Chapter 10- Interest Groups (1). Define what an Interest Group is, and contrast its functions with political parties. (1). Define what an Interest Group.

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

Interest Groups An organized group of people who share some goals and try to influence public policy. Defining Interest Groups Interest Groups Versus Political Parties Purpose & priorities of Political Party? Purpose & priorities of Interest Group?

Five Main Functions of Interest Groups? Represen- tation Political Participation Education Agenda Building Programming Monitoring

Role & Functions of Interest Groups Five main functions of Interest Groups: Five main functions of Interest Groups: Representation interest of members Political Participation enable people to participate Government and Politics Government and Politics Education members, public, & government officials About issues of interest & why IG goals should be supported About issues of interest & why IG goals should be supported Agenda building- push new issues onto public agenda Examples: Consumer protection & Veterans issues Examples: Consumer protection & Veterans issues Program Monitoring- watch how laws are administered Assess Federal or State Government regulation Assess Federal or State Government regulation

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

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

Diversity of Organized Interests Three general categories of Interest Groups: Three general categories of Interest Groups: Economic Interest Groups Citizen Interest Groups Government Interest Groups Examine each in greater detail=> Examine each in greater detail=>

Business Groups Organized Labor Agricultural Groups Professional Associations Economic Interest Groups (#1) Four types:

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

Interest groups, also known as public interest groups, dedicated to promoting a vision of good public policy rather than the economic interests of their members. Citizen Groups Citizen Groups- promote group vision of public good=> American Civil Liberties Union & NRA Single issue groups (NAACP, Greenpeace, NOW)

State Governments Government Interest Groups Foreign Governments Local Governments

Coalitions and Divisions Groups of similar interests join in coalitions Groups of similar interests join in coalitions The Military Coalition => military & VA benefits Environmental & Nature Conservation groups Groups might also divide or realign on various issues Groups might also divide or realign on various issues Politics & strange bedfellows NAFTA issue

Interest Group Formation and Maintenance Reasons why interest groups form? Reasons why interest groups form? Disturbance Theory => Disturbance 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: 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? Whose interest is usually represented? Rich & powerful - why? Social-economic status => political activism

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

Free Riders 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?

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

Material (stuff) Solidarity (identity) Expressive (purpose) Three Benefits from Interest Groups

The actual goods and services that come from belonging to an interest group. Material? Examples?

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

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

Selective Benefits: Any benefit given to a member of a group, but denied to nonmembers Material Solidarity Expressive

Interest Group (IG) Maintenance IG Maintenance can be difficult IG Maintenance can be difficult How can this difficulty be overcome? Retain mbrs by upgrading selective benefits Retain mbrs by upgrading selective benefits Add or modify benefits (bigger & better & more) Increase or decrease reliance on patrons Increase or decrease reliance on patrons Redefine groups mission (March of Dimes) Redefine groups mission (March of Dimes) From Polio of 1950s to heart disease & cancer today

Interest Group Bias Affluent & better educated over => Affluent & better educated over => Poor and less educated- Why? The higher the socioeconomic status=> the more likely to be actively involved in politics Some exceptions Cesar Chavez against=> Some exceptions Cesar Chavez against=> Wealthier California grape growers during 70s Chavez was soon joined by young idealistic activists Still raises questions about=> Still raises questions about=> Democracy & political influence of few elite over many non politically involved

Interest Group Strategies Four major IG Strategies: Four major IG Strategies: Political Action Committees (PACs) Lobbying the Government Mobilizing Public Opinion Litigating Lets examine each strategy in greater detail=>

IG Strategy #1: Political Action Committees Organizations that solicit contributions from members of interest groups and channel those contributions to election campaigns- (usually for those candidates supporting policies favorable to members of the Interest Group- though not always).

Creating Political Action Committees (PACs) Since election reforms of early 70s => Since election reforms of early 70s => PACs grew significantly at different rates (Fig. 10-1) Various categories of PACs grew at different rates 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) PAC spending has also changed wrt the Political climate PAC spending has also changed wrt the Political climate Examine these changes is following charts and tables*

Growth in Political Action Committees (PACs), 1974-2004

PAC Spending 2003-2004

PACs gave nearly two-thirds of their congressional campaign contributions to Democratic candidates when the Democrats were the majority party on Capitol Hill. 1993-1994 Changes in PAC Contributions to Congress

When the Republican Party gained control of Congress, that donation pattern reversed. During the 1997-1998 election cycle, Republican candidates received a majority of PAC contributions. 1997-1998 Changes in PAC Contributions to Congress

Changes in PAC Contributions to Congress- Recent Comparison

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

Lobbying the Government (#2) lobbying & lobbyists, & direct lobbying lobbying & lobbyists, & direct lobbying Targeted attempts to influence policy Through personal contact of government officials Plead clients case directly to official Plead clients case directly to official Credible information key to effectively lobbying Credible information key to effectively lobbying Usually lobby officials of similar views Support draft legislation & research Lobbyists know how government process works 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?

