1 Reference: All photos are copied from Google Images

Do Now Which of the following is true of political action committees (PACs)? (A) They are a part of political party organizations. (B) They make campaign contributions to gain access to legislators. (C) They are allowed to contribute to only one candidate in a given contest. (D) They effectively control the presidential campaigns. (E) They may operate at the state level but not at the national level. 2

Do Now Which of the following describes a fundamental difference between political parties and interest groups? (A) Political parties are prohibited from sponsoring campaign advertisements, and interest groups are not. (B) Political parties represent broad arrays of issues, whereas interest groups are more likely to focus on narrow sets of issues. (C) Political parties are more likely to focus on national politics, whereas interest groups focus on local politics. (D) Political parties tend to have strength in particular regions, whereas the power of interest groups is more consistent across states. (E) Political parties are required to disclose their campaign finance activities, whereas interest groups are not. 3

Focus Questions 4 Who Governs? 1. Do interest groups dominate government, and is any particular lobby politically unbeatable. 2.Why do people join interest groups? To What Ends? 1. Is the proliferation of Political Action Committees (PACs) and other groups good or bad for American’s representative democracy? 2.Should interest groups’ political activities be restricted by law?

Learning Objectives 1. Explain why the characteristics of American society and government encourage a multiplicity of interest groups. 2. Indicate the historical conditions under which interest groups are likely to form and specify the kinds of organizations Americans are most likely to join. 3. Describe relations between leaders and rank-and-file members of groups, including why the sentiments of members may not determine the actions of leaders. 4. Describe several methods that interest groups use to formulate and carry out their political objectives, especially the lobbying techniques used to gain public support. Explain why courts have become an important forum for public interest groups. 5. List the laws regulating conflict of interest and describe the problems involved with revolving door government employment. Describe the balance between the First Amendment's freedom of expression and the need to prevent corruption in the political system. 5

Explaining Proliferation Why are interest groups common in America?  Many kinds of cleavages in the country or variety of interests. (many races, cultures; 72-different religions; vast lands and regions across the country)  Constitution makes for many access points to government (political power shared between 3-branches)  Political parties are weak so interests work directly on government Remember: Madison in Federalist # 10 stated that many factions or interests would guard against tyranny or any one group getting too much power. Example: Great Britain – most political power is given to the Prime Minister. 6

Two Main Non-profit Organizations 1. Section 501 (C)(3) Organizations: receive tax deductions for their charitable giving and may seek to influence government through educational activities, but are forbidden from lobbying government officials or contributing to political campaigns. (Example: Charitable, religious, or educational organizations -- Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities, or other Churches, etc.) Donations are tax free. 2. Section 501 (C)(4) Organizations: permitted to lobby and campaign, but donations to them are not tax deductible. (Example: Civic leagues and social welfare organizations – National Organization of Women, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). 7

The Birth of Interest Groups Periods of rapid growth s-independence groups --- push toward gaining independence from Great Britain s, 1840s-religious, antislavery groups arose to stop slavery s-trade unions based on crafts, granges for the farmers, fraternal organizations s, 1890s-business associations business and professional associations, charitable organizations (Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, The American Farm Bureau, American Medical Association, Urban League, National Association of Manufactures) s environmental, consumer, political-reform organizations. (Example : groups sponsored by Consumer Activist Ralph Nader) 7. Since 1960, 70 percent established their D.C. offices currently, approximately 7,000 Interest Groups that have offices in D.C. 8

Factors Explaining Rise of Interest Groups 1. Broad economic developments create new interest a. Farmers produce cash crops b. Mass-production industries begin 2. Government policy itself a. Wars create veterans, who demand benefits b. Encouraged formation of American Farm Bureau Federation, professional associations 3. Emergence of strong leaders, usually at certain times (Anti- Slavery Movement, Religious Revival, Gospel vs. Darwinism, Women’s Suffrage, Civil Rights) 4. Expanding role of government – more activities government undertakes then more groups emerged, especially after 1960s in regard to environment, social causes, and civil rights. 9

Interest Group An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy. 2-Types of Interest Groups Institutional Interest Groups: individuals or organizations that represent other organizations, for example General Motors has a Washington representative. Over 500 of these firms since 1970 have opened. Usually made up of a small staff of lawyers and public relations staff. Membership Interests Groups: groups that have national membership or individual members. For example NAACP, National Rifle Association, Sierra Club) 10 Americans are known as a nation of joiners

Do Now Which of the following groups is most likely to vote for the Democratic candidates for president? (A) African Americans (B) households in which no one is a member of a labor union (C) males (D) people over age 55 (E) females 11

Incentives To Join An Interest Group 1. Solidary Incentives: the sense of pleasure, status, or companionship that arises out of meeting together in small groups. ( Example: American Legion, PTA, NAACP, or Rotary Club). 2. Material Incentives: that is money, or things and services readily valued in monetary terms. (Example: AARP offers seniors tax advice, life and health insurance plans at a discount, etc.). 3. Purposive Incentives: the benefit that comes from serving a purpose or cause. (Example: Children’s Defense Fund, Ethics and Public Policy Center – See charts on pages ) 12

Interest Groups and Social Movements Social Movement: a wide shared demand for change in some aspect for change in some aspect of social or political order. 1. The Environmental Movement 2. The Women’s Movement 3. The Civil Rights Movement 4. The Union Movement 13

Funds for Interests Groups 1. Foundation Grants: For example in a 10-year period of time the Ford Foundation contributed about 21-million Dollars to liberal public interest groups. 2. Federal Grants and Contracts: Greatly expanded after the 1960s. Both businesses and non-profit groups receive grants, but businesses receive far more contracts than non-profit groups. For example between , spending on federal contracts doubled to $400-billion and the top 20 federal contract winners spent $300 million on lobbying and $23 million on political campaigns. The biggest federal contractor, Lockheed Martin received more federal money than the US Department of Justice or the Department of Energy. 3. Direct mail: used to raise money and mobilize supporters. 14

The Problem of Bias Reasons for belief in upper-class bias 1. More affluent more likely to join 2. Business/professional groups more numerous; better financed Why these facts do not decide the issue 1. Describe inputs but not who eventually wins or loses 2. Business groups often divided among themselves Important to ask what the bias is 1. Many conflicts are within upper-middle class, political elites 2. Resource differentials are clues, not conclusions 15

The Activities of Interest Groups  Supplying credible information – The most important to lobbyists.  Public Support: insider vs. outsider. Modern technology has moved toward outsider strategy –example radio, fax, internet, telephone, television.  Money and PACs: most likely the less effective way – due to so many interest groups with a lot of money on both sides of the issue.  The Revolving Door: federal workers leaving to work for private industry or lobbyist groups. (Example: Personal contacts in Washington to get favors for private parties)  Trouble: Public displays and disruptive tactics, protest marches, sit-ins, picketing, and violence have always been a part of American politics. 16

Regulating Interest Groups 1. Protected by the First Amendment – it cannot lawfully be abolished. It does have significant restraints, as follows: a. Federal Regulations of Lobbying Act (1946): requires groups and individuals seeking to influence legislations to register with the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the house and file quarterly financial reports. b – Congress broaden the definition of a lobbyist. c. Lobbyists are required to report the following: The names of their clients, Their income and expenditures, The issues on which they worked d. Other regulations: 1. No gifts of value from registered lobbyists or firms that employ lobbyists. 2. No reimbursement for travel expenses from lobbyists or firms that employ lobbyists. 3. No reimbursement for travel cost 17