Pearson Longman PoliticalScience Interactive

1. Pearson LongmanPoliticalScienceInteractive Shea, Green, and Smith Living Democracy, Second Edition Chapter 13: Interest Groups

2. Interest Groups Motivation to Join Interest Groups • Single-issue interest groups • Multi-issue interest groups

3. Pathways of Action: LULAC • League of United Latin American Citizens • Founded 1929 • 700 councils, 115,000 members • Successful in advocating for Latinos • Provides services, encourages volunteerism

4. Functions of Interest Groups in a Democratic Society • Represent constituents • Provide means of political participation • Educate the public • Agenda building • Serving as government watchdogs Five functions of interest groups in the United States

5. 1959: 5,843 1970: 10,308 1980: 14,726 Mid-1990s: 22,200 Why has there been such a large growth in interest groups over the last 40 years? The Interest Group Explosion Number of national-level interest group organizations in the United States

6. Types of Interest Groups Economic Groups Public Interest Groups Think Tanks and Universities Governmental Units

7. Difficulties in Mobilization Mancur Olson, The Logic of Collective Action (1971) • Free-rider problem • Cost of group formation • Lack of a sense of political efficacy What are some of the barriers to collective action?

8. Overcoming Organizational Barriers Selective benefits can be used to overcome organizational barriers • Material benefits • Solidary benefits • Purposive benefits

9. Overcoming Organizational Barriers Membership Required • Unions are a good example. • Some employers make agreements to only hire union workers.

10. The Role of Interest Group Leaders Cesar Chavez and the UFW • Grew up as a migrant worker • 1962, organized National Farm Workers Association • UFW formed from NFWA and other organizations • Led march across California • Hunger strike

11. Pathways of Change From Around the World:Kris Woodall • Worked with Richard Ellarby to found the Coalition of Hull’s Young People • Worked to change city ordinances, and to help an Afghani asylum seeker

12. Inside and Outside Lobbying Inside Lobbying Openly appealing to public officials in the legislature and executive branches. Involves “gaining access” to an insider in the lawmaking process. Outside Lobbying Appealing directly to the public in order to influence officials. 90 percent of interest groups engage in this type of lobbying.

13. Student Profile: Alia Alnahas • High school student • 2006, founded United Student Activists • Peace through nonviolent political action, healthy energy sources, healthy environment

14. Pathways Profile: Recording Artists Coalition • Founded in 1998 by Don Henley and Sheryl Crow • Represents recording artists • Uses legal pathways, grassroots mobilization, and public events

15. Grassroots Mobilization Pathway Grassroots Mobilization The identification, recruitment, and mobilization of constituent-based political strength capable of influencing political decisions.

16. Traditional Tactics Grassroots Mobilization Pathway • Direct contact • Direct mail • Events and activities • Mass demonstrations • Boycotts • Litigation

17. Newer Tools Grassroots Mobilization Pathway • Advertorials • Advertising • Sponsored television shows • Blogs • Email campaigns • Use of Internet to organize

18. Campaign Activities Most interest groups take part in electoral politics by rating and endorsing candidates.

19. Interest Group Influence

20. The Importance of Money in Mobilization • Uses of Money • – Money is needed to recruit members, hire staff, rent offices, pay overhead, and raise additional funds. • – Groups with large resources often have an advantage. • Fundraising Tactics • – Dues from members, direct mailings, direct contact, personal appeals, Internet fundraising, and sale of goods and services