Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media Unit IIIB Interest Groups

Interest Group n Any organization designed to influence public policy n Collective action by individuals on specific issues to influence policymaking in all levels of government n Prevent action, add/subtract/change policies n Unlike political parties, do not nominate candidates for public office

Historical Insight on Interest Groups n Federalist #10 by James Madison –Factions F Selfish interests threaten common good F Protect individual liberties from the tyranny of the majority F Representative democracy and large republic necessary to curtail influence of factions F Separation of powers in national government limits influence of factions n Constitutional Backing –First Amendment F Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition government

Functions of Interest Groups n Awareness and Education on Issues n Linkage Between People and Government n Provide Information to Government to Enhance Public Policy n Promote Political Participation

Incentives to Join an Interest Group n Solidary Incentives –A sense of belonging and companionship n Material Incentives –Direct Material Incentive F Money or monetary-based services –Purposive Incentive F Ideological motivation and ethical actions

Strategies of Interest Groups n Influencing Elections n Lobbying n Litigation n Going Public

Influencing Elections n Encourage members to vote n Influence party platforms and nominating conventions n Ratings n Political Action Committees (PACs) –Private groups organized to elect certain candidates or spearhead specific issues –Political and financial arms of interest groups –Regulated by FEC and states regarding public disclosure and finances –Super PACs F Unlimited contributions from corporations and unions

Lobbying/Lobbyists n Paid representatives of an interest group –Usually lawyers, former congressional staffers, ex- legislators n Provide data and information to influence policymakers n Testify in committees and executive agencies n Wining and dining n Campaign contributions n Grassroots lobbying n Coalition lobbying D.C. street home to numerous lobby firms

Litigation/Legal Maneuvers n Interest groups and their lobbyists may threaten to sue or sue in court –NAACP sued against segregation leading to landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision n File amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs to influence judicial decisions

Going Public n Direct mailings, media ads, internet blogs n May address issue through criticism n May address issue with favorable promotions n Increase attention and support to issues

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 –Required lobbyists to register with Congress if influenced legislation n Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 –Required lobbyists to register if influencing congressional members, congressional staffers, and executive agencies –Disclose information on members, activities, and finances

Types of Interest Groups n Economic Interest Groups n Causes n Public Interest Groups

Economic Interest Groups n Labor Groups –AFL-CIO –Teamsters Union n Business Groups –National Association of Manufacturers –Energy Lobby (umbrella term for energy corporations and industries) n Agricultural Groups –National Grange –National Farmers’ Union n Professional Groups –National Education Association (NEA) –American Medical Association (AMA) –American Bar Association (ABA)

Causes Groups n American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) n National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) n American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) n National Rifle Association (NRA) n Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) n National Right To Life Committee (NRLC) n Planned Parenthood n Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) n Christian Coalition n Anti-Defamation League n Sierra Club n Greenpeace

Public Interest Groups n Common Cause n League of Women Voters