Chapter 12 Interest Groups AP Government
Interest Groups An organized group of individuals or organizations that makes policy-related appeals to government is called an interest group.
Why Interest Groups Form? Interest groups form To increase the chance that their views will be heard To influence government To represent interests and encourage political participation.
Types of Interest Groups Economic Public Government or Public Sector Religious Civil Rights Ideological Single Issue
Some interest groups organize because they have a direct economic interest in government policies. Examples of such economic interest groups include: American Public Power Association U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Association of Manufacturers American Farm Bureau Federation
Organized labor organizations are important economic interest groups in Washington politics too. Examples include: AFL-CIO The International Brotherhood of Teamsters SEIU (Service Employees International Union)
Professional associations also try to influence the government: American Medical Association American Bar Association
Some groups, like public interest groups and ideological groups, become active not out of direct economic interest but for some broader purpose. Public-sector groups like the National League of Cities, think tanks, and universities also lobby the government.
Federalist 10 and Pluralism
Interest Group Pluralism By a faction I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community. James Madison, Federalist 10 James Madison s Federalist 10 provides a basis for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of interest group politics in the United States.
Federlist 10 James Madison Because the latent causes of faction are sown in the nature of man, Madison argued that institutional arrangement must be erected to control the effects of factional politics. Madison believed: Balancing the conflicting interests of different factions was the most reliable way to control the negative effects of factional politics. Increasing the number and variety of factions actually aided the pursuit of the public good. Less likely to dominate political process is large with diverse interests.
Following Madison, mid-20th century pluralists argued that interest group politics was a major strength of American government and society. Pluralism is the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government. The outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation.
Pluralist Theory Interest groups are important to democracy Allow people to organize to change policies. Hundreds of interest groups compete for influence No one group will dominate others. Groups put up a fair fight No illegal activities to surpass other groups. Groups are equal in power Each have different resources to their disposal.
Pluralists argued that Interest Groups Represent many diverse interests in society Provide expert information and perspectives that improve policy making.
Critics of pluralism argued that interest groups Represent special interests do not reflect the broader will of the people or the public good Over represent the wealthy in society Provide self-serving and biased information that warp policy making.
Elite Theory Hundreds of interest groups Only a select few have any real power. Interests of only a handful of elites, usually business people, are almost always favored over other interests. Policy battles won by smaller interests are usually minor. Power mostly with large multinational corporations. System of elite control Maintained by a well-established structure of interlocking policy players.
Hyper Pluralist Theory Interest group liberalism: Sub Governments, or iron triangles, form around a specific policy areas. These are composed of an interest group a federal agency any legislative committees or subcommittees that handle the policy area.
Hyper Pluralist Theory By avoiding having to choose between policy initiatives, government creates conflicting policies that waste time and money. Groups have too much political influence they usually get what they want. Competing sub governments (iron triangles) only add to the confusing regulations.
Pluralists and their critics are united in their belief that interest groups are Plentiful Powerful Influential in American politics.
Explosion in Interest Groups Civil rights and Anti- Vietnam War movements activists Form their own interest groups called the new politics movement. Groups include Common Cause, Sierra Club, and NOW 1970s and 1980s Technological factor contributing to the rise and success of new interest groups was computerized direct-mail campaigns.
Logic of Collective Action
The Logic of Collective Action, Mancur Olson argued about collective action Incentives exist for individuals to shirk their responsibilities. Individuals have incentives to free ride and let others invest time, energy, and money to getting policies passed. Solution to Collective Action problem provide benefits
The Logic of Collective Action Enhancing Democracy Evils of factional politics Interest groups (however problematic) are a fixture of American politics.
Collective Action Principle Mancur Olson - Collective action most successful among wealthy business owners. Small group of privileged individuals. Lower class groups depend on political parties
Selective Benefits
Types of Selective Benefits Interest groups give individuals incentives to join the group through the provision of selective benefits. informational benefits material benefits solidary benefits purposive benefits
Types of Selective Benefits Informational benefits Most widespread information offered by conferences, training programs, newsletters to dues paying members. Educational benefits. Material benefits Economic Groups Measured monetarily like special services, money Solidary benefits Friendship and networking opportunities. Purposive benefits Appeal of purpose of interest group. Christian Right is an example.
The Institution Principle: Institutions routinely solve collective action problems. Institutional arrangements provide for a division of labor, rules regarding decision making, and checks on the powers of political actors and institutions. These routines and structured relationships enable cooperation that alleviate impediments to collective action. The obstacles to overcoming the collective action problem are not insurmountable. By building a strong organization, interest groups can offer individuals powerful incentives to join groups and contribute to the collective good.
Influence of Interest Groups
Interest Group Influence Interest groups seek to Influence the creation and implementation of policy in the legislative and executive branches Influence the interpretation of policy in the courts Shape public opinion regarding policy Influence the outcomes of elections.
Strategies of Influence Contemporary interest groups seek influence over policy makers through a mix of inside strategies and outside strategies. Inside strategies include: lobbying influencing administrative rule-making litigation Outside strategies include: influencing election outcomes affecting media coverage
Interest Groups Going Public Grassroots lobbying campaigns played an important role in battles over presidential appointments to the Supreme Court.
Regulation of Interest Groups
Direct Lobbying Lobbying attempt by a group to influence the policy process through persuasion of government officials.
Lobbying Legislation 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act defines lobbyist 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act requires all organizations employing lobbyists to register in Congress. Disclose whom they represent what they are lobbying for how much they are paid.
Electoral Politics Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (1974) Limits campaign contributions and requires that each candidate or campaign committee provide Name, address, occupation, principal business for each person donating at least $100 A political action committee is a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns.
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act Passed in 2002 (BCRA) Eliminated unrestricted soft-money donations 527 committees Named after tax code run by former party officials Allowed to engage in political spending as are issue advocacy groups.
PAC PAC Contributors to Federal Candidates, Top 10 (2007-08) Operating Engineers Union International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers American Bankers Association Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union AT&T National Beer Wholesalers Association Laborers' Union AFSCME Credit Union National Association American Association for Justice 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 Millions of Dollars Source: Center for Responsive Politics, Top PACs (http://www.crp.org/pacs/topacs.asp). Based on incomplete 2007-2008 election cycle including moneys reported to Federal Election Commission as of October 29, 2007.
When interest groups are able to place their representative directly on congressional staffs, these individuals are seen as stealth lobbyists. Interest groups lobby legislators in efforts to shape policy as it is being made. Interest groups also seek to cultivate access to officials in the executive branch to influence administrative rule making and the details of policy implementation.
Interest Group Actions
Interest Groups Most interest groups try to maintain good relations with both political parties. Microsofted demonized by the public and Congress. Need extensive lobbying efforts. Exerting influence on Congress requires the interest groups to constantly cultivate easy and constant access to decision makers.
Interest groups hire lawyers to influence the judiciary. Sometimes groups are litigants in lawsuits. Often groups submit amicus curiae briefs giving their perspectives on cases to which they are not a party.
Interest groups seek to influence public opinion by Developing media strategies and advertising (known as going public) Mobilizing citizens at the grass roots. (Mass Mobilization)
Phony grassroots mail campaigns from people are used to try and influence Congressmen on a particular issue is known as Astroturf lobbying. Grassroots Lobbying
Initiatives A process by which citizens may petition to place a policy proposal on the ballot for public vote. First promoted by Populist in the late nineteenth century. Most initiatives today are sponsored by interest groups to circumvent legislative opposition.