Interest Groups Chapter Nine

Interest Groups People with an intense devotion to a social cause join groups composed of those with similar interests People with an intense devotion to a social cause join groups composed of those with similar interests Groups originally viewed negatively  “factions” to be controlled Groups originally viewed negatively  “factions” to be controlled Many groups have headquarters in Washington to affect policy  few orgs and occup. Go without representation in D.C. Many groups have headquarters in Washington to affect policy  few orgs and occup. Go without representation in D.C. Why so many interest groups? Why so many interest groups?

Institutions that Influence Policy-making Exist outside the structure of government but directly intertwined with policy making: political parties, interest groups, PACs, 527s Exist outside the structure of government but directly intertwined with policy making: political parties, interest groups, PACs, 527s Parties v. Interest Groups Parties v. Interest Groups Both Both Parties Parties Parties support a broad range of issues, while int.groups focus on one or few Parties support a broad range of issues, while int.groups focus on one or few Interest group actions that get candidates elected (party goal): Interest group actions that get candidates elected (party goal): Helps interest groups by: Helps interest groups by:

Institutions that Influence Policy-making (Cont’d) PACs (Political Action Committees $$) PACs (Political Action Committees $$) Focus on influencing election results Focus on influencing election results Drastically increased, esp. since 1974 limits to independent contributions (over 4,000 exist, 50% corporations) as a way to funnel money to favorite candidates that support a part. Interest Drastically increased, esp. since 1974 limits to independent contributions (over 4,000 exist, 50% corporations) as a way to funnel money to favorite candidates that support a part. Interest 527 groups 527 groups New phenomenon, 2004 election  created to get around $ restrictions of PACs and ind.contributions New phenomenon, 2004 election  created to get around $ restrictions of PACs and ind.contributions

Functions of Interest Groups Four strategies to accomplish their goals of promoting their interest: Four strategies to accomplish their goals of promoting their interest: 1) Lobbying – attempt to influence government policies 1) Lobbying – attempt to influence government policies 2) Campaign Contributions/ Electioneering – getting and keeping people in office to support the interest group’s cause 2) Campaign Contributions/ Electioneering – getting and keeping people in office to support the interest group’s cause Why use Campaign Contributions? Why use Campaign Contributions? Buy candidate loyalty/ support; financial resources; groups that need access Buy candidate loyalty/ support; financial resources; groups that need access

Functions of Interest Groups 2 3) Litigation – 3) Litigation – If lobbying Congress does not achieve change  If lobbying Congress does not achieve change  Ex. NAACP during Civil Rights movement challenged discriminatory state/ nat’l laws and practices (school desegregation) Ex. NAACP during Civil Rights movement challenged discriminatory state/ nat’l laws and practices (school desegregation) Influencing court decisions by filing Influencing court decisions by filing with arguments in support of one side (with information and research) with arguments in support of one side (with information and research) File Class Action lawsuits – File Class Action lawsuits – Why use litigation? Why use litigation? - -success establishes a firm precedent -success establishes a firm precedent Works when an issue lacks broad popular support or when the group lacks influence over policy Works when an issue lacks broad popular support or when the group lacks influence over policy

Functions of Interest Groups 3 4) Grassroots lobbying/ Mass Mobilization 4) Grassroots lobbying/ Mass Mobilization Linkage Institution Linkage Institution Connects its members to the government Connects its members to the government Influence policy-making by improving the public image of the people they represent (laborers as hard workers and backbone of the country) or by advertising to defend their products Influence policy-making by improving the public image of the people they represent (laborers as hard workers and backbone of the country) or by advertising to defend their products Goal is to keep a favorable position among groups in Washington  increasing high profile ads Goal is to keep a favorable position among groups in Washington  increasing high profile ads Why Grassroots? Why Grassroots? “Ratings Game” – rates members of Congress in terms of how much support they give to legislation favorable to the groups cause  influences members on who to vote for “Ratings Game” – rates members of Congress in terms of how much support they give to legislation favorable to the groups cause  influences members on who to vote for

Types of Interest Groups Divided into three general types: Divided into three general types: Economic groups focus on Economic groups focus on Gov. does not directly set them but affects them through regulations, tax incentives, contracts Gov. does not directly set them but affects them through regulations, tax incentives, contracts Labor Unions – better working conditions & higher wages Labor Unions – better working conditions & higher wages Union shop in some areas  requires new employee to join the union to ensure solidarity (25% in 1970, decreasing support for unions/strikes) Union shop in some areas  requires new employee to join the union to ensure solidarity (25% in 1970, decreasing support for unions/strikes) Professional groups – Professional groups – American Medical Association, National Education Association American Medical Association, National Education Association Agriculture groups Agriculture groups Business groups – Business groups – Trade associations (life insurance, tire manufacturers) Trade associations (life insurance, tire manufacturers) Pharmaceutical lobby – large and powerful (600 lobbyists) Pharmaceutical lobby – large and powerful (600 lobbyists)

Types of Interest Groups 2 Consumer and Public Interest Groups Consumer and Public Interest Groups Seek a collective good with benefits for everyone, not just members of the group themselves Seek a collective good with benefits for everyone, not just members of the group themselves Environmental Issues Environmental Issues Concerns directly conflict with corporations whose action they wish to control Concerns directly conflict with corporations whose action they wish to control

Types of Interest Groups 3 Equality and Justice Interests Equality and Justice Interests Oldest and largest  NAACP, lobbied, initiated cases, organized Oldest and largest  NAACP, lobbied, initiated cases, organized Most prominent women’s org  NOW (National Org. for Women) Most prominent women’s org  NOW (National Org. for Women) Types of Membership Types of Membership Institutional Institutional Over 500 firm have lobbyists, public-relations experts, and lawyers in Washington (since 1970) Over 500 firm have lobbyists, public-relations experts, and lawyers in Washington (since 1970) Individual – interest groups members composed of individuals (Americans more likely to join), groups lobby for their interests Individual – interest groups members composed of individuals (Americans more likely to join), groups lobby for their interests NAACP, NOW, AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, Christian Coal. NAACP, NOW, AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, Christian Coal.

