Interest Groups AP Government Unit 4

“An interest group is an organization made up of people who share common objectives and who actively attempt to influence government policymakers through direct and indirect methods.” “Interest Group is an organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals.”“Interest Group is an organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals.” What is an Interest Group??

What do Interest Groups do? Try to influence public policy Try to influence public policy Lobbyists try and persuade public officials to believe a specific view Lobbyists try and persuade public officials to believe a specific view Every branch and every level of government is affected by interest groups Every branch and every level of government is affected by interest groups

The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups National Groups Emerge ( ) National Groups Emerge ( ) Progressive Era ( ) Progressive Era ( ) Organized Labor – the American Federation of Labor (AFL) (1886) Organized Labor – the American Federation of Labor (AFL) (1886) Business and Trade Associations – The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) (1895) Business and Trade Associations – The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) (1895) The Rise of the Interest Group State (1960s and 1970s) The Rise of the Interest Group State (1960s and 1970s) Religious and Ideological Groups Religious and Ideological Groups Business Groups, Trade and Professional Associations Business Groups, Trade and Professional Associations Organized Labor Organized Labor

The Development of American Interest Groups Interest groups have been part of the American political landscape since the country’s founding. Interest groups have been part of the American political landscape since the country’s founding. James Madison in Federalist #10 argued for a proliferation of groups so that no one group could get hegemony over the other groups. James Madison in Federalist #10 argued for a proliferation of groups so that no one group could get hegemony over the other groups. The open nature of the American government invites organized political participation. The open nature of the American government invites organized political participation.

Interest Groups should: Promote interest in public affairs Provide useful information Serve as watchdogs Represent the interest of Citizens

Why People Join Interest Groups 1.Solidary Incentives For the social contacts League of Women Voters, NAACP, PTSA, American Legion 2.Material Incentives For economic reasons AARP, Farmers Groups, Labor Unions 3.Purposive Incentives For moral causes / crusades Right to-Life, Pro-Choice, Greenpeace

Who Joins Interest Groups? Upper class interest groups- Big Business Upper class interest groups- Big Business More affluent join and are active More affluent join and are active White collar workers White collar workers Professional groups Professional groups Working class interest groups- Big Labor Working class interest groups- Big Labor Labor unions have been very powerful in past Labor unions have been very powerful in past The AFL-CIO broke up in 2004, cutting big labor’s power The AFL-CIO broke up in 2004, cutting big labor’s power

Political Parties vs. Interest Groups Political Parties Nominate candidates What to win elections Concerned with many issues Interest Groups Don’t nominate Want to influence policies Concerned with one issue

Economic Interest Groups Most interest groups are based on economics Businesses (create favorable environment for business to prosper) Agriculture (work for price supports from gov’t, but also limit gov’t influence) Labor (Call public attention to the legitimate needs of working people. Accomplishments …eight-hour work day …child labor laws …minimum wage laws...workplace health & safety laws) Professional (protect and advance their professional field -- to do this, they...publish journals…give awards for excellence...communicate their opinions to gov’t officials)

Other Types Cause-based (National Wildlife Federation, League of Women Voters, National Rifle Association, MADD) Concerned with the welfare of people (AARP – senior citizens, NAACP – African Americans) Religious Organizations (Christian Coalition, American Jewish Congress)

Honest Lobbyists A lobbyist must be honest and truthful if he or she wants to remain effective. A lobbyist must be honest and truthful if he or she wants to remain effective. Access to lawmakers is critical and if a lobbyist gets a reputation of being untruthful or disingenuous legislators doors will close. Access to lawmakers is critical and if a lobbyist gets a reputation of being untruthful or disingenuous legislators doors will close. Good lobbyists will also make lawmakers aware of the downsides of a bill and the arguments on the other side as well. Good lobbyists will also make lawmakers aware of the downsides of a bill and the arguments on the other side as well.

