Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning INTEREST GROUPS Chapter Seven

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Introduction  Interest group: an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers  Lobbyist: organization or individual who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government 2

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon  Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville “... in no country of the world has the principle of association been more successfully used or applied to a greater multitude of objectives than in America.”  Interests groups form to Solve civic problems Establish social relationships Represent economic or political interests 3

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon  James Madison foresaw importance of multiple organizations in political system  Protects minority views  Pluralism  Two-thirds of all Americans belong to at least one group Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 4

Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon  Interest groups and social movements  Demands change in political, economic or social system  Movements indicate first signs of discontent  Women’s suffrage  Civil rights movement  Immigrant workers and La Raz  Human Rights Campaign  Occupy movement 5

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Social Movement Interest Groups 6

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon  Why so many?  First Amendment guarantees  Federal system opportunities  Racial, ethnic and religious diversity Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 7

Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups?  Unorganized or latent interests  Collective good  Free rider problem  Solidary incentives  Companionship  Sense of belonging  Association with like-minded people 8

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups?  Material incentives  Economic well-being and opportunities  Protect interests regarding government policy  Purposive incentives  Advocate political goals through joint action  Advocate social goals through joint action  Way to participate in democratic society 9

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Types of Interest Groups  Economic groups (most common type)  Business interest groups  Agricultural interest groups  Labor interest groups  Public-employee unions  Interest groups of professionals  The unorganized poor 10

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Decline in Union Membership, 1948 to Present 11

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Types of Interest Groups  Environmental groups  National Audubon Society  Sierra Club  National Wildlife Federation  Greenpeace Society Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 12

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Types of Interest Groups  Public-interest groups  Nader organizations  Other public-interest groups  American Civil Liberties Union  League of Women Voters  Common Cause  MoveOn 13

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Types of Interest Groups  Other interest groups  Single-interest interest groups  National Rifle Association  PETA  AARP  Foreign governments 14

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning “One Issue” Interest Groups 15

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning What Makes an Interest Group Powerful?  Size and resources  Large number of members paying dues = strong financial base (AARP)  Some are small in number, but have significant financial resources (Big Pharma)  Leadership  Develop effective strategies  Charisma and public image  Cohesiveness  Motivation and commitment of members is key 16

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Profiles of Power: Four Influential Interest Groups 17

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Profiles of Power: Four Influential Interest Groups 18

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Group Strategies  Access to government officials essential  Direct techniques  Lobbying  Rating systems  Building alliances  Campaign assistance  Bipartisan Campaign Finance Act  Citizens United v. FEC 19

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning PACS  Political Action Committee  They are how interest group directly give money to a candidate  they are regulated-Citizens United  We now have super PACs  They can spend as much money as they want but it can't be a direct contribution 20

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Group Strategies  Indirect techniques  Generating public pressure  Use of polls  “Climate control”  Constituents as lobbyists  Unconventional pressure  Boston Tea party  March on Washington  WTO protests 21

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Regulating Lobbyists  Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946)  Results of the 1946 Act  Defined lobbyist  Only full-time lobbyists must register  Foreign Agent Registration Act (1938) 22

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Regulating Lobbyists  Reforms of 1995  Lobbyist redefined  Stricter registration requirements  Semiannual reports  Foreign entities must register  Excludes grassroots & tax-exempt organizations 23

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Regulating Lobbyists  Recent lobbying scandals  Jack Abramoff case  Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007)  Tighter requirements (but still loopholes)  New rules on congressional gifts and trips 24

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups and Representative Democracy  Middle-and upper-class bias  “Elite within an elite” leadership  Most powerful: business, union, trade and professional groups  Public-interest and civil rights groups may struggle  More elitist than pluralist 25

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Interest Groups and Representative Democracy  Interest group influence  Not all have equal influence  Different combination of resources  Public support important  Most successful often focus on specific issue 26