Chapter 11: Interest Groups AP Classes, Nov. 12, 2013

1. Chapter 11: Interest GroupsAP Classes, Nov. 12, 2013

2. Obamacare: The Dealmaking Begins • http://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/frntc10.guide.obama/obamas-deal-the-deal-making-begins/

3. So What’s an “Interest Group”? • Any organization designed to influence public policy. • Goal may be to prevent action, change policies, ultimately get what their client wants. • IGs hire (and are sometimes called) “lobbyists,” perhaps after the activities that went on in the Willard Hotel (probably a myth, btw, but still a great hotel).

4. The lobby of the Willard

5. Historical Insight on Interest Groups • Federalist #10 by James Madison on factions (see handout) • Selfish interests threaten common good. • Protect individual liberties from the tyranny of the majority. • Representative democracy and large republic necessary to curtail influence of factions. • Separation of powers in national government limits influence of factions. • In essence, let factions fight factions.

6. Constitutional Underpinnings • First Amendment protects them. • Freedom of speech • Freedom of assembly • Freedom to petition government • Our federalist system encourages them. • Lots of governments at different levels, so lots of groups form to try to influence them. • Some national groups (NRA, AARP, etc.), some regional (the “Save Our Delta” movement)

7. There’s a group for everyone… • See list (undoubtedly partial) of trade associations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_industry_trade_groups_in_the_United_States • There’s even a trade association that represents other trade associations. • It’s called the American League of Lobbyists. • And it just voted to change its name to the Association of Government Relations Professionals.

8. Types of Interest Groups • Economic interest groups (sometimes called “institutional interest groups”). Examples: • Labor Groups (AFL-CIO, Teamsters Union) • Business Groups (National Association of Manufacturers, Chamber of Commerce) • Agricultural Groups (National Farmers’ Union, the Tobacco Lobby) • Professional Groups (National Education Association, American Medical Association)

9. Types of IGs (cont.) • “Cause” groups (sometimes called “membership interest groups”). Examples: • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) • National Rifle Association (NRA) • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) • Christian Coalition • Anti-Defamation League • Sierra Club • Greenpeace

10. Types of IGs (cont.) • Public interest groups (when the goals will benefit mainly nonmembers). Examples: • Common Cause • League of Women Voters • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (Random picture of cute animals:)

11. Why do IGs exist? • To serve the interests of their clients • To do that, they … • …provide information to clients and policymakers • …help clients and policymakers shape laws • Some other theories: • Build social capital • Remember “Bowling Alone”? Some might say the NRA and AARP are good examples of bringing lots of people together with different interests. (Yes, but is that really building social capital?) • Enhance democratic capacities of members. • In English: elect politicians.

12. Why would someone join? • Solidary incentives: social rewards – friendship, status, guilt-avoidance, etc. A sense of belonging. • Example: The Audubon Society. Nice people, cute birds.

13. Why join (cont.) • Material incentives: good rates, discounts, etc. • Example: AARP (why at this very minute AARP members can get a 20% discount on purchases from the Popcorn Factory!)

14. Why join (cont.) • Purposive incentives: pleasure in serving for a cause (big with ideological IGs). • Example: NRA (At right is one of the many lobbying pieces that the NRA produces.)

15. How are IGs funded? • Dues • Grants • From foundations like from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation • From the government • Products/services • Some get federal contracts (see, e.g., Catholic Charities, which runs various community projects) • Note: There often is a “free rider” problem. people get the benefits of a group’s work but don’t pay dues. Free riders of a different sort:

16. Roles of IGs • Represent—IGs are a linkage institution (along with elections, media, and parties) between citizens and the government. • Participate in political process—stimulate members to get involved. • Educate – Admittedly in biased way (but should always be factual)

17. Roles of IGs (cont.) • Frame issues—Examples: Issue Conservative Liberal • Build agendas– identify problems, bring them to light, get att’n. Example: Highlighting problem of pirated CDs and other intellectual property • Monitor– did the policy do what was promised? Any unintended consequences?

18. Strategies of Interest Groups • Lobbying • Going Public • Influencing Elections • Litigation “Why, teacher, please tell us more about these fascinating ideas!” “Okay, class! Let’s go to the next slide!”

19. Lobbying – the “insider strategy” • Provide information to policymakers. This is KEY!!! • Draft bills/regulations. • Testify in committees and executive agencies. • Make campaign contributions. • Grassroots lobbying. • See also “astroturf lobbying.”

20. A brief word about “earmarks” • An “earmark” is a provision in a bill that benefits one narrow interest. Your book talks about them lacking review by all of Congress, but that’s true of most legislation. • Note that earmarks are impermissible. There is an unofficial agreement in both the House and Senate not to use these. • Note also that some think that this is contributing to our gridlock in Congress.

21. Going Public – the “outsider strategy” • Direct mailings, media ads, internet blogs, tweets, etc. • Perhaps sponsor a poll. • Perhaps raise visibility through criticism, protests, or boycotts. • This is all designed to increase attention to, and support of, the group’s issues(s).

22. Influencing Elections • IGs encourage members to vote. • Will be more or less helpful depending on the size of the IG. • They produce ratings. • See http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/9490/barack-obama-ii#.UJaWVIWhBFw (Obama) andhttp://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/21942/mitt-romney#.UJaXPoWhBFw (Romney)

23. Influencing elections (cont.) • They contribute $$ through PACs/Super PACs • Regulated by FEC and states regarding public disclosure and finances • Group might use Super PAC and get unlimited contributions from corporations and unions.

24. Litigation/Legal Maneuvers • Interest groups and their lobbyists may sue (or at least threaten to sue). • NAACP sued against segregation leading to landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. • Or they may file amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs to influence judicial decisions. How about a cute AND relevant picture:

25. Comparing IGs and parties • Goal of IGs: influence policies. • They are policymaximizers. • They are specialists, focusing on narrow issues of interest to their members. • IGs get involved in campaigns but that’s not their primary focus. • Goal of parties: get someone elected. • They are votemaximizers. • Thus, they are generalists. • The rise of plurality, single-member districts means that the parties must be big tents. Must dilute some policy positions, be ambiguous, ignore some issues.

26. IGs and parties (cont.) 2 scenarios where IG strength could weaken relative to parties: • If we had a multiparty system (i.e., >2). • Much political support that goes to IGs probably would go to parties. • If we had a system where politicians relied more on parties for reelection. • But we don’t. Individual legislators build own coalitions across party lines on lots of issues. When parties are weak, IGs have greater access to individual MCs.

27. Iron triangles, issue networks, and other geeky labels Iron triangle: A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an IG

28. Iron triangles, etc. (cont.) Example: Bureaucracy (Federal Reserve Board) • Gives information to Congress, industry • Adopts regulations that are favorable to banks Interest group (The American Bankers Association) • Gives information to Fed, Congress • Supports Fed’s independence • Makes PAC contributes to campaigns Congress (House Financial Services Committee) • Protects Fed’s independence • Passes laws favorable to industry

29. Iron triangles, etc. (cont.) Do iron triangles really exist? • The three entities involved still interact but... • Today we see more “issue networks” – a loosely defined group of people in IGs, on congressional staffs, in universities, in “think tanks”, in the media, in law firms, etc. who talk regularly with each other about policy. • Ill-defined, very loose, and frequently changing but very real. • Information = power, and to get good, current info you need to be in an issue network. • Doesn’t guarantee success. Pluralism still very powerful.

30. Iron triangles, etc. (cont.)

31. What makes an IG effective? • Size/money. • If you can deliver lots of votes and lots of money, you’ll be listened to. Think AARP, NRA. • Cohesiveness of the group. • A narrow cause makes you better able to craft specific, actionable request • Some groups so big they’ll have internal fights. • Strong, credible leaders. • Doesn’t hurt if you’re well-connected to start with but you can overcome that.

32. Some limits on IGs’ effectiveness • Media • They can play an effective role as gatekeeper of an issue. • Pluralism • Madison was a genius. Factions can (and do) often cancel each other out, but they still can provide a link between the people and the government. • Note also the “elitist theory” (i.e., just a few IGs have the most power) and the “hyperpluralist theory” (i.e., so many groups out there that we get gridlock)

33. Time for another random cute animal picture

34. Potential problems with IGs • Problem of bias – IGs reflect the upper class. • Yes, but this doesn’t guarantee victory (see earlier slide) • Some groups not represented. Why? B/c • It’s often hard to coordinate a group • Lack of financial resources • May lack an issue that has direct impact on sufficient number of people or may be an issue of greatest importance to people who don’t vote (see, e.g., homelessness as an issue).

35. Potential problems (cont.) • Mismatch of resources (although small groups can use courts effectively). • Some are sleazy. • See Jack Abramoff video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHiicN0Kg10

36. Response to abuses: Regulation of lobbyists • First, who is a “lobbyist”? Anyone who spends 20% of time lobbying Congress or Executive Branch. • If you are a lobbyist, you must register with House and Senate. • And you must disclose certain things, per Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. • Who you’re representing • The issues you’re working on • Who you’re giving money to. • And, of course, comply with campaign finance laws.

37. Regulation of lobbyists (cont.) • Can’t bribe. • Can’t give gifts. • Can’t reimburse MC for travel costs (no “fact finding” junkets paid for, or arranged by, a lobbyist). (Fortunately, this cartoon is dated.)

38. Regulation of Lobbyists (cont.) • Post-employment lobbying bans: Can’t lobby old employer after leaving government employment. • Complicated rules. Generally: • Lifetime ban on lobbying on an issue you worked on. • 2-year ban for very senior officials (like Senators) from lobbying on any issue at their old employer (i.e., Congress). • 1-year ban for less senior officials from lobbying on any issue at their old employer. • Purely social contacts okay. • Making campaign contributions okay.

39. One last picture…

40. Review • This is the general rule regarding lobbying a former government employer. • Can’t lobby on an issue you worked on; shorter bans on any contact with former employer, with length depending on your seniority while with the gov’t • Why would someone join an IG? (3 reasons) • Solidary, material, purposive incentives • In addition to providing information, these are “insider” tools. • Drafting bills, testifying, making campaign contributions, grassroots lobbying

41. Review (cont.) • What are the constitutional underpinnings protecting IGs? • First Amendment protection of speech, assembly, and petition. • These are two things that can limit an IG’s effectiveness. • Media and pluralism (i.e., competition from other groups) • This is the definition of an iron triangle. • A relationship between an agency, an IG, and Congress (or committee) • This is the most important tool for a lobbyist. • Knowledge/information.

42. Review (cont.) • These are three ways in which IGs influence elections • Get their members to vote, ratings, and campaign contributions • These are two ways to use litigation to influence policy. • File a lawsuit or an amicus curiae brief. • What are some of the roles of IGs? • Represent people, participate in elections, educate, frame issues, build agendas, monitor

43. Review (cont.) • These are 3 differences between IGs and political parties. • (a) IGs are policy maximizers, parties are vote maximizers; (b) IGs are specialists, parties are generalists; (c) IGs cannot nominate candidates, parties can • This is the definition of an issue network. • A loosely defined group of experts in and out of the gov’t who regularly communicate about issues of common interest. • These things make an IG particularly effective. • (a) size/money, (b) cohesive group (narrow issue), (c) strong leader • What are the 3 types of IGs? • Economic, cause, and public interest

44. Review (cont.) • These are some of the problems with IGs. • Bias, underrepresentation of some, mismatch of resources, sleaze • What are the 4 strategies (broadly speaking) of IGs? • Lobbying, going public, influencing elections, and litigation • These are “outsider” tools. • Direct mailing/blogs/tweets, polls, boycotts/protests • This is the threshold for determining whether someone must register as a lobbyist. • Spend 20% of your time engaged in lobbying activities. • What type of cow is it that crawled up on the car? • Dunno.