Lobbyists A Lobbyist is someone whose task it is to influence legislation or policymaking A Lobbyist is someone whose task it is to influence legislation or policymaking Lobbyists are hired by: Lobbyists are hired by: Businesses Trade associations Colleges or universities Foreign countries Anyone else wanting their voice heard on policy matters (Health issues, parent issues…)

Interest Group Techniques Direct Techniques: Lobby at Capitol Hill Lobby at Capitol Hill Have private meetings Have private meetings Meet at social occasions Meet at social occasions Testify at hearings Testify at hearings Drafting legislation Drafting legislation Providing political info Providing political info Supply nomination suggestions Supply nomination suggestions Indirect Techniques: Generating Public Pressure Generating Public Pressure Use public pressure on “hot button” issues Use public pressure on “hot button” issues Use constituents to call lawmakers Use constituents to call lawmakers Build alliances with other groups Build alliances with other groups

Interest Groups have been criticized for… Ignoring the wider interest of society Ignoring the wider interest of society Producing confusion and deadlock in Congress Producing confusion and deadlock in Congress Generating so much emotion that they make reasoned discussion difficult Generating so much emotion that they make reasoned discussion difficult Having too much influence Having too much influence

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? 1. Leaders – having a prominent leader aids in the reputation of the group and enhances a group's ability to attain its goals. 2. Patrons and Funding – funding is critical. Without money, it is hard to get your message out. 3. Members – a group must have members to be successful. Organizing members allows for strength in numbers and pooling of financial support.

Important Interest Groups to Know AARP- American Association of Retired persons AARP- American Association of Retired persons NRA- National Rifle Association NRA- National Rifle Association ACLU- American Civil Liberties Union ACLU- American Civil Liberties Union NAACP- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Sierra Club- Environmental advocate group Sierra Club- Environmental advocate group AFL-CIO- American Federation of Labor AFL-CIO- American Federation of Labor

