American and Texas Government: Policy and Politics, 10/e By Neal Tannahill 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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. 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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. 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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” 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Interest Group Tactics Electioneering – Help elect candidates that support group’s interests Educate members about candidates Endorsements of candidates Financial support PACs Individual bundled contributions Independent expenditure campaigns (527s, etc.) Friendly incumbent rule 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

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 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Conclusion: Interest Groups and Public Policy Interest Groups Educate citizens about political issues Communicate policy choices to government officials Hold elected officials accountable for their actions Prevent the concentration of power First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law … abridging … the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.

Conclusion (continued) Agenda Building – interest groups participate in the agenda that determines nation’s policy agenda, compete to place items on nation’s agenda Policy Formulation and Adoption – interest groups don’t adopt government policy, but pressure government to focus and adopt policies they favor Policy Implementation and Evaluation – Interest groups stay active after policies are adopted and public attention drifts, attempt to shape policy evaluation to favor their positions 2010, 2008, 2006 Pearson Education, Inc.