America and Arizona Government for Elementary Teachers Presentation 17: Interest Groups and Parties

Presentation Objectives AEPA Objectives 0006 Understand various governmental systems Understand the development of political parties in the United States. AZ Social Studies Standard, Strand 3 Concept 4: Rights, Responsibilities, and Roles of Citizenship

What are Interest Groups? Any organization that seeks to influence public policy.

Impact of Interest Groups Pluralist – Competition between groups insures that no one group dominates Elitist – pluralism doesn’t work because it is the monied interests which have the loudest voice Hyper-pluralism – groups are so numerous and powerful that it is impossible to make a coherent public policy

Why are some groups powerful? Small groups tend be more effective  Small overhead  Narrow focus  Large groups have free riders

Collective Action Matrix Benefits ConcentratedDiffuse Costs Concentrated Flood Insurance User Fees Toll Roads Environmental regulations Diffuse Affirmative Action Tariffs Subsidized insurance Amtrack Govt. Studies Social Security National Defense

Collective Action Matrix Benefits ConcentratedDiffuse Costs Concentrated Flood Insurance User Fees Toll Roads Environmental regulations Safety regulations (gun control) Diffuse Affirmative Action Tariffs Subsidized insurance Amtrack Govt. Studies Social Security National Defense Interest groups that seek specific benefits or avoid specific costs are effective because members are willing to pay organizational costs Oppositional groups have difficulty organizing

Collective Action Matrix This means that a vocal, motivated minority will always have more influence on public policy than a complacent majority.

Lobbying Provide information to policy makers to persuade them to enact favorable legislation

Electioneering Help friendly politicians stay in office and defeat unfriendly politicians

Influence Public Opinion Bypass the policy process to affect behavior directly Also affects politicians, if they like their jobs

Litigation Last ditch resort to block policy

Political Parties

What are Political Parties? Act the same as Interest groups  Lobbying Provide information to policy makers to persuade them to enact favorable legislation  Electioneering Help friendly politicians stay in office and defeat unfriendly politicians  Influence Public Opinion Bypass the policy process to affect behavior directly Also affects politicians, if they like their jobs  Litigation Last ditch resort blocking of policy

What are Political Parties? One additional activity  Lobbying Provide information to policy makers to persuade them to enact favorable legislation  Electioneering Help friendly politicians stay in office and defeat unfriendly politicians  Influence Public Opinion Bypass the policy process to affect behavior directly Also affects politicians, if they like their jobs  Litigation Last ditch resort blocking of policy Select and Support Candidates for election

What do parties do?

Why have parties? Aggregate Preferences Like minded folks getting together to turn their preferences into policy.

Why have parties? Give Candidates the Ability to govern The party acts as a government in opposition, enables winning candidates to quickly fill positions transition team for Missouri’s new governor

Why have parties? Provide Information to Voters They keep track of the minutia, educate the public on the important issues

Why have parties? Provide a way to maintain the election machine between elections Most important function, historic origin

What don’t they Do? Are they worth the trouble? Build Consensus  Good policy often requires compromise  Compromise takes campaign issues away from parties and candidates  The party needs to stand FOR something and Against something  Expect gridlock in congress before an election

What don’t they Do? Are they worth the trouble? Have the national interest paramount Parties exist to further their fortunes May or may not coincide with the national interest

What don’t they Do? Are they worth the trouble? Provide unbiased information Parties are election machines, not educational institutions

What don’t they Do? Are they worth the trouble? Provide unbiased information Parties are election machines, not educational institutions

Why Two parties? System is set up to perpetuate itself  Who makes election rules?

3 rd Party Barriers Ballot rules Winner-take-all system Congressional rules

Co-optation Parties co-opt successful movements to prevent losing ground to them  Leadership  Issue position

Cross-Cutting Issue Cross-cutting cleavage creates opportunity for 3 rd party to gain followers. Cross-Cutting Cleavage Entitlement Reform Reinforcing Cleavage Gun Control Dem Rep Con Pro Con Pro

Conclusion

This Presentation This presentation is courtesy of Brian Dille, Professor of Political Science at Mesa Community College.