Groups and Interests I36005 Soohyung Ahn Week 7 American Politics and American Foreign Policy Pluralism perspective vs. the others

Question Founding Fathers of the US were suspicious of factions – this is one reason why most of them disliked the idea of political parties. But factions were eminent where liberty thrived. Founding Fathers thought that the mischief of factions could be checked by the multiplicity of factions and a system of representation based on varied constituencies. Were Founding Fathers right?

Contents Founding Fathers' perspective How interest groups influence American policy Two examples showing the tyranny of the majority groups -Lawyers/ Law Firms -Retired Were Founding Fathers right?

Perspective of the US Founding Fathers Founding Fathers of the US were suspicious of factions. However, factions are inevitable phenomena inherent in democracy. -James Madison “Liberty is to faction what air is to fire.” (Dilemma) Their solution to this dilemma  Pluralism -Liberty, the source of factions, can also limit the mischief of factions.

How interest groups influence American policy An interest group is an organized group of people that makes policy-related-appeals to government. Interest group activity is a central feature of American politics and public policy. Interest groups are sometimes referred to as “lobbies” and political action committees(PACs).

Media Interest Group Other Members of Congress Targeted Members of Congress Congressional Staff Constituents Release of favorable research findings Activate Constituents Lobbying New stories favorable to interest group PAC funds, campaigns Alliances, logrolls Letters, faxes, and work in elections Advice

Two examples showing the tyranny of the majority group Upper-Class Bias Well-educated, upper-income business and professional people, organizing and wielding substantial economic, social, and institutional resources predominate. Interest group politics tends to have upper-class bias. In other words, the interests by interest groups are the interests of society’s “haves.”

Top Interest Groups Giving to Members of Congress, 2014 Cycle

Lawyers/ Law Firms The top contributor -“heavy hitter” Main political priority is fighting Tort Reform In the past 20 years, AAJ has donated 31.6 million, 91 % percent of which has gone to Democrats AAJ has more than 56,000 members worldwide, and a network of state

Retired The top contributor -“heavy hitter” Main political priority is maintaining the integrity of Social Security and improving Medicare and other health care for seniors. Supporter of Obama and congressional Democrats' plan for health care reform

Were Founding Fathers right? “No”, I think Founding Fathers theory failed. A few interest groups dominate. -” tyranny of the majority” No matter how varied constituencies are, they are influenced by the powerful interests group.