Chapter 11.3 Interest Groups

Types of Interest Groups  Interest groups form to promote a shared viewpoint. By pooling their resources, members can increase their chances of influencing decision makers.  The 1 st Amendment protects the right to belong to interest groups by guaranteeing the right to assemble peacefully and to petition the gov’t.

continued  Groups based on economic interests are some of the most powerful. The Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest, promotes free enterprise. Others, such as the Tobacco Institute, represent specific types of businesses.

continued  Labor unions work for the economic interests of workers. The largest, the AFL-CIO, is an alliance of labor unions. Professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, have their own interest groups.  People have also organized to promote an ethnic group (NAACP), age group (AARP) or gender (NOW). Interest groups also work for special causes such as protecting nature (Sierra Club).

continued  Public interest groups support causes that affect the lives of Americans in general, rather than just the special interests of their own members. For example, Common Cause promotes laws to control pollution and protect consumers.

Influencing Gov’t  Public policy is the course of action the gov’t takes in response to an issue or problem. The primary goal of interest groups is to influence public policy.  Interest groups back candidates who agree with their beliefs. Many form political action committees (PACs) that use money from members to support candidates.

continued  Interest groups also try to influence public policy by bringing court cases. A group may use the courts to argue that a law or gov’t policy is unconstitutional.

continued  Lobbyists are representatives of interest groups who contact gov’t officials directly to influence their policy making. Lobbyists understand how gov’t functions. They know where to go and whom to see. They know how to make friends and talk persuasively.

continued  For lobbyists, information is an important resource. Lawmakers need information about issues. Lobbyists supply it. They suggest solutions to problems. They sometimes draft bills for lawmakers to consider and testify in hearings on bills.  Once laws are enacted, lobbyists help to see that the laws are carried out, enforced and stand up in court.

Techniques of Interest Groups  All interest groups want to influence public opinion both to increase their memberships and to convince people of the rightness of their cause.  Many use direct mail to recruit members. They target potential members by using subscriber or membership mailing lists from magazines or groups with similar views.

continued  Interest groups advertise on radio and TV. They may organize protests or public events to get media coverage.  To promote their views, interest groups may use propaganda techniques such as endorsements, card stacking, the bandwagon, glittering generalities, symbols, “just plain folks” and name- calling.

Regulation of Interest Groups  Laws regulate the activities of interest groups to prevent abuses, such as winning lawmakers’ votes by offering fancy meals and gifts.

continued  The Federal Election Campaign Act limits the amount PACs may contribute to candidates for national office. The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act requires lobbyists to register and to disclose who hired them, how much they are paid and how they spend money related to their work.

continued  These laws are not very effective. They apply only to people who spend most of their time lobbying. Also, the laws provide no means of enforcement.

continued  Laws require a waiting period before former gov’t officials can become lobbyists. The purpose is to prevent ex-public officials from taking unfair advantage of their insider knowledge and friendships on behalf of interest groups. These laws have also proved inadequate.

continued  Critics claim that campaign contributions give interest groups improper influence over officeholders. Others point out that membership in interest groups with skilled lobbyists give citizens a way to increase their influence.