G-10: Interest Groups

1. G-10: Interest Groups

2. Chapter 10- Interest Groups • (1). Define what an Interest Group is, and contrast its functions with political parties. • (2). Examine the role, characteristics, growth, and diverse types of Interest Groups. • (3). Explain how Interest Groups are formed and maintained, and discuss the obstacles. • (4). Examine the strategiesof Interest Groups and Political Action Committees (PACs). • (5). Discuss the role and function of lobbyists & examine the various types of lobbying. • (6). Examine the role of Interest Groups in litigation, and define amicus curiae. • (7). Analyze influence of Interest Groups, and contrast external & internal factors. • (8). Assess the overall positive & negative impact of Int. Groups on the political process. • (9). Prepare for Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-10).

3. Defining Interest Groups Interest Groups An organized group of people who share certain goals and try to influence ?___________. How is it different from a Political Party?*

4. Interest Groups versus Political Party • Purpose & priorities of Political Party? ?_____ Elections & win _____________ Purpose & priorities of Interest Group? Influence ?_____________ on an issue of particular Interest to the group

5. Five Main Functions* of Interest Groups? ?__________ ?___________ ?__________ ?___________ ?__________

6. Role & Functions of Interest Groups • Five main functions of Interest Groups: • 1. ?__________________ – stand for interest of members • 2. ?__________________– enable people to participate • Government and Politics • 3. ?______________ – members, public, & government officials • About issues of interest & why IG goals should be supported • 4. ?_________________-push new issues onto public agenda • Examples: Consumer protection & Veterans issues • 5. ?___________________-watch how laws are administered • Assess Federal or State Government regulation

7. The Growth of Interest Groups • History & evolution of “factions” • De Tocqueville’s observations “forming associations” • Anti-slavery association of 1833 • The Grange of 1860s (anti-Railroad monopolies) • National Woman Suffrage Association of 1869 • Significant Interest Group(IG) growth since 1942: • From 600 IGs in 1942 to => 7000+ in 1995 Why the growth of Interest Groups?

8. Increased Demands on Government • More demands of public placed on Government: • Civil Rights & Anti-Vietnam War Legacies • Improvements & advances in technology • Rise of new issues almost every day What are the different types of Interest Groups?

9. Diversity of Organized Interests • Three general categories of Interest Groups: • 1. ?___________________ Interest Groups • 2. ?___________________ Interest Groups • 3. ?___________________ Interest Groups • Examine each in greater detail=>

10. Economic Interest Groups Four types: Business Groups Organized Labor Agricultural Groups Professional Associations

11. 1. Economic Interest Groups • 1.Business- (Chamber of Commerce, NAM) • Trade Associations (Alliance of Automobile Man.) • 2.Organized Labor– (AFL-CIO, Amer. Fed. Of Teachers) • 3.Agricultural Groups- • (American Farm Bureau-large farms) • (National Farmer’s Union – smaller farms) • Specific commodities – (corn, hog, etc.) • 4.Professional Associations- • (AMA, ABA, American Optometrists Association) • Also for advancement of women & minorities: • American Association for University Women • National Association for Black Accountants

12. 2. Citizen Groups Interest groups, also known as public interest groups, dedicated to promoting a ?___________of public policy rather than the economic interests of their members. • Citizen Groups- promote the Group’s vision of public good: • American Civil Liberties Union & NRA • Single issue groups (NAACP, Greenpeace, NOW)

13. 3. Government Interest Groups Interest Groups representing: State Governments Foreign Governments Local Governments

14. Coalitions and Divisions • Groups of similar interests often join in coalitions • The Military Coalition => military & VA benefits • Environmental & Nature Conservation groups • Groups might also divide or realign on various issues that they agree or disagree on: • Politics & strange bedfellows: • NAFTA issue: role of Cross-cutting cleavages • Divided & realigned Environmental Interest Groups • Allied with business who either supported or opposed it

15. Interest Group Formation & Maintenance • Reasons why interest groups form? • ?_______________________ Theory=> • Usually in response to Government policy • Threat to the status quo – The Cat Mother response • IGs form mostly in response to some government policy: • Policies affecting or potentially affecting members’ interests • Most are directly related to politics => influence gov. policy • Also some IGs formed for reasons unrelated to politics • Whose interest is usually represented?* • Rich & powerful - why? ?____________-$$$ status=> political activism

16. Obstacles of Interest Group Formation A dilemma created when people can obtain the benefits of interest group activity without paying ?__________ associated with it. (In this situation, the interest group may not form because everyone has an incentive to let someone else pay the ?______________ of group formation.) The Collective Goods Dilemma? People who benefit withoutpaying are called?*

17. ?_________ __________ People or groups who benefit from the efforts of others without bearing any of the costs. So how are such obstacles to IG formation overcome?