Direct Lobbying Education Campaigns Grass- Roots Lobbying Types of Lobbying Advocacy Advertising

Trying to influence public policy through direct contact with government officials. Direct Lobbying

Lobbying to Mobilize Public Opinion Education Campaigns => Education Campaigns => Key tool for education of Public: advocacy advertising Educate public by publishing research studies Normally supporting Interest Groups policy positions Normally supporting Interest Groups policy positions Grass-Roots Lobbying very effective with Congress Grass-Roots Lobbying very effective with Congress Petition drives (Which Amendment Right?) Letters, phone calls, or e-mail to Congress or Admin Effective way to get elected officials attention Marches & demonstrations Get out the vote efforts Various methods used to mobilize Public Opinion:

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

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

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

Astroturf Lobbying Civil Disobedience Other Types of Lobbying &

Astroturf Lobbying Efforts, usually led by interest groups (or Corporations) with deep financial pockets, to create synthetic grass-roots movements by aggressively encouraging voters to contact their elected officials about specific issues.

Civil disobedience is the practice of breaking laws in order to pressure legislators to change perceived unjust laws. Civil Disobedience

IG Strategy #3: Litigating When you lose with the Congress => then what? When you lose with the Congress => then what? You can always sue Last action in a continuing cycle (Theres always next year) (Theres always next year) Examples: Examples: 1950s De Jure Segregation- NAACP Clean Air Act & Endangered Species Act Campaign Reform Amicus Curiae brief? Amicus Curiae brief?

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

Membership Leadership Financial Resources Objectives Internal Factors of Interest Group Influence?

Internal Factors => (4): Membership- (size and commitment) esp. who votes! Membership- (size and commitment) esp. who votes! (Recall demographic factors & socio-economic status) Leadership- must understand how Washington works Leadership- must understand how Washington works Effectively manages groups interests Able to maintain focused & cohesive membership Financial Resources- in general more $ better than less Financial 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 (Insurance companies defeat HRC) Buy state of the art equipment direct mail operations What do less funded groups do to compensate? (How to get free media & capture publics attention?) (How to get free media & capture publics attention?) Objectives => the narrower & less know the better Objectives => the narrower & less know the better Why? (Recall Disturbance Theory)

The Balance Sheet on Interest Groups Americans have love/hate relationship with IGs Americans have love/hate relationship with IGs Another case of Theory versus Reality- why? In Theory: general disdain for factions or Special Interest In Theory: general disdain for factions or Special Interest In Reality: Support (at various levels) for specific interests In Reality: Support (at various levels) for specific interests (see Figure 10-4)* Disagreement over virtues of different Interest Groups Disagreement over virtues of different Interest Groups Many times generated opposition (disturbance theory) Great diversity & interests interact and conflict (Figure 10-4)* One common thread appears throughout: One common thread appears throughout: Wealthy & more powerful better represented Why?

Public Attitudes Towards Interest Groups

Calls for Reform Complaints re. rich & powerful interest favored over rest Complaints re. rich & powerful interest favored over rest Prompt calls for reforms to change rules (& outcomes) Prompt calls for reforms to change rules (& outcomes) Limited changes made by Congress: Limit $$$ gifts to Congress mbrs (but also raised pay at same time) Limit $$$ gifts to Congress mbrs (but also raised pay at same time) Greater disclosure policies must identify lobbyists (Text cartoon) Greater disclosure policies must identify lobbyists (Text cartoon) See Text - (Box 10-2): Lobbyists influence on Congress See Text - (Box 10-2): Lobbyists influence on Congress Early Campaign Finance Reform limited reforms made Limited PAC $$$ & increase individual contribution Limited PAC $$$ & increase individual contribution 1st Amendment Rights challenge by opponents- always sue 1st Amendment Rights challenge by opponents- always sue All citizens have Constitutional right to petition the government All citizens have Constitutional right to petition the government Problems: also unintended consequences (loop holes) Problems: also unintended consequences (loop holes) For example: 1970s reforms resulted in Growth of PACs Recent Reforms & Court rulings => growth of Soft Money

The Contributions of Interest Groups: Represents views of IG members to Government Represents views of IG members to Government Enables people to participate in political process Enables people to participate in political process Educates public about potential issues affecting them Educates public about potential issues affecting them Pushes new issues onto the political agenda Pushes new issues onto the political agenda Monitors Government action & pushes for change Monitors Government action & pushes for change Examples: Womens suffrage & civil rights laws Upholds right of Americans to petition Government Upholds right of Americans to petition Government (First Amendment right upheld) IGs now ingrained as integral part of American political process IGs now ingrained as integral part of American political process

