Chapter 11: Interest Groups. Proliferation and growth A.Tocqueville described Americans as having a propensity for joining groups B.Economic development:

Chapter 11:Chapter 11:

Interest GroupsInterest Groups

Proliferation and growthProliferation and growthA.A. Tocqueville Tocqueville described Americans as described Americans as

having a propensity for joining groupshaving a propensity for joining groups

B.B. Economic development:Economic development: farm problems farm problems Granges Granges

C.C. Gov. policies; agencies create entry Gov. policies; agencies create entry points:points: New Deal and Great Society New Deal and Great Society programs made it important to "protect" programs made it important to "protect" ones stake in agency activitiesones stake in agency activities

D.D. Diversity of population:Diversity of population: many social, many social, racial, economic and geographic racial, economic and geographic cleavagescleavages

Proliferation and growthProliferation and growthE.E. Diffusion of power in government (federal, Diffusion of power in government (federal,

state, local):state, local): many places to influence many places to influence agenciesagencies

F.F. Weakness of political parties:Weakness of political parties: interest groups interest groups fill power vacuumfill power vacuum

G.G. Federal Elections Campaign Act:Federal Elections Campaign Act: lobbying lobbying process is big winner (esp. PACs)process is big winner (esp. PACs)

H.H. Reaction of Conservative and Business groupsReaction of Conservative and Business groups to what they saw as the excesses of liberal to what they saw as the excesses of liberal activism of the 1960s and '70sactivism of the 1960s and '70s

I.I. Interest groups beget interest groups:Interest groups beget interest groups: when when one is formed, another may be formed to one is formed, another may be formed to counter itcounter it

J.J. Technology:Technology: computerized mailing lists for computerized mailing lists for funds + new use of communicationfunds + new use of communication

The birth of interest groupsThe birth of interest groups

I.I. Periods of rapid growthPeriods of rapid growthSince 1960, 70 percent established their D.C. officeSince 1960, 70 percent established their D.C. officeA.A. 1770s1770s-independence groups-independence groupsB.B. 1830s, 1840s-1830s, 1840s- religious, antislavery groups religious, antislavery groupsC.C. 1860s1860s- trade unions, grange, fraternal - trade unions, grange, fraternal

organizationsorganizationsD.D. 1880s, 1890s1880s, 1890s -business associations -business associationsE.E. 1900-19201900-1920 -business and professional -business and professional

associations, charitable organizationsassociations, charitable organizationsF.F. 1960s-1960s- environmental, consumer, political- environmental, consumer, political-

reform organizationsreform organizations

Kinds of OrganizationsKinds of Organizations

I.I. Institutional interestsInstitutional interests: individuals or : individuals or organizations that represent other organizations that represent other organizationsorganizations

A.A. American Cotton Manufacturers Institute: represents American Cotton Manufacturers Institute: represents southern textile southern textile

B.B. US Chamber of Commerce: represents thousands of US Chamber of Commerce: represents thousands of different businessesdifferent businesses

II.II. Membership InterestsMembership InterestsA.A. NAACPNAACP

B.B. NRANRA

Incentives to joinIncentives to joinI.I. Solidary incentives-Solidary incentives- social benefits of joining (League of social benefits of joining (League of

Women Voters (LWV), NAACP, Rotary, Parent-Teacher Women Voters (LWV), NAACP, Rotary, Parent-Teacher Association, American Legion)Association, American Legion)

II.II. Material incentives-Material incentives- money, things, services (farm money, things, services (farm organizations, AARP)organizations, AARP)

III.III. Purposive incentives-Purposive incentives- goal/purpose of the organization goal/purpose of the organization itselfitself

A.A. Though group also benefits nonmembers, join because:Though group also benefits nonmembers, join because:1.1. Passionate about goalPassionate about goal2.2. Strong sense of civic dutyStrong sense of civic duty3.3. Cost of joining minimalCost of joining minimal

B.B. Ideological interest groups-appeal of controversial principlesIdeological interest groups-appeal of controversial principlesC.C. Public interest lobby-purpose principally benefits nonmembersPublic interest lobby-purpose principally benefits nonmembersD.D. Engage in research and bring lawsuits, with liberal or Engage in research and bring lawsuits, with liberal or

conservative orientationconservative orientationE.E. Publicity important because purpose groups are influenced by Publicity important because purpose groups are influenced by

mood of the timemood of the time

Interest Groups and Social MovementsInterest Groups and Social Movements

A.A. Social Movement Definition: a widely Social Movement Definition: a widely shared demand for change in some shared demand for change in some aspect of social or political orderaspect of social or political order

Funds for Interest GroupsFunds for Interest GroupsI.I. to raise more money than they get in dues, to raise more money than they get in dues,

groups have turned to three important sources:groups have turned to three important sources:A.A. Foundation GrantsFoundation Grants: Foundations, such as the Ford : Foundations, such as the Ford

Foundation, fund various interest groups, thus aiding Foundation, fund various interest groups, thus aiding both parties in accomplishing common goalsboth parties in accomplishing common goals

B.B. Federal Grants and Contracts: Federal Grants and Contracts: government does not government does not fund groups to help them to then lobby government. fund groups to help them to then lobby government. Instead government helps fund programs spearheaded Instead government helps fund programs spearheaded by the interest group. Boom in the 1960s, but slowed in by the interest group. Boom in the 1960s, but slowed in the 1980s (the 1980s (““de-fund the leftde-fund the left””).).