18. Overcoming Obstacles to Interest Group Formation • Political entrepreneurs • Cat Mother (local) vs. Ralph Nader (National) • Government or wealthy sponsor funds IG • Or – IGs attract & motivate prospective members • How are new members potentially attracted? • New members are offered what? • ? ____________ benefits (vs. Collective benefits) • What are the three types of Selective benefits?*

19. 3SelectiveBenefits of Interest Groups ?________* (stuff) ?________* (identity) ?________* (purpose)

20. Material The actual goods and services that come from belonging to an interest group. capsdecals, magazines,cards, discounts, etc. Examples?

21. Solidarity The emotional and psychological enjoyment that comes from belonging to an interest group whose members share common interests and goals.

22. Expressive The feelings of satisfaction people derive from working for an interest group cause they believe is just and right. Also known as purposive benefits.

23. Material Solidarity Expressive ?_________ Benefits: Any benefit given to a member of a group, but denied to nonmembers Comprise?

24. Interest Group (IG) Maintenance • IG Maintenance can be difficult • How can this difficulty be overcome? • Retain members by upgrading selective benefits • Add or modify benefits (bigger & better & more) • Increase or decrease reliance on patrons • Redefine group’s mission=> • Example: March of Dimes • From Polio of 1950s to heart disease, cancer, & birth defects today

25. Interest Group Bias • Affluent & better educated over • Poor and less educated- Why? • The higher the socioeconomic status • Themore likely to ?_____________________________ • Some exceptions – Cesar Chavez led protests against: • Wealthier California grape growers during ’70s • Chavez was soon joined by young idealistic activists • Still raises questions about=> • Democracy & political influence in America • Of the few elite over many non politically involved • (Who are usually less affluent than the influential elite)

26. Interest Group Strategies • Four major IGStrategies: • 1. P________A_______ C___________(PACs) • 2. ?_______________ the Government • 3. ?__________________ Public Opinion • 4. ?_____________________ Let’s examine each strategy in greater detail=>

27. IG Strategy #1:Political Action Committees (PACs) • Organizations that solicit contributions from members of interest groups & channel those contributions to election campaigns • (Usually for those candidates supporting policies favorable to members of the Interest Group- though not always) • Various categories of PACs grew at different rates • Corporate (most growth) • Non-connected • Trade, Membership, & Health • Labor (in decline) • Other PACs (Table 10-1 examples)

28. Growth in Political Action Committees (PACs) • PAC spending has also changed wrt the Political climate • Examine changes in following charts and tables*

29. PAC Spending 2003-2004

30. Changes in PAC Contributions to Congress- Recent Comparison Will change yet again based on 2006 midterms

31. IG Strategy #2:Lobbying the Government Lobbying?: Trying to ?___________ governmental decisions, especially the voting decisions legislators make on proposed legislation.

32. Lobbying the Government (#2) • lobbying & lobbyists, & direct lobbying • Targeted attempts to influence policy • Through personal contact of government officials • Plead clients case directly to official • Credible information • The key to effectively lobbying • Usually lobby officials of similar views • Support draft legislation & research • Lobbyists know how government process works • Many are former Executive appointees or Congressmen • Problem: potential conflict of interest What are the different ways to lobby?

33. Types of Lobbying ?_________ Lobbying ?_______ Lobbying* ?__________ Campaigns ?__________ Advertising

34. ?_________ Lobbying Trying to influence public policy through direct contact with government officials.

35. IG Strategy #3: Mobilize Public Opinion Various methods used to mobilize Public Opinion: • Education Campaigns* => • Key tool for education of Public: advocacy advertising • Educate public by publishing research studies • Normally supporting Interest Group’s policy positions • Grass-Roots Lobbying* – very effective with Congress • Petition drives (Which Amendment Right?) • Letters, phone calls, or e-mail to Congress orAdministration • Effective way to get elected officials attention • Also effective: Marches & demonstrations • Finally: Get out the vote drives

36. ?_________ Campaigns Interest groups try to mobilize the public through education hoping that the public will demand government action.

