Interest Groups: The Politics of Influence

1. Interest Groups: The Politics of Influence Chapter 9

2. Core Questions • What are interest groups and where do they commonly begin? • What are the various types of interest groups? • What factors strengthen or weaken the effectiveness of interest groups? • What influence do lobbyists have? • What are PACs and how do they influence political outcomes?

3. 6. What techniques are frequently used by interest groups? 7. How democratic are interest groups? 8. What efforts have been made to regulate interest groups? 9. What are some of the current issues surrounding interest groups?

4. Chapter 9 Outline A. Introduction to interest groups: the present and past compared B. Types of interest groups C. Characteristics and power of interest groups

5. D. The influence of lobbyists E. Money and politics F. The reform of interest groups

6. Union Membership Compared

7. Leading PACs 1996-2000

8. Some Environmental Groupsand How They Do Business

9. The Big Givers 1999-2000

10. Union Membership

11. Faction A term used by James Madison and other founders of this country to refer to political parties as well as what we now call special interests or interest groups.

12. Interest Group A collection of people who share some common interest or attitude and seek common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends. Interest groups usually work within the framework of government and employ tactics such as lobbying to achieve their goals.

13. Movement A large body of people interested in a common issue, idea, or concern that is of continuing significance and who are willing to take action on that issue. Movements seek to change attitudes or institutions, not only policies.

14. Open Shop A company with a labor agreement whereby union membership cannot be required as a condition of employment.

15. Closed Shop A company with a labor agreement whereby union membership is a condition of employment.

16. Free Rider An individual who does not join an interest group representing his or her interests, yet receives the benefit of the influence the group achieves.

17. Federal Register The official document, published every weekday, lists new and proposed regulations of executive departments and regulatory agencies.

18. Amicus Curiae Brief Literally, “friend of the court” brief, this document is filed by and individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented b y the immediate parties to the case.

19. Lobbying Activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact.

20. Lobbyist A person who is employed by and acts for and organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.

21. Revolving Door The employment cycle in which individuals work, in turn, for governmental agencies regulating interests and then for the interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.

22. Iron Triangle A mutually supporting relationship among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and government agencies that share a common policy concern.

23. Political Action Committee (PAC) The political arm of an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds on a voluntary basis from members, stockholders, or employees in order to contribute funds to favored candidates or political parties.

24. Bundling A tactic of political action committees whereby they collect contributions from like-minded individuals (each limited to $2,000) and present them to a candidate or political party as a “bundle”, thus increasing their influence.