C.C. Direct MailDirect Mail1.1. Individuals are solicited if they meet certain criteria (i.e. Individuals are solicited if they meet certain criteria (i.e.

drive a truck, subscribe to fishing magazine= Sierra Club)drive a truck, subscribe to fishing magazine= Sierra Club)2.2. Computers have made this an excellent way to get $$Computers have made this an excellent way to get $$

The Problem of Bias?The Problem of Bias?A.A. Claim: Claim: Interest groups only serve the white Interest groups only serve the white

collar workers who can afford to give collar workers who can afford to give money and who have the time to join and money and who have the time to join and participate.participate.

Tactics and Activities of interest Tactics and Activities of interest groups groups

A.A. Use of mass mediaUse of mass mediaB.B. Boycotting, e.g.. NOW's boycott of states that didn't Boycotting, e.g.. NOW's boycott of states that didn't

ratify the ERA, NAACP threat to boycott South Carolina ratify the ERA, NAACP threat to boycott South Carolina (Confederate flag) and Arizona (MLK holiday)(Confederate flag) and Arizona (MLK holiday)

C.C. LitigationLitigationD.D. Use of amicus curiae briefsUse of amicus curiae briefsE.E. Campaign contributionsCampaign contributionsF.F. Endorsement of candidatesEndorsement of candidatesG.G. "Targeting" of unfriendly candidates"Targeting" of unfriendly candidatesH.H. Issuing "report cards" to rate candidatesIssuing "report cards" to rate candidatesI.I. Initiative, referendum, and recalls at state levelInitiative, referendum, and recalls at state levelJ.J. LobbyingLobbyingK.K. Mass mailingsMass mailings

LobbyingLobbying

I.I. Attempting to influence government. Attempting to influence government. Interest groups lobbying is generally Interest groups lobbying is generally most effective on narrow, technical most effective on narrow, technical issues that are not well-published.issues that are not well-published.

A.A. Function of lobbyistsFunction of lobbyists1.1. Influence governmentInfluence government2.2. Provide informationProvide information3.3. Testify at hearings Testify at hearings 4.4. Help write legislation-act as a third house of Help write legislation-act as a third house of

CongressCongress

The case FOR lobbyists.The case FOR lobbyists.

1.1. Provide informationProvide information

2.2. provide a means of participation for peopleprovide a means of participation for people

3.3. provide means of representation on the basis of provide means of representation on the basis of interest interest rather than geographyrather than geography

a.a. ““linking mechanismlinking mechanism”” between people and government between people and government

b.b. ““third house of Congress.third house of Congress.””

4.4. 1st Amendment protection1st Amendment protection

5.5. $$ spent is out in the open$$ spent is out in the open

6.6. Federalist #10: "remedy” is worst than the disease-- Federalist #10: "remedy” is worst than the disease-- Potential loss of liberty is worse than the abuses of Potential loss of liberty is worse than the abuses of lobbyists.lobbyists.

The case AGAINST lobbyistsThe case AGAINST lobbyists

1.1. Rich and powerful are overrepresented Rich and powerful are overrepresented

2.2. By safeguarding liberty, equality is sacrificedBy safeguarding liberty, equality is sacrificed

3.3. Single issue lobbies, especially, contribute to Single issue lobbies, especially, contribute to political polarizationpolitical polarization

opensecrets.org

Money and PACsMoney and PACsA.A. Explosive growth of PACsExplosive growth of PACs

1.1. 1974 only 600 existed, now nearly 50001974 only 600 existed, now nearly 50002.2. reason: Campaign finance reform reason: Campaign finance reform 3.3. Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1974

attempted to limit big spenders/soft money and attempted to limit big spenders/soft money and paved the way for PACspaved the way for PACs

a.a. individual contribution per candidate $1000 and $25000 individual contribution per candidate $1000 and $25000 to all candidates in any given yearto all candidates in any given year

b.b. $1000 per PAC, BUT no limit on number of PACs$1000 per PAC, BUT no limit on number of PACs4.4. can contribute 5 X what the individual contributed can contribute 5 X what the individual contributed

with no yearly limit to all candidateswith no yearly limit to all candidates5.5. NO limit to "independent expenditures" that a NO limit to "independent expenditures" that a

PAC could make… PAC could make… 6.6. Super PACs– a nickname for independent Super PACs– a nickname for independent

expenditures with no limitsexpenditures with no limits

Money and PACsMoney and PACs

A.A. GrowthGrowth1.1. 1972 PAC contributed $8.5 million to congressional 1972 PAC contributed $8.5 million to congressional

races/ By 2000, over $250 million.races/ By 2000, over $250 million.

2.2. also a higher % of campaigns fundsalso a higher % of campaigns funds In 1978 63 In 1978 63 congressmen received more than 50% of their congressmen received more than 50% of their campaign funds from PACs/ 1986 the number campaign funds from PACs/ 1986 the number receiving 50% was up to 194receiving 50% was up to 194

Money and PACsMoney and PACs

A.A. StrategiesStrategies1.1. Campaign contributions-factors influencing who gets Campaign contributions-factors influencing who gets

PAC moneyPAC moneya.a. Winners/Incumbents Winners/Incumbents In 1998, PACs gave $171 million to In 1998, PACs gave $171 million to

congressional incumbents, and only $22 million to congressional incumbents, and only $22 million to challengerschallengers

b.b. Those who share similar philosophyThose who share similar philosophyc.c. Those in positions of special influence: party leaders, Those in positions of special influence: party leaders,

committee chairscommittee chairsd.d. PAC money makes up a higher % of congressional PAC money makes up a higher % of congressional

campaign $ than presidential $ (think access)campaign $ than presidential $ (think access)2.2. Voter education projects-mailings, fliers, commercialsVoter education projects-mailings, fliers, commercials3.3. Independent expenditures and "soft money"Independent expenditures and "soft money"4.4. "Bundling""Bundling"

Money and PACsMoney and PