INTEREST GROUPS AND THE BUREAUCRACY IB TOK 1/Gov Ms. Halle Bauer

What are interest groups?  Interest Group: An organization of people with a common goal or interest that lobbies to influence policy decisions  Institutional Interests: Organizations that represent other organizations and institutions General Motors, Chamber of Commerce  Membership Interests: Organizations of individual members with common political goals NAACP, NRA When entire public benefits (not just members): public- interest lobby

Why interest groups?  There is a diversity of interests and opinions in America  American government is set up to give groups the opportunity to influence policy  Interest groups are protected as a form of political speech  Our laws permit private organizations and nonprofit organizations to have tax-exempt status OR lobby for their interests  National Organization for Women  Our political parties leave something to be desired…

What do interest groups do?  Supply updated information on policy issues to lawmakers  Give political cues to officials by describing how policy changes will affect the public and how the issue fits in with the political party platform and agenda  Make ratings to influence public opinion of lawmakers  Public opinion polls  Encouraging constituents to write to their Congressmen  Writing editorials supporting the interest group’s position So what is “credible” information? Provide Credible InformationHow?

What do interest groups do?  Try to influence policy on particular issues by encouraging lawmakers to vote one way or the other on the issue at hand What kind of knowledge is most persuasive?  PACs: Political Action Committees aligned with interest groups can spend money to influence legislatures  Protests: Sit-ins, marches, picketing Persuade LegislatorsHow?

How are interest groups funded?  Foundation grants  Federal grants and contracts  Federal grants support projects that the group sponsors, not the lobbying itself  Mailings to supporters  Appeal to emotions GrantsSolicitation

Over 50% interest groups represent corporate interests 1/3 of interest groups are professional organizations 4% of interest groups are public-interest groups 2% of interest groups represent civil or minority rights Who do interest groups represent?

THE BUREAUCRACY A large, complex organization of appointed officials

What is the bureaucracy?  A large, complex organization of appointed officials  Congress and the President both have authority over the American bureaucracy  Federal agencies work with state and local agencies to ensure laws are carried out properly  Government by proxy: Lawmakers use the bureaucracy to staff and administer federal programs and do the work of the laws

What does today’s bureaucracy look like?  The Great Depression paved the way for greater government involvement in economic and social problems  WWII required more bureaucracy to oversee the war effort  9/11 created a new department (Homeland Security)  Merit: Competitive Service Exam  Civil servants who align with President’s views  Cabinet, judges, ambassadors  Confidential positions (aides)  Noncareer executive assignments (policy) HistoryRecruitment

What does today’s bureaucracy look like?  56% Male  44% Female  69% White  31% Racial Minorities  Laws restrict ability to hire, fire, build, sell  Congress typically assigns several agencies to one job  As a result…  Government is slow to act  Agencies are inconsistent  “Red tape” Demographics (2004)Constraints

Then: The Iron Triangle Now: An Issue Network

How does Congress oversee the bureaucracy?  Congress approves every agency  All money spent by agencies is first approved by Congress (power of the purse)  Authorization legislation sets spending limits on programs  Approved funds must be appropriated for a specific purpose  House Appropriations Committee approves each agency’s budget Except when trust funds are used for public benefits (SS)

How does Congress oversee the bureaucracy?  Legislative veto: Congress would block Presidential actions by voting them down before they took effect  Ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL  Congressional investigations: Congress can investigate an agency’s decisions and outcomes

Is red tape always negative? What knowledge issues are important in the federal bureaucracy? Is our bureaucracy a “fourth branch” of government?