Why Join Interest Groups? Solidary Incentives Solidary Incentives Material Incentives Material Incentives Committed to the cause Committed to the cause

Effective Interest Groups Intensity Intensity The more intensely committed a group, the more effective The more intensely committed a group, the more effective Single-issue groups devoted to a controversial cause tend to be more intense and involved (willing to protest and actively push for change) Single-issue groups devoted to a controversial cause tend to be more intense and involved (willing to protest and actively push for change) Size – the smaller, more active the group, the more effective Size – the smaller, more active the group, the more effective Large interest groups  free rider problem – so many members that all believe that someone else will do the work, but all benefit Large interest groups  free rider problem – so many members that all believe that someone else will do the work, but all benefit Some small groups can afford tangible advantages to members Some small groups can afford tangible advantages to members Money Money Effective in lobbying, organizing, educating with funds Effective in lobbying, organizing, educating with funds Successful fundraising is crucial to any interest group Successful fundraising is crucial to any interest group

$ Where do Interest Groups get their funds? $ Most difficult for individual membership organizations to raise funds  some collect dues Most difficult for individual membership organizations to raise funds  some collect dues 3 important sources: 3 important sources: 1) 1) Esp. for public interest groups Esp. for public interest groups Ex. Ford foundation, Bill and Linda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Family Ex. Ford foundation, Bill and Linda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Family 2) 2) Shifts depending on leaders in power Shifts depending on leaders in power 3) 3) Use of computers to get contact info of members Use of computers to get contact info of members Interest group websites encourage contributions Interest group websites encourage contributions

Theories of Interest Group Politics  Elite vs. Pluralist Elitist Theory Elitist Theory Just few big interest groups have most of the power and run government by preserving own interests Just few big interest groups have most of the power and run government by preserving own interests System of interlocking connections (same people sitting on several boards) that control system System of interlocking connections (same people sitting on several boards) that control system Corporate interests control gov. Corporate interests control gov. Pluralist Theory Pluralist Theory Interest groups benefit American democracy by bringing representation to all people Interest groups benefit American democracy by bringing representation to all people Provides a linkage between people and gov. Provides a linkage between people and gov. Numerous groups ensures no one group will dominate, and those weak in one resource are strong in others (ex. little $, high membership) Numerous groups ensures no one group will dominate, and those weak in one resource are strong in others (ex. little $, high membership) Hyperpluralist Theory Hyperpluralist Theory Too many groups try to influence political process  political chaos, contradiction in policy Too many groups try to influence political process  political chaos, contradiction in policy Gov. tries to please every self-interested interest group, so does not protect public good Gov. tries to please every self-interested interest group, so does not protect public good

Controversy of Interest Groups: “Revolving Door” Controversial practice in which government officials (Congressional members and executive agencies) quit their jobs to take positions as Controversial practice in which government officials (Congressional members and executive agencies) quit their jobs to take positions as Gives private interests unfair influence over gov. officials who receive favors for policy? Gives private interests unfair influence over gov. officials who receive favors for policy? Uncertain on how widespread this practice is Uncertain on how widespread this practice is

Discussion Questions Discuss the following questions in pairs and write your opinion to each question, using support Discuss the following questions in pairs and write your opinion to each question, using support 1) Are interest groups contributors to or distracters from the democratic process? 1) Are interest groups contributors to or distracters from the democratic process? 2) Do interest groups help or hinder the government in making good decisions that benefit citizens of the country? 2) Do interest groups help or hinder the government in making good decisions that benefit citizens of the country? 3) Does our system of checks and balances work well in keeping the influence of particular groups in proportion to that of others? 3) Does our system of checks and balances work well in keeping the influence of particular groups in proportion to that of others? 4) Which theory (elite, pluralist, or hyperpluralist) do you support in regard to interest groups? 4) Which theory (elite, pluralist, or hyperpluralist) do you support in regard to interest groups? Write short answers explaining how the following terms connect (using the definitions and comparisons): Write short answers explaining how the following terms connect (using the definitions and comparisons): 5) Interest groups, political parties, PACs, and 527s 5) Interest groups, political parties, PACs, and 527s 6) Litigation, amicus curiae, and class action lawsuits 6) Litigation, amicus curiae, and class action lawsuits 7) Electioneering, lobbying, linkage institution, litigation 7) Electioneering, lobbying, linkage institution, litigation 8) elitist theory, pluralist theory, hyperpluralist theory 8) elitist theory, pluralist theory, hyperpluralist theory 9) foundation grants, federal grants, direct solicitation 9) foundation grants, federal grants, direct solicitation 10) Free rider problem, revolving door 10) Free rider problem, revolving door