tactic in civil rights movement – Can help very small groups get media attention Litigation – ACLU in civil liberties matters – Business groups sue government agencies over regulatory disagreements Political Violence

Strength of Interest Groups Factors in Interest Group Influence – Alliances with political parties – Alliances with members of Congress and executive branch officials – Public Opinion – Unity among groups representing the same cause – Opposition from other groups