37. ?__________ Advertising Newspaper, television, and radio advertisements that promote an interest group's political views.

38. ?______-______ Lobbying Trying to influence public policy indirectly by mobilizing an interest group's membership and the broader public to contact elected officials.

39. Other Types of Public Mobilization Astroturf Lobbying* Civil Disobedience* &

40. Astroturf Lobbying Efforts, usually led by interest groups (or Corporations)with deepfinancial pockets, to create synthetic grass-roots movementsby aggressively encouraging voters to__________________________ ___________________________________________. (Example: Drug, Tobacco & Insurance Corporations)

41. Civil Disobedience Civil disobedience is the practice ofbreaking lawsin order topressure legislatorsto change perceived ?___________ laws.

42. IG Strategy #4: Litigating • When you lose with the Congress => then what? • You can always ?_______________ • Last action in a continuing cycle – • Examples: • 1950s De Jure Segregation- • NAACP sued State & Local Governments • Clean Air Act & Endangered Species Act • Campaign Reform • Amicus Curiae brief? • Literally: “Friend of the ?_________” supporting brief

43. Interest Group Influence • Two factors determining degree of IG influence? • Ex?_____________ & In?___________ Factors • ?______ Factors – those beyond group’s control • Party in power (President and/or Congress) • Business & tax cuts more likely when who’s in power? • Union interests more likely to be + considered by who? • Opposition Interest Groups => generated in response • Opposing IGs tend to cancel each other out • Better chance with no opposition (Veterans’ Groups) • (Budget proposal to cut Veterans’ Health Care- chance?)

44. Internal Factors of Interest Group Influence? ?__________ Depends on: ?_________ ?_________ ?_________ Resources

45. Internal Factors => The Details: • 1.?____________- (size and commitment) – especially who votes! • (Recall demographic factors & socio-economic status) • 2.?_______________- must understand how Washington works • Be able to effectively lead and manage the group’s interests • Able to maintain focused & cohesive membership • 3.?_______________Resources-in general more $ better than less • Contribute to political campaigns => buys access to lawmakers • Hire lobbyist who give parties that Congressmen attend • Conduct media campaigns: Astroturf Lobbying • (“Coalition to End Abusive Securities Suits”) • Buy state of the art equipment – direct mail operations • What do less funded groups do to compensate for less $$$? • How does Green Peaceget free media & capture public’s attention? • 4.Objectives => the narrower & less known the better – why? • Recall the impact of Disturbance Theory

46. The Balance Sheet on Interest Groups • Americans have love/hate relationship with IGs • Another case of Theory versus Reality- why? • In Theory: general disdain for factions or “Special Interest” • In Reality: Support (at various levels) for specific interests

47. The Pros & Cons of Interest Groups • Disagreement over virtues & evils of the many different Interest Groups • Great diversity & interests interact and often conflict • As illustrated by previous slide (Figure 10-4)* • Often these conflicts generate opposition to each other • Due primarily to “disturbance theory” • One common thread appears throughout: • Wealthy & more powerful better represented – Why? • Rich can afford the means to gain ?______ to Politicians • The primary means of which is by hiring whom to represent and protect their “special interest”?

48. Lobbyists & Lobbying Expenditures • The wealthy with high socioeconomic statusjoinInterest Groupsthat can afford to hire Lobbyists to ensure the members’ interest is protected • Money spent on Lobbying has grown significantly of late • Any Problem?*

49. Potential Corruption & Abuse of Power • Significant potential for corruption and abuse of Power is now evident: • Recent conviction of Lobbyist Jack Abramoff & Rep. Randy Cunningham (R-CA) • Indictment of Tom Delay (R-TX) & convictions of other Congressional and White House officials provide latest examples • Negative Impact on Public’s trust & confidence in their Federal & State Government: • Public becoming more cynical about Congress & its Government

50. The Contributions of Interest Groups: • On balance- Interest Groups do make + contributions: • Represent views of IG members to Government • Enable people to participate in political process • Educates public about potential issues affecting them • Push new issues onto the political agenda • Monitor Government action & push for change • Examples: Women’s suffrage & civil rights laws • Uphold right of Americans to petition Government • (First Amendment right upheld) • Despite their vulnerability to abuse by special interests • IGs ingrained as integral part of American political process