1. Interest Groups Chapter 7
AP US Government & Politics
Mr. Kolesar

2. What is a(n)…
Interest Group – An organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers.
Lobbyist – An organization or individual who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government

3. A Natural Phenomenon
Ease of access – “multiple cracks” – protected by the Constitution
Protects minority views against the formation of an oppressive majority interest.
Over 100K associations in the US
> 2/3rd’s of Americans belong to at least 1 group or association (not necessarily an interest group)
Good or bad?

4. Interest Groups & Social Movements
Social Movement – A movement that represents the demands of a large segment of the public for political, economic, or social change.
Social movements often generate interest groups through their specific goals
Examples – Women’s suffrage, Civil Rights (1960’s),

5. Why so many?
Right to join – 1st Amendment (“peaceably to assemble”, and “to petition the government for a redress of grievances”)
Individual opinions are collectively more powerful
Federal system provides many opportunities for interest group activity

6. Why Join?
Solidary Incentives – A reason or motive having to do with the desire to associate with others and to share with others a particular interest or hobby.
Incentive might be solidary for members, but the organizations pursue active political agendas on behalf of the interest.

7. Why Join? (cont’d)
Material Incentives – A reason or motive having to do with economic benefits or opportunities
Direct benefits to members Ex. - AARP – discounted insurance, travel
Indirect benefits by lobbying the gov’t on economic issues related to the interest of the group

8. Why Join? (cont’d)
Purposive Incentives – A reason for supporting or participating in the activities of a group that is based on agreement with the goals of the group.
Political, economic, or social
Examples – Abortion, gun control, environmental issues

9. Types of Interest Groups Economic – more economic than any other set of interests
Business – work to influence government policies that affect their respective industries.
Usually related to government regulation and/or taxation issues.
Ex. US Chamber of Commerce

10. Types of Interest Groups Economic continued
Agricultural – despite being less than 2% of the population, they have a significant influence on legislation.
Issues they are concerned with are immigration, international trade, subsidies, conservation.
Example – American farm Bureau Federation

11. Types of Interest Groups Economic continued
Labor – usually union labor.
Membership has declined over the years, but lobbying efforts are more sustained and targeted than business interests.
Usually target Democratic candidates.
Example - NEA

12. Types of Interest Groups Economic continued
Interest Groups of Professionals
Examples
Lawyers – ABA
Doctors - AMA

13. Types of Interest Groups
Environmental – Groups with a wide array of interests that revolve around protection/preservation of the environment.
Examples
Audubon Society
Sierra Club
National Wildlife Federation

14. Types of Interest Groups
Public Interest Groups – Focus on the best interests of the overall community; the national good, rather than the narrow interests of a particular group.
MoveOn.org
Common Cause
Any group/issue headed by Ralph Nader

15. Types of Interest Groups
Other Interest Groups – “single-issue” groups.
Narrow focus where members care intensely about the issue.
Examples
Right to Life Organization
National Rifle Association
Emily’s List

16. Types of Interest Groups
Foreign Governments
Private foreign interests - Usually lobby on issues that affect foreign trade
Usually hire former US Reps and/or Senators to represent them in Washington

17. What Makes an Interest Group Powerful?
Size & Resources
Large memberships = “voters in every district” = a great deal of weight with gov’t officials
Larger the membership usually = a greater budget and strong financial base
Funds lobbyists, TV ads, mailings website…

18. What Makes an Interest Group Powerful?
Leadership
Strong leaders develop effective strategies
Leaders can gain access to power.
Leaders can portray a certain image of the organization.

19. What Makes an Interest Group Powerful?
Cohesiveness
Motivation of the members is a key element of how strong the group is.
Usually = more motivated to act, be vocal, write letters, donate more $$, etc..

20. Interest Group Strategies
Keys
Access to government officials
Cultivation of long-term relationships
Provide gov’t officials with trusted and reliable sources of information

21. Interest Group Strategies Direct Techniques
Lobbying
Most lobbyists are professionals
Work as consultants to companies, interest groups, or directly for a firm in DC. K Street
The number of lobbyists in DC has more than doubled since 2000

22. Interest Group Strategies Direct Techniques
Activities of Lobbyists
Engaging in private meetings with public officials.
Provide accurate, reliable information to the officials
Testifying before Congress or executive policy-making agencies
Assisting legislators or bureaucrats in drafting legislation/regulations
Socializing with policy makers
Supplying nominations for federal appointments to the executive branch.

23. Interest Group Strategies Direct Techniques
Ratings – Each year, Interest groups score legislators on how they vote on legislation favorable to their group.
Used to inform citizens of voting behaviors of members of Congress.
Positive or Negative

24. Interest Group Strategies Direct Techniques
Building Alliances
Interest groups form coalitions with other groups concerned about the same issues/legislation.
Share expenses and multiply the influence of their groups.
Also helps avoid duplication of efforts.

25. Interest Group Strategies Direct Techniques
Campaign Assistance
Help candidates with election activities.
Provide workers
Precinct workers
Canvassers
Phone bank staff
Endorsement of candidates
Campaign contributions

26. Interest Group Strategies Indirect Techniques
Generating Public Pressure
Advertising with TV, newspapers, national magazines, the Internet
Commission polls and publicize results that support their position.
Climate Control – The use of public relations techniques to create favorable public opinion toward an interest group, industry, or corporation.

27. Campaign Contributions
Why use this method?
Financial resources
Groups that need access
Narrow or focused issue
Buy candidate loyalty/support

28. Litigation Why use this method?
Lack broad popular support (numbers or public opinion) and/or lack influence over legislation/policy
Rights issues involved
Success establishes firm precedent

29. Interest Group Strategies Indirect Techniques
Using Constituents as lobbyists
Mobilization to write, phone, , public officials
Provide postcards to members to fill out and mail.

30. Interest Group Strategies Indirect Techniques
Unconventional Means
Marches, rallies, demonstrations, etc..
Fear of demonstrations turning “bad” could create negative public perceptions.
Boycotts

31. Grassroots Lobbying Why use this method?
Popular support but lack funds
Popular support is strength
Requires less other resources ($$, access)
Democratic concerns (philosophical approach)

32. Regulating Interest Groups
Interest group activity is protected by the 1st Amendment
1946 – Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act
Register w/ Congress
File quarterly financials
Had no real effect on activities

33. Regulating Interest Groups
1995 – tightened the law by broadening the definition of a lobbyist and covered people who lobby the executive branch and staff of Congress.
No new enforcement agency was created

34. Regulating Interest Groups
Nonprofit organizations need not pay federal income taxes.
$ contributions can be deducted by the donor if:
The group does not devote a “substantial part” of its activities to “attempting to influence legislation”
Serious lobbying = loss of tax-exempt status

35. Regulating Interest Groups
New Gift & travel Rules
House banned gifts
Senate limited gifts to $50 in value & no more than $100 in a year from a single source.
All-expense paid trips banned, golf outings, etc..
Of course, exceptions apply

36. The Revolving Door
Each year hundreds of government employees leave to take jobs privately.
Issue? Did they do any favors for these firms before they left gov’t in return for that job?
What about the Gov’t contacts they still maintain?

37. Issue Networks
Issue Network – a group of individuals or organizations which may consists of legislators and legislative staff members, interest group leaders, bureaucrats, the media, scholars, and other experts that support a particular policy position on a given issue.

38. Iron Triangles
Iron Triangle - The three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests.