INTEREST GROUPS IN AMERICA Chapter 8

ORGANIZED INTERESTS: WHO ARE THEY? An interest group is a voluntary association that seeks publicly to promote and create advantages for its cause. An interest group is a voluntary association that seeks publicly to promote and create advantages for its cause. Interest groups focus on achieving success with regard to specific policies. Interest groups focus on achieving success with regard to specific policies. Better educated and wealthier Americans are more active in interest group politics. Better educated and wealthier Americans are more active in interest group politics. Advocacy groups protect individuals and rights, but have contributed to a more passive role for citizens. Advocacy groups protect individuals and rights, but have contributed to a more passive role for citizens.

THE ROOTS OF INTEREST GROUP POLITICS IN AMERICA By the early 1800s, voluntary associations were well established in the United States. By the early 1800s, voluntary associations were well established in the United States. Economic and transportation changes brought rapid growth in organizations in mid-1800s. Economic and transportation changes brought rapid growth in organizations in mid-1800s. Labor unions and other voluntary associations supporting workers appeared in the late 1800s. Labor unions and other voluntary associations supporting workers appeared in the late 1800s. The New Deal spawned hundreds of interest groups with a stake in federal policies. The New Deal spawned hundreds of interest groups with a stake in federal policies. Civil rights movement led to an explosion in Washington-based advocacy groups. Civil rights movement led to an explosion in Washington-based advocacy groups.

WHOSE INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED? WHOSE INTERESTS ARE REPRESENTED? The largest interest group is composed of trade associations, particularly business interests. The largest interest group is composed of trade associations, particularly business interests. Over 40% of all Washington lobbyists represent business interests. Over 40% of all Washington lobbyists represent business interests. Prof. associations, labor unions, and education groups also maintain strong presence in DC Prof. associations, labor unions, and education groups also maintain strong presence in DC Virtually every nation in world maintains a DC office to oversee its relations with U.S. leaders. Virtually every nation in world maintains a DC office to oversee its relations with U.S. leaders. Many interests at the bottom of the economic spectrum enjoy minimal or no representation at all. Many interests at the bottom of the economic spectrum enjoy minimal or no representation at all.

WHY JOIN? Individuals join voluntary associations for: Individuals join voluntary associations for: material benefits, material benefits, the chance to associate with others, and the chance to associate with others, and a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Contrary to rational choice theory, interest group leaders rank material benefits to be the least important incentives. Contrary to rational choice theory, interest group leaders rank material benefits to be the least important incentives. Leaders of all kinds of groups rank purposive incentives highest, with solidarity incentives close behind. Leaders of all kinds of groups rank purposive incentives highest, with solidarity incentives close behind.

INTEREST GROUP STRATEGIES A strategy is a group’s overall plan; the specific actions it undertakes are tactics. A strategy is a group’s overall plan; the specific actions it undertakes are tactics. Inside strategies emphasize direct personal encounters with public officials. Inside strategies emphasize direct personal encounters with public officials. Outside strategies are activities that show popular support for a cause and indirectly create public pressure on elected officials. Outside strategies are activities that show popular support for a cause and indirectly create public pressure on elected officials. Resources useful in advancing a group’s cause include money, numbers, prestige, and leadership. Resources useful in advancing a group’s cause include money, numbers, prestige, and leadership.

LOBBYING & OTHER TACTICS Lobbying is increasingly the province of permanent and salaried professionals. Lobbying is increasingly the province of permanent and salaried professionals. Former gov’t workers well suited to be lobbyists: Former gov’t workers well suited to be lobbyists: Have special knowledge and know the process. Have special knowledge and know the process. Members of Congress value lobbyists because they possess resources of support (contributions, info). Members of Congress value lobbyists because they possess resources of support (contributions, info). Congress has passed laws regulating lobbying activity, including a ban on accepting gifts, meals, or trips from lobbyists. Congress has passed laws regulating lobbying activity, including a ban on accepting gifts, meals, or trips from lobbyists. Interest groups often form tax-exempt organizations, or 527 groups, to engage in various political activities. Interest groups often form tax-exempt organizations, or 527 groups, to engage in various political activities.

LOBBYING & OTHER TACTICS Some interest groups initiate litigation as a tactic to advance their goals. Some interest groups initiate litigation as a tactic to advance their goals. Litigation is expensive, so groups with abundant financial resources are most likely to undertake it. Litigation is expensive, so groups with abundant financial resources are most likely to undertake it. Grassroots mobilization involves organizing citizens to pressure officials for/against a policy. Grassroots mobilization involves organizing citizens to pressure officials for/against a policy. Protests, which have always been a part of U.S. politics, are the ultimate form of grassroots activity. Protests, which have always been a part of U.S. politics, are the ultimate form of grassroots activity. Protest usually accompanies issues that are highly charged emotionally. Protest usually accompanies issues that are highly charged emotionally. Protest is a common tactic among those with few resources and little direct access to power. Protest is a common tactic among those with few resources and little direct access to power.

Exponential Growth of PACs

The Most Powerful People in D.C.

Which Interests Are Best Represented?

Top PAC Contributors to Federal Candidates in National Assn of Realtors$3,030,005 National Assn of Realtors$3,030,005 National Assn of Realtors National Assn of Realtors National Auto Dealers Assn$2,376,600 National Auto Dealers Assn$2,376,600 National Auto Dealers Assn National Auto Dealers Assn National Beer Wholesalers Assn$2,364,500 National Beer Wholesalers Assn$2,364,500 National Beer Wholesalers Assn National Beer Wholesalers Assn Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $2,311,650 Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $2,311,650 Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Assn of Trial Lawyers of America$2,114,500 Assn of Trial Lawyers of America$2,114,500 Assn of Trial Lawyers of America Assn of Trial Lawyers of America American Bankers Assn$2,047,774 American Bankers Assn$2,047,774 American Bankers Assn American Bankers Assn Credit Union National Assn$2,047,224 Credit Union National Assn$2,047,224 Credit Union National Assn Credit Union National Assn National Assn of Home Builders$1,982,500 National Assn of Home Builders$1,982,500 National Assn of Home Builders National Assn of Home Builders AT&T Inc$1,972,515 AT&T Inc$1,972,515 AT&T Inc AT&T Inc United Parcel Service (UPS) $1,872,179 United Parcel Service (UPS) $1,872,179 United Parcel Service United Parcel Service

Top PAC Contributors to Federal Candidates in National Assn of Realtors National Assn of Realtors National Assn of Realtors National Assn of Realtors 48% to Dems and 51% to Republicans 48% to Dems and 51% to Republicans National Auto Dealers Assn National Auto Dealers Assn National Auto Dealers Assn National Auto Dealers Assn 28% to Dems and 72% to Republicans 28% to Dems and 72% to Republicans National Beer Wholesalers Assn National Beer Wholesalers Assn National Beer Wholesalers Assn National Beer Wholesalers Assn 29% to Dems and 71% to Republicans 29% to Dems and 71% to Republicans Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 96% to Dems and 3% to Republicans 96% to Dems and 3% to Republicans Assn of Trial Lawyers of America Assn of Trial Lawyers of America Assn of Trial Lawyers of America Assn of Trial Lawyers of America 96% to Dems and 4% to Republicans 96% to Dems and 4% to Republicans

Who Gives to Republicans & Democrats?