Next Class Assignment Quiz 2 (Chapters 6-10 Key Terms) Quiz 2 (Chapters 6-10 Key Terms) Preparation for Key Terms section of MTX exam (Quiz 1 => Part 1) + (Quiz 2 -> Part 2) => MTX Key Terms section (Quiz 1 => Part 1) + (Quiz 2 -> Part 2) => MTX Key Terms section Learn in context with Chapter LOs & class discussions MTX essay preparation (hand out) MTX essay preparation (hand out) Preparation for upcoming MTX Review (next Monday) Preparation for upcoming MTX Review (next Monday) (Last chance to clarify questions about Chapters 1-10) Review for Quiz 1 & 2 MTX (Wednesday): MTX (Wednesday): Bring 100/W SCANTRON with #2 pencil and pen (essay) (1 essay question and 100 Key Terms/Multiple Choice)

Interest Group KEY TERMS Interest Group KEY TERMS Advocacy advertising: Newspaper, television, and radio advertisements that promote an interest groups political views. Advocacy advertising: Newspaper, television, and radio advertisements that promote an interest groups political views. Amicus curiae brief: Literally, friend of the court. A brief filed with the court by a person or group who is not directly involved in the legal action but who has views on the matter. Amicus curiae brief: Literally, friend of the court. A brief filed with the court by a person or group who is not directly involved in the legal action but who has views on the matter. Astroturf lobbying: Efforts, usually led by interest groups with deep financial pockets, to create synthetic grass-roots movements by aggressively encouraging voters to contact their elected officials about specific issues. Astroturf lobbying: Efforts, usually led by interest groups with deep financial pockets, to create synthetic grass-roots movements by aggressively encouraging voters to contact their elected officials about specific issues. Citizen groups: Interest groups, also known as public interest groups, dedicated to promoting a vision of good public policy rather than the economic interests of their members. Citizen groups: Interest groups, also known as public interest groups, dedicated to promoting a vision of good public policy rather than the economic interests of their members. Collective goods dilemma: A dilemma created when people can obtain the benefits of interest group activity without paying any of the costs associated with it. In this situation, the interest group may not form because everyone has an incentive to let someone else pay the costs of group formation. Collective goods dilemma: A dilemma created when people can obtain the benefits of interest group activity without paying any of the costs associated with it. In this situation, the interest group may not form because everyone has an incentive to let someone else pay the costs of group formation. Direct lobbying: Trying to influence public policy through direct contact with government officials. Direct lobbying: Trying to influence public policy through direct contact with government officials. Expressive benefits: The feelings of satisfaction people derive from working for an interest group cause that they believe is just and right. Also known as purposive benefits. Expressive benefits: The feelings of satisfaction people derive from working for an interest group cause that they believe is just and right. Also known as purposive benefits. Free riders: People or groups who benefit from the efforts of others without bearing any of the costs. Free riders: People or groups who benefit from the efforts of others without bearing any of the costs.

Interest Group KEY TERMS (2) Grass-roots lobbying: Trying to influence public policy indirectly by mobilizing an interest groups membership and the broader public to contact elected officials. Grass-roots lobbying: Trying to influence public policy indirectly by mobilizing an interest groups membership and the broader public to contact elected officials. Interest group: An organized group of people who share some goals and try to influence public policy. Interest group: An organized group of people who share some goals and try to influence public policy. Lobbying: Trying to influence governmental decisions, especially the voting decisions legislators make on proposed legislation. Lobbying: Trying to influence governmental decisions, especially the voting decisions legislators make on proposed legislation. Lobbyists: People who make their living trying to influence public policy. Lobbyists: People who make their living trying to influence public policy. Material benefits: The actual goods and services that come from belonging to an interest group. Material benefits: The actual goods and services that come from belonging to an interest group. Political action committees (PACs): Organizations that solicit contributions from members of interest groups and channel those contributions to election campaigns. Political action committees (PACs): Organizations that solicit contributions from members of interest groups and channel those contributions to election campaigns. Selective benefits: Any benefit given to a member of a group but denied to nonmembers. Selective benefits: Any benefit given to a member of a group but denied to nonmembers. Solidarity benefits: The emotional and psychological enjoyment that comes from belonging to an interest group whose members share common interests and goals. Solidarity benefits: The emotional and psychological enjoyment that comes from belonging to an interest group whose members share common interests and goals.

Chapter 10- Interest Groups (1). Define what an Interest Group is, and contrast its functions with political parties. (1). Define what an Interest Group.

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