1. Types of Interest Groups
Linkage Institutions

2. What different types of interest groups are there?
Linkage Institutions
Interest Groups
What different types of interest groups are there?

3. Potential Groups / Actual Groups
Interest Groups

4. Interest Groups Potential Potential Group
Every person is a part of hundreds of “potential groups”
All people who could possibly benefit from the work of the interest group make up the potential group
100
All people who share a common interest with the interest group
All of these people are not in
the interest group

5. Interest Groups Actual Actual Group
Members of the potential group who actually join the interest group make up the actual group
100
They “join” the group in some way, by registering, or paying dues, or acting on behalf of the group
Groups want to attract people from the potential group to join the actual group

6. Interest Groups Free Rider Free Riders
People who get benefits that the group worked for without participating in the work of the group
These are members of the potential group that are not in the actual group
100
These people may not even know they are free riding
They might not see any reason to join the group if they are getting the benefits
The bigger the potential group is, the bigger the free rider problem
the group will have

7. Big & Small
Interest Groups

8. Interest Groups Size Big Group Problem
Big groups are going to have a bigger problem with free riders.
They are going to have a hard time mobilizing all of their members to act,
or to coordinate their actions
in the same way
They are more visible – which makes them have a harder time with PR since people tend to have negative attitudes toward interest groups

9. Free riders are more likely in the larger groups
Interest Groups
Size
Free Riders
Free riders are more likely in the larger groups
When groups pursue benefits that cannot be kept away from everyone in the potential group, there’s not much reason for people to join the group

10. The group wants to minimize the free rider problem
Interest Groups
Size
Selective Benefits
The group wants to minimize the free rider problem
They have to create benefits that they can restrict to only their group members
This creates some incentive for members of the potential group to join the actual group.
If it is the reason even 1 person joins the interest group, they have reduced the free rider problem.

11. So… small groups will have less of a free rider problem
Interest Groups
Size
Small Group
If there’s a small potential group, whatever benefits the group fights for will be split among less individuals
That means potentially more benefits for each member of the group, creating more incentive to join the group
So… small groups will have less of a free rider problem

12. Also have an easier time mobilizing all their members.
Interest Groups
Size
Small Group
Also have an easier time mobilizing all their members.
They will be able to better coordinate the activities of their group members
They are less likely to be visible, so they benefit – because people don’t notice, not because people like them better

13. Interest Groups Size Specific Interests
The more specific the interest that the group pursues, the more likely the group is going to have success
influencing policy
They can pursue VERY SPECIFIC goals that an average person could not possibly pay attention to.
Because the influence they have seems “invisible” they will not be held back by negative reactions from the public.

14. Types of Interest Groups

15. Interest Groups Categories Policy Groups
Groups that advocate for a specific policy goal
This is what people think about when they think about interest groups
They have specific policies in mind and they try to persuade lawmakers to pass them or change existing laws

16. Interest Groups Categories Policy Groups
NRA - National Rifle Association - advocate for gun rights.
PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – advocate for animal rights
ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union – fight to protect people’s rights found in the Bill of Rights
National Right to Life Committee – advocate to end abortions
in the United States

17. Interest Groups Categories Group Groups
Groups that advocate for a specific demographic group
They try to protect the interests of a specific group of people
Their goals are more broad than a policy group – but they maintain focus on all things that impact their group
These groups are very susceptible
to the free rider problem

18. Interest Groups Categories Group Groups
NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – protect the interest of racial minorities
AARP – American Association of Retired Persons – protect the interests of
old people
NOW – National Organization for Women – protect the interests of women
Christian Coalition– fight to protect the interests of Christians

19. Interest Groups Categories Professional Groups
Groups that represent a professionals with the same career
They try to protect the interests of that particular career
These groups will have smaller potential groups and may have an easier time getting its members on the same page.

20. ABA – American Bar Association – represents the interests of lawyers
Interest Groups
Categories
Professional Groups
AMA – American Medical Association – represents the interests of doctors
ABA – American Bar Association – represents the interests of lawyers
NEA – National Education Association – represents the interests of teachers.
US Chamber of Commerce – represents the interests of “business” meaning business owners

21. Interest Groups Categories Workers’ Groups
Groups that represent the interests of “workers” as opposed to business owners
Most of these would just be “labor unions”
In general they fight for better wages and working conditions for workers
May be very active on very small scales like individual workplaces
Have traditionally aligned themselves with the Democratic Party

22. Interest Groups Categories Workers’ Groups
Groups that represent the interests of “workers” as opposed to business owners
Most of these would just be “labor unions”
In general they fight for better wages and working conditions for workers
May be very active on very small scales like individual workplaces
Have traditionally aligned themselves with the Democratic Party

23. Interest Groups Categories Workers’ Groups
AFL-CIO - the largest national labor union
Teamsters – large industrial labor union

24. Bigly Ideas
Beliefs & Behaviors

25. History Wrap Up Free Rider Problem Big Group Problem Types of Groups
Examples
Focus on these things: