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Interest Groups

Interest Groups. What is social capital?. The norms and trust that develop from interpersonal social relationships A byproduct of other activities, not something created on its own . Why the decline of social capital?. What are ways we can build social capital?.

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Interest Groups

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  1. Interest Groups

  2. What is social capital? • The norms and trust that develop from interpersonal social relationships • A byproduct of other activities, not something created on its own

  3. Why the decline of social capital?

  4. What are ways we can build social capital?

  5. What does a healthy democracy really need? • Which do you think has a bigger potential affect on the health of democracy, having an informed citizenry, or having close-knit communities?

  6. Interest Groups

  7. Constitutional roots Congress shall make no law…abridging …the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. --First Amendment

  8. Interest Groups • Definition: groups that have organized to try to affect government policy. • (And don’t run candidates for office)

  9. Examples of interest groups? • American Civil Liberties Union • The Christian Coalition • National Rifle Association • National Organization for Women • The Sierra Club • A.A.R.P. (American Association of Retired Persons) • National Right to Life Committee • National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League • The Concord Coalition • The Federalist Society • American Association of Manufacturers • Pharmalogical Manufacturers Association of America

  10. Freewrite What are your impressions of interest groups? Where do those impressions come from? Do you think the system fair to all groups, or do some groups have a disproportionate say over public policy? Why do you think that is the case?

  11. Groups: a theoretical perspective • Collective goods and free rider problems • What makes it easier to form a group? • Size, homogeneity, cost • How do large groups form?

  12. Selective incentives • A selective incentive (either negative or positive) applies selectively to individuals depending on whether or not they contribute to the provision of the collective good.

  13. Pluralism • Groups can form freely • Any potential group can form if its interests are at stake • All groups’ interests will be fairly represented • No one group will dominate all the time

  14. Lobbying in the policymaking process • Case study: the AARP • Huge membership: Selective incentives • Problem definition • Studies and research reports • Drafting legislation • Agendasetting • Polls, press releases, press conferences

  15. Lobbying in the policymaking process Lobbying • Informal participation • Formal participation (testifying) • Astroturf lobbying (generating mail) • Demonstrations • Going Public (HIAA-Harry and Louise) • Giving money to candidates (not all groups do!)

  16. Campaign Finance • PACs (Political Action Committees) • Must raise money from 50 people (+) • Must contribute to at least 5 candidates • Maximum $5000 contribution per campaign • All public information

  17. Implementation • Reacting to proposed rules • The Federal Register • Informal lobbying

  18. Interpretation • Filing court cases to challenge laws • Filing amicus briefs

  19. Lobbying as a bad word… • Money buys access • Revolving Door grants access • Meals, travel and gifts • Private bills, contracts, loopholes

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