1. Chapter 6 – Interest Groups

2. Learning Objectives
6.1 Explain the theories that describe the role of interest groups in Texas
6.2 Assess the incentives for individuals to join interest groups
6.3 Identify the types of interest groups in Texas
6.4 Describe the types of activities interest groups engage in to pursue their agendas
6.5 Explain what lobbying is and how lobbyists serve the interests of those involved
6.6 Illustrate the role of scandals in shaping interest group politics and reform efforts
6.7 Outline the ways the state oversees the interactions of interest groups and state officials

3. Interest Groups in the Political Process
Interest Groups: any formal organization of individuals or groups that seek to influence government to promote their common cause

4. Interest Groups in the Political Process
Pluralist Theory
Competition keeps powerful interest groups in check
No single group dominates
Elite Theory
Groups that have greater resources are in a better position to accomplish their goals
Transactional Theory
Public policy is bought and sold like a commodity to the highest bidder
Which Theory Fits Texas?
All three depending on circumstances

5. Why Join Interest Groups
Private Interest Group
Advocate for the benefit of their members
Public Interest Group
Benefit the public in general
Free Rider Problem
People receive benefits without paying the cost
Selective Benefits
Material benefits
Tangible rewards
Solidary benefits
Intangible rewards
Social status or social interactions
Purposive benefits
Satisfaction of working with a group

6. Types of Interest Groups
Business Groups
Trade Associations and Professional Organizations
Labor Unions
Identity Groups
Public Interest Groups
Single-Issue Groups
Government Interests

7. What Interest Groups Do
Education
Citizen Campaigns
Grassroots lobbying: getting members of the general public who are interested in an issue to contact elected officials to persuade them on an issue
AstroTurf lobbying: involves manufacturing public support and making it appear as though it was inspired organically by a swell of public opinion
Electioneering
Lobbying the courts, the legislature, and the executive branch

8. Lobbying: The Third House
Direct communications with members of the legislative or executive branch of government
Influence legislation or administrative action
The Role of Lobbyists
What Lobbyists Do
Shape Legislation
Testify at Hearings
Educate Members
Comment on Rulemaking
Build Coalitions
Monitor Programs

9. Lobbying: The Third House
Iron Triangles in Texas
Relationship between interest groups, the legislature, and executive agency regulators in the policy formation and implementation process
Issue Network: Single issue iron triangle
Revolving Door: Agency bureaucrats and legislators leave their jobs to become lobbyists
Agency Capture: Government agencies controlled by the industries that the agency was designed to regulate

10. Scandals and Reforms Sharpstown Scandal 1991 Reforms
Establishment of Texas Ethics Commission
Ethics Legislation

11. Oversight of Interest Groups
Texas Ethics Commission
Recusal
Decide not to participate in legislative activity as an elected official
Disclosure
Filing of a report that includes details about lawmakers’ personal finances or business dealings

12. Texas Takeaways
Interest groups attempt to influence government for benefit of their members through legislation, rules, or actions that are aligned with their cause
In a pluralist theory, powerful groups are kept in check and no single group dominates. In elite theory, powerful groups with greater resources have more influence.
Transactional theory proposes that public policy is bought and sold like a commodity to the highest bidder
Free riders are people who obtain the benefits without paying the cost. Individuals who do not join groups still receive the benefits of groups that work for a collective good.

13. Texas Takeaways
Selective benefits, such as material, solidarity, purposive benefits, encourage people to join interest groups.
Trade associations serve the interests of a specific industry.
Single interest groups are dedicated to addressing one specific issue, usually an ideological issue.
Public interest groups focus on providing quality collective goods, while government interest groups attempt to impact other local and state governments or the federal government.

14. Texas Takeaways
AstroTurfing is advocacy that appears as though it originated from the bottom up, but in reality masks corporate interests.
Electioneering involves advertising for or against issues or candidates (radio, mail, Internet, or television), granting endorsements, and raising funds.
According to Texas law, lobbying consists of “direct communications” with members of the legislative or executive branch of government to influence legislation or administrative action.

15. Texas Takeaways
Lobbyists shape legislation by testifying at hearings, educating members of the legislature, commenting on rule making, building coalitions for or against policies, monitoring enacted programs, and engaging in working with agencies.
A revolving door allows individuals to move between an agency and industry, leading to an agency being “controlled” by an industry.
Lawmakers dislike changing the rules of the game during the game.
The Texas Ethics Commission regulates and enforces laws related to interest group lobbying and campaign disclosure.
Disclosure is the filing of a report that includes details about lawmakers’ personal finances or business dealings.