 Make a list of all the interest groups you can think of and what they represent  Categorize them as: economic, environmental, equality, consumer/public interest, or professional/government  Which types benefit non-members, as well as members? Bellringer

INTEREST GROUPS Chapter 9

Today we will … Objectives Agenda  Interest Groups  Explain the rise of interest groups.  Describe how interest groups influence public policy making.  Interest Groups – notes  Ch. 9 Reading Quiz  FRQ Review, if time  HW: Interest Groups assignment Unit Test  MC Portion on Friday 11/21  FRQ portion on Tuesday 11/25

Copyright © 2009 Cengage Learning 4 Fortune’s “Power 25” The 10 Most Effective Interest Groups

Copyright © 2009 Cengage Learning 5 Some Other Important Interest Groups (That Didn’t Make the List)

 An interest group is any organization that seeks to influence public opinion. 1. Many kinds of cleavage, many different interests 2. Constitution provides many “access points” 3. Weakness of political parties Why do we have so many interest groups?

1. Broad economic development  Rise of industrialization led to increased need for unions & their interests 2. Government policy itself  Wars create Veterans. Collective Bargaining creates unions. 3. Emergence of strong leaders  Especially social movements focused on need for change & inspired by political and religious doctrine  Usually young people 4. Expanding role of government  More government activities = more interests that those actions will affect 1. Factors that account for the rise of interest groups

 Individuals or organizations representing other organizations  Business, Trade, Governmental Associations, Universities  Interest organizations  Less likely union - more likely religious, political, civic  Greater sense of political efficacy - civic duty Institutional vs. Membership Who actually lobbies?

Solidarity Incentives: happiness, status & companionship  Material Incentives: money, things, services  Purposive Incentives: goal/purpose of the organization itself, passion Recruit members sometimes using fear & anger May be deeply controversial/off the times Also, patronage can help to attract members Incentives to Join: combating the “free rider” problem

 Some members of an interest group may not care about many of the issues w/which the interest group gets involved.  What the interest group does may reflect what the interest group staff wants rather than what the members it represents believe.  Staff influences the group’s policy agenda if solidarity or material benefits are more important to members than purposive goals. Staff Influence

Check for understanding  How do institutional and membership interest groups differ?  What are three incentives for joining an interest group?

3. Consumer & Public Interest Lobby  Group pursuing “common” policy interests  Benefits non-members  Purposive incentive to join  Single issue focused groups  Tend to be liberal? ◦ PUBLIC CITIZEN PUBLIC CITIZEN ◦ Research and Lobbying ◦ Litigations to advance the cause Ralph Nader

4. Interest Groups & Social Movements  Environmental movement  Wilderness & wildlife conservation  Feminist movement  Suffrage – League of Women Voters  Equal Rights – NOW, NARAL  Enforcement  Union movement  AFL-CIO  What area is fastest growing now?

Politics

6. Activities of Interest Groups  Information  Public Support  Earmarks  Money & PACs  The “Revolving Door”  Civil Disobedience  Trouble

 Most important tactic  Detailed, CURRENT- can build or destroy legislator/lobbyist relationship  Most effective on narrow and/or technical issues  Political cues & rating systems  g-records/2013vrgraphics.php g-records/2013vrgraphics.php Supplying groups with credible information

 “Friend of the Court”: Document filed by someone/ a group not directly related to the case to volunteer information that they deem to be worthy in deciding the case.  APA APA Amicus Curiae Brief

 Outsider strategy  Grassroots lobbying  Who is the key target?  Dirty Dozen Dirty Dozen Public Support/ Pressure

 Promise of future job to officials  Conflict of interest The Revolving Door

 Disrupt the institution and force negotiations  Enlist the support of others, who will also press for negotiations  Create martyrs to draw public concern and support ◦ K Street protests: Occupy, Take Back The Capitol set to protest lobbyists | WJLA.com K Street protests: Occupy, Take Back The Capitol set to protest lobbyists | WJLA.com Trouble

1. What are the 5 activities IG’s use to influence policy making? 2. Which do you think is most effective? 3. Which is least effective? Check for Understanding

Chapter 9 Reading Quiz

Closure 1.What is the fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process? 2.What is the fundamental goal of political parties? 3.How do interest groups support the goal of parties?

Tactics/Strategies  Legislative ◦ Testifying ◦ Contacting (Formally or Informally) ◦ Drafting ◦ Alerting to Impacts ◦ Mobilizing Constituents ◦ Contributing ◦ Electioneering ◦ Endorsing ◦ Coalition-building  Executive ◦ Contacting ◦ Influencing Appointments ◦ Drafting Rules/ Regulations/Guidelines ◦ Serving on Boards  Judicial ◦ Litigation ◦ Amicus curiae briefs  Grassroots