1. Chapter 6
Interest Groups

2. Interest Groups defined
An interest group is a collection of people who share some common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends.

3. Framers’ Attitude Why were framers concerned about “factions?”
What did Madison say was the “check” on factions?
Federalist No. 10.
How does the Constitution protect interest groups?

4. Good or Bad?
Interest groups sometimes called “special interests”, are often referred to in a negative way.
Implication that interest groups warp the system.
True?
Interest Group Pluralism

5. Types of Interest Groups
Interest groups can be categorized into several broad types
Economic, including both business and labor
Ideological or single-issue
Public interest
Foreign policy
Government itself

6. Economic Interest Groups
Interest groups that are formed to promote some economic interest.
Formed by industries and labor groups.
Some formed by businesses themselves; means to influence politics and public policy.
Trade and other associations

7. Labor Interest Groups Grange and Populist Party Labor Unions AFL-CIO
Decline in Labor Membership
Power of Unions

8. Professional Associations
Organizations of professional people.
AMA, ABA, teacher’s unions.
Strong interest in legislation. Why?
One of the largest donors (through PACs) to political campaigns.

9. Ideological and Single-Issue Interest Groups
Single-issue groups put all their energies into a single core issue.
Right to Life, NRA
Single issue groups tend to be very motivated and very dogmatic

10. Ideological and Single-Issue Interest Groups
Ideological groups are driven by multiple issues that coalesce around a particular topic.
Notable examples:
ACLU, Sierra Club, Christian Coalition.

11. Public Interest Groups
Many arose out of the activism of the 1960s.
Purport to act in the public interest.
Common Cause--ensure electoral reform
Ralph Nadar’s Public Interest Research Groups investigate corporate abuse.
Often are ideological, as well, with a very clear political point of view.

12. Foreign Policy Interest Groups
Groups formed to influence American foreign policy.
America-Israel Political Action Committee is one of the biggest. Lobbies for support of Israel.
Counterpart is National Association of Arab Americans.

13. Government Interest Groups
Governments below the federal level and Governmental employees lobby the federal government.
National Governors Association
National League of Cities
National Association of Counties.

14. Characteristics and Power of Interest Groups
Potential impact of an interest group depends on
Size
Breadth, reasons for membership, passion, competition
resources
cohesiveness
leadership
techniques

15. Techniques used by Interest Groups
Publicity and Mass Media Appeals
Mass Mailing
Influence on Rule Making
Litigation
Election Activities
Cooperative Lobbying

16. Lobbying and Lobbyists

17. What do lobbyists do? Provide information for decision makers
Help educate and mobilize public opinion
Help prepare legislation and write many bills introduced in Congress
Testify before legislative hearings
Contribute funds to campaigns

18. Lobbyists Lobbyists defined. Background and training. Revolving Door
Iron Triangles.
Interest groups
Staffers (and sometimes Congressmen) on congressional subcommittees
Mid to high-level employees of executive agencies.

19. Role of Lobbyists Influence lawmakers Provide Money
Represent the people
Provide Information
Political
That represents their agenda

20. Political Action Committees (PACs)

21. Political Action Committees (PACs)
PACs are the political arm on an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds
PACs are the primary means by which interest groups seek to influence which legislators are elected and how they vote once they take office.

22. The Growth of PACs
PACs were invented in the 1930s by labor organizations
PACs exploded in the 1970s going from about 150 to over 4000.

23.  PACs That Gave the Most to Federal Candidates, 2000–2004 (millions of dollars)

24. How PACs invest their money
PACs tend to spend their money in ways that are most likely to benefit their interests. Thus, candidates most likely to get money from PACs are
Members of committees dealing with subject mater important to PAC
Party leaders
Friendly lawmakers in tough elections
Incumbents over challengers because incumbents are more likely to win (which helps this be a self-fulfilling prophesy)

25. Spending limits
PACs can only give 10K per candidate, but no limit on the total they can give.
Raising money from PACs is more efficient than raising from individuals because PACs are more likely to give the max.
PACs can also help candidates by hosting fund-raising events to get individuals to donate and by bundling donations from other individual donors

27. Other Modes of Electioneering
Issue ads:
Independent Expenditures:
527 Organizations:
501 (c) organizations