Others- and Links! AFL-CIO AFL-CIO AFL-CIO Alliance for Justice Alliance for Justice Alliance for Justice Alliance for Justice American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee (ADC) American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee (ADC) American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee (ADC) American-Arab Anti- Discrimination Committee (ADC) American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Bankers Association (ABA) American Bankers Association (ABA) American Bankers Association (ABA) American Bankers Association (ABA) American Bar Association American Bar Association American Bar Association American Bar Association American Civil Liberties Union American Civil Liberties Union American Civil Liberties Union American Civil Liberties Union American Chemical Society American Chemical Society American Chemical Society American Chemical Society American Conservative Union American Conservative Union American Conservative Union American Conservative Union American Farm Bureau Federation American Farm Bureau Federation American Farm Bureau Federation American Farm Bureau Federation American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Federation of Teachers (AFT) American Federation of Teachers (AFT) American Federation of Teachers (AFT) American Federation of Teachers (AFT) American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) American Israel Public Affairs Committee American Israel Public Affairs Committee American Israel Public Affairs Committee American Israel Public Affairs Committee American Legion American Legion American Legion American Legion American Petroleum Institute American Petroleum Institute American Petroleum Institute American Petroleum Institute American Postal Workers Union (APWU) American Postal Workers Union (APWU) American Postal Workers Union (APWU) American Postal Workers Union (APWU) American Public Welfare Association (APWA) American Public Welfare Association (APWA) American Public Welfare Association (APWA) American Public Welfare Association (APWA) Americans Against Political Corruption Americans Against Political Corruption Americans Against Political Corruption Americans Against Political Corruption Americans for Democratic Action Americans for Democratic Action Americans for Democratic Action Americans for Democratic Action Amnesty International Amnesty International Amnesty International Amnesty International Animal Rights Coalition Animal Rights Coalition Animal Rights Coalition Animal Rights Coalition Catholics United for Life Catholics United for Life Catholics United for Life Catholics United for Life Center for Democracy and Technology Center for Democracy and Technology Center for Democracy and Technology Center for Democracy and Technology Center for Public Integrity Center for Public Integrity Center for Public Integrity Center for Public Integrity Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Children's Defense Fund Children's Defense Fund Children's Defense Fund Children's Defense Fund Child Labor Coalition Child Labor Coalition Child Labor Coalition Child Labor Coalition Child Welfare League of America Child Welfare League of America Child Welfare League of America Child Welfare League of America Christian Coalition Christian Coalition Christian Coalition Christian Coalition Citizens Against Government Waste Citizens Against Government Waste Citizens Against Government Waste Citizens Against Government Waste Citizens for Budget Reform (CBR) Citizens for Budget Reform (CBR) Citizens for Budget Reform (CBR) Citizens for Budget Reform (CBR) Citizens for Tax Justice Citizens for Tax Justice Citizens for Tax Justice Citizens for Tax Justice Communications Workers of America (CWA) Communications Workers of America (CWA) Communications Workers of America (CWA) Communications Workers of America (CWA) ConflictNet ConflictNet ConflictNet Concord Coalition Concord Coalition Concord Coalition Concord Coalition Congressional Accountability Project Congressional Accountability Project Congressional Accountability Project Congressional Accountability Project Contract with America Contract with America Contract with America Contract with America Bowling Green State University Coalition Against the Contract [ Bowling Green State University Coalition Against the Contract [ Bowling Green State University Coalition Against the Contract Bowling Green State University Coalition Against the Contract "Contract on America" (book by Ann-Marie Rosato) "Contract on America" (book by Ann-Marie Rosato) "Contract on America" (book by Ann-Marie Rosato) "Contract on America" (book by Ann-Marie Rosato) Council for Responsible Genetics Council for Responsible Genetics Council for Responsible Genetics Council for Responsible Genetics Death Penalty Information Center Death Penalty Information Center Death Penalty Information Center Death Penalty Information Center EcoNet EcoNet EcoNet Electronic Frontier Foundation Electronic Frontier Foundation Electronic Frontier Foundation Electronic Frontier Foundation EMILY's List EMILY's List EMILY's List EMILY's List Empower America Empower America Empower America Empower America Environmental Defense Fund Environmental Defense Fund Environmental Defense Fund Environmental Defense Fund Family Farm Alliance Family Farm Alliance Family Farm Alliance Family Farm Alliance Federation For American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Federation For American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Federation For American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Federation For American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Feminist Majority Foundation Online Feminist Majority Foundation Online Feminist Majority Foundation Online Feminist Majority Foundation Online Friends of the Earth Friends of the Earth Friends of the Earth Friends of the Earth Fund for Constitutional Government Fund for Constitutional Government Fund for Constitutional Government Fund for Constitutional Government Generation X Coalition Generation X Coalition Generation X Coalition Generation X Coalition Government Purchasing Project Government Purchasing Project Government Purchasing Project Government Purchasing Project National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Coalition for the Homeless National Coalition for the Homeless National Coalition for the Homeless National Coalition for the Homeless National Education Association (NEA) National Education Association (NEA) National Education Association (NEA) National Education Association (NEA) National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW) National Organization for Women (NOW) National Organization for Women (NOW) National Organization for Women (NOW) National Recycling Coalition National Recycling Coalition National Recycling Coalition National Recycling Coalition National Resources Defense Council National Resources Defense Council National Resources Defense Council National Resources Defense Council National Right to Life National Right to Life National Right to Life National Right to Life National Rifle Association National Rifle Association National Rifle Association National Rifle Association National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Rural Electric Cooperative Association National Water Resources Association National Water Resources Association National Water Resources Association National Water Resources Association Nuclear Waste Citizens Coalition Nuclear Waste Citizens Coalition Nuclear Waste Citizens Coalition Nuclear Waste Citizens Coalition Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) PeaceNet PeaceNet PeaceNet People For the American Way People For the American Way People For the American Way People For the American Way People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Physicians for a National Health Program Physicians for a National Health Program Physicians for a National Health Program Physicians for a National Health Program Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood Public Citizen Public Citizen Public Citizen Public Citizen Public Interest Research Groups Public Interest Research Groups Public Interest Research Groups Public Interest Research Groups Service Employees International Union Service Employees International Union Service Employees International Union Service Employees International Union Sheet Metal Workers International Association Sheet Metal Workers International Association Sheet Metal Workers International Association Sheet Metal Workers International Association Sierra Club Sierra Club Sierra Club Sierra Club Society for Electronic Access (SEA) Society for Electronic Access (SEA) Society for Electronic Access (SEA) Society for Electronic Access (SEA) Society for Human Resource Management Society for Human Resource Management Society for Human Resource Management Society for Human Resource Management Taxpayers Against Fraud Taxpayers Against Fraud Taxpayers Against Fraud Taxpayers Against Fraud Teledemocracy Action News + Network Teledemocracy Action News + Network Teledemocracy Action News + Network Teledemocracy Action News + Network United Autoworkers Workers (UAW) United Autoworkers Workers (UAW) United Autoworkers Workers (UAW) United Autoworkers Workers (UAW) United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) United Mine Workers of America (UMW) United Mine Workers of America (UMW) United Mine Workers of America (UMW) United Mine Workers of America (UMW) United States Space Foundation United States Space Foundation United States Space Foundation United States Space Foundation Vietnam Veterans of America Vietnam Veterans of America Vietnam Veterans of America Vietnam Veterans of America Women's Legal and Public Policy Information Women's Legal and Public Policy Information Women's Legal and Public Policy Information Women's Legal and Public Policy Information WomensNet WomensNet WomensNet GreenNet (environmental) GreenNet (environmental) GreenNet (environmental) GreenNet (environmental) Greenpeace International Greenpeace International Greenpeace International Greenpeace International Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity Hollywood Women's Political Committee - HWPC Hollywood Women's Political Committee - HWPC Hollywood Women's Political Committee - HWPC Hollywood Women's Political Committee - HWPC International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers International Brotherhood of Teamsters International Brotherhood of Teamsters International Brotherhood of Teamsters International Brotherhood of Teamsters International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers LaborNet LaborNet LaborNet League of Conservation Voters League of Conservation Voters League of Conservation Voters League of Conservation Voters League of Women Voters' Voter Education Project League of Women Voters' Voter Education Project League of Women Voters' Voter Education Project League of Women Voters' Voter Education Project Majority '96 Majority '96 Majority '96 Majority '96 Militia Watchdog Militia Watchdog Militia Watchdog Militia Watchdog National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) National Air Traffic Controllers Association National Air Traffic Controllers Association National Air Traffic Controllers Association National Air Traffic Controllers Association National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) National Association for Public Interest Law National Association for Public Interest Law National Association for Public Interest Law National Association for Public Interest Law National Association of Arab Americans National Association of Arab Americans National Association of Arab Americans National Association of Arab Americans National Association of Baby Boomers National Association of Baby Boomers National Association of Baby Boomers National Association of Baby Boomers National Association of Broadcasters National Association of Broadcasters National Association of Broadcasters National Association of Broadcasters National Association of Community Action Agencies National Association of Community Action Agencies National Association of Community Action Agencies National Association of Community Action Agencies National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

Political Action Committees PACS are the so-called “political arms” of interest groups PACS are the so-called “political arms” of interest groups Support candidates with campaign money Support candidates with campaign money ½ sponsored by corporations; 1/10 by unions ½ sponsored by corporations; 1/10 by unions 1/3 liberal and 2/3 conservative (2001) 1/3 liberal and 2/3 conservative (2001) Incumbents get most PAC money Incumbents get most PAC money The “revolving door” The “revolving door” PACS hire former members of Congress to lobby their old friends, committees, etc… PACS hire former members of Congress to lobby their old friends, committees, etc… This is legal but …Is this Ethical??? This is legal but …Is this Ethical???

Where does ALL the $$ Come From?? Member dues Member dues Federal grants Federal grants Direct mail appeals for cash Direct mail appeals for cash Internet sites Internet sites Dinners and fundraisers Dinners and fundraisers

Money Limits Individuals can give up to $2000 to a candidate but PACS can give $10,000 to a candidate Individuals can give up to $2000 to a candidate but PACS can give $10,000 to a candidate Federal money will match presidential campaign money (donations less than $250, in primaries) but…. Federal money will match presidential campaign money (donations less than $250, in primaries) but…. Parties need at least 5% of vote in previous year for presidential candidate to receive funds Parties need at least 5% of vote in previous year for presidential candidate to receive funds If that doesn’t happen you need PAC’s!!! If that doesn’t happen you need PAC’s!!!

Interest Group Mantra If you give… you shall receive!!