Types of Interest Groups Linkage Institutions

What different types of interest groups are there? Linkage Institutions Interest Groups What different types of interest groups are there?

Potential Groups / Actual Groups Interest Groups

Interest Groups Potential Potential Group Every person is a part of hundreds of “potential groups” All people who could possibly benefit from the work of the interest group make up the potential group 100 All people who share a common interest with the interest group All of these people are not in the interest group

Interest Groups Actual Actual Group Members of the potential group who actually join the interest group make up the actual group 100 They “join” the group in some way, by registering, or paying dues, or acting on behalf of the group Groups want to attract people from the potential group to join the actual group

Interest Groups Free Rider Free Riders People who get benefits that the group worked for without participating in the work of the group These are members of the potential group that are not in the actual group 100 These people may not even know they are free riding They might not see any reason to join the group if they are getting the benefits The bigger the potential group is, the bigger the free rider problem the group will have

Big & Small Interest Groups

Interest Groups Size Big Group Problem Big groups are going to have a bigger problem with free riders. They are going to have a hard time mobilizing all of their members to act, or to coordinate their actions in the same way They are more visible – which makes them have a harder time with PR since people tend to have negative attitudes toward interest groups

Free riders are more likely in the larger groups Interest Groups Size Free Riders Free riders are more likely in the larger groups When groups pursue benefits that cannot be kept away from everyone in the potential group, there’s not much reason for people to join the group

The group wants to minimize the free rider problem Interest Groups Size Selective Benefits The group wants to minimize the free rider problem They have to create benefits that they can restrict to only their group members This creates some incentive for members of the potential group to join the actual group. If it is the reason even 1 person joins the interest group, they have reduced the free rider problem.

So… small groups will have less of a free rider problem Interest Groups Size Small Group If there’s a small potential group, whatever benefits the group fights for will be split among less individuals That means potentially more benefits for each member of the group, creating more incentive to join the group So… small groups will have less of a free rider problem

Also have an easier time mobilizing all their members. Interest Groups Size Small Group Also have an easier time mobilizing all their members. They will be able to better coordinate the activities of their group members They are less likely to be visible, so they benefit – because people don’t notice, not because people like them better

Interest Groups Size Specific Interests The more specific the interest that the group pursues, the more likely the group is going to have success influencing policy They can pursue VERY SPECIFIC goals that an average person could not possibly pay attention to. Because the influence they have seems “invisible” they will not be held back by negative reactions from the public.

Types of Interest Groups

Interest Groups Categories Policy Groups Groups that advocate for a specific policy goal This is what people think about when they think about interest groups They have specific policies in mind and they try to persuade lawmakers to pass them or change existing laws

Interest Groups Categories Policy Groups NRA - National Rifle Association - advocate for gun rights. PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – advocate for animal rights ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union – fight to protect people’s rights found in the Bill of Rights National Right to Life Committee – advocate to end abortions in the United States

Interest Groups Categories Group Groups Groups that advocate for a specific demographic group They try to protect the interests of a specific group of people Their goals are more broad than a policy group – but they maintain focus on all things that impact their group These groups are very susceptible to the free rider problem

Interest Groups Categories Group Groups NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – protect the interest of racial minorities AARP – American Association of Retired Persons – protect the interests of old people NOW – National Organization for Women – protect the interests of women Christian Coalition– fight to protect the interests of Christians

Interest Groups Categories Professional Groups Groups that represent a professionals with the same career They try to protect the interests of that particular career These groups will have smaller potential groups and may have an easier time getting its members on the same page.

ABA – American Bar Association – represents the interests of lawyers Interest Groups Categories Professional Groups AMA – American Medical Association – represents the interests of doctors ABA – American Bar Association – represents the interests of lawyers NEA – National Education Association – represents the interests of teachers. US Chamber of Commerce – represents the interests of “business” meaning business owners

Interest Groups Categories Workers’ Groups Groups that represent the interests of “workers” as opposed to business owners Most of these would just be “labor unions” In general they fight for better wages and working conditions for workers May be very active on very small scales like individual workplaces Have traditionally aligned themselves with the Democratic Party

Interest Groups Categories Workers’ Groups Groups that represent the interests of “workers” as opposed to business owners Most of these would just be “labor unions” In general they fight for better wages and working conditions for workers May be very active on very small scales like individual workplaces Have traditionally aligned themselves with the Democratic Party

Interest Groups Categories Workers’ Groups AFL-CIO - the largest national labor union Teamsters – large industrial labor union

Bigly Ideas Beliefs & Behaviors

History Wrap Up Free Rider Problem Big Group Problem Types of Groups Examples Focus on these things: