Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning INTEREST GROUPS Chapter Seven

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Learning Outcomes 1. Define an interest group and explain the constitutional and political reasons why so many groups are found in the United States. 2. Explain why an individual may or may not decide to join an interest group and the benefits that membership can confer. 3. Describe different types of interest groups and the sources of their political power. 4. Identify the direct and indirect techniques that interest groups use to influence government decisions. 2

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Introduction  Interest group: an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers  Lobbyist: organization or individual who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government 3

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon  Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville “... in no country of the world has the principle of association been more successfully used or applied to a greater multitude of objectives than in America.”  Interests groups form to Solve civic problems Establish social relationships Represent economic or political interests 4

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon  James Madison foresaw importance of multiple organizations in political system  Protects minority views  Pluralism  Two-thirds of all Americans belong to at least one group Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 5

Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon  Interest groups and social movements  Demands change in political, economic or social system  Movements indicate first signs of discontent  Women’s suffrage  Civil rights movement  Immigrant workers and La Raz  Human Rights Campaign  Occupy movement 6

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Social Movement Interest Groups 7

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon  Why so many?  First Amendment guarantees  Federal system opportunities  Racial, ethnic and religious diversity Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 8

Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups?  Unorganized or latent interests  Collective good  Free rider problem  Solidary incentives  Companionship  Sense of belonging  Association with like-minded people 9

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups?  Material incentives  Economic well-being and opportunities  Protect interests regarding government policy  Purposive incentives  Advocate political goals through joint action  Advocate social goals through joint action  Way to participate in democratic society 10

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Types of Interest Groups  Economic groups (most common type)  Business interest groups  Agricultural interest groups  Labor interest groups  Public-employee unions  Interest groups of professionals  The unorganized poor 11

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Decline in Union Membership, 1948 to Present 12

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Types of Interest Groups  Environmental groups  National Audubon Society  Sierra Club  National Wildlife Federation  Greenpeace Society Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 13

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Types of Interest Groups  Public-interest groups  Nader organizations  Other public-interest groups  American Civil Liberties Union  League of Women Voters  Common Cause  MoveOn 14

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Types of Interest Groups  Other interest groups  Single-interest interest groups  National Rifle Association  PETA  AARP  Foreign governments 15

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning “One Issue” Interest Groups 16

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning What Makes an Interest Group Powerful?  Size and resources  Large number of members paying dues = strong financial base (AARP)  Some are small in number, but have significant financial resources (Big Pharma)  Leadership  Develop effective strategies  Charisma and public image  Cohesiveness  Motivation and commitment of members is key 17

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Profiles of Power: Four Influential Interest Groups 18

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Profiles of Power: Four Influential Interest Groups 19

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Group Strategies  Access to government officials essential  Direct techniques  Lobbying  Rating systems  Building alliances  Campaign assistance  Bipartisan Campaign Finance Act  Citizens United v. FEC 20

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Legislative Scorecards 21

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Group Strategies  Indirect techniques  Generating public pressure  Use of polls  “Climate control”  Constituents as lobbyists  Unconventional pressure  Boston Tea party  March on Washington  WTO protests 22

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Climate Control? 23

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Regulating Lobbyists  Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946)  Results of the 1946 Act  Defined lobbyist  Only full-time lobbyists must register  Foreign Agent Registration Act (1938) 24

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Regulating Lobbyists  Reforms of 1995  Lobbyist redefined  Stricter registration requirements  Semiannual reports  Foreign entities must register  Excludes grassroots & tax-exempt organizations 25

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Regulating Lobbyists  Recent lobbying scandals  Jack Abramoff case  Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007)  Tighter requirements (but still loopholes)  New rules on congressional gifts and trips 26

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups and Representative Democracy  Middle-and upper-class bias  “Elite within an elite” leadership  Most powerful: business, union, trade and professional groups  Public-interest and civil rights groups may struggle  More elitist than pluralist 27

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups and Representative Democracy  Interest group influence  Not all have equal influence  Different combination of resources  Public support important  Most successful often focus on specific issue 28

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Community Unites With Chicago Teacher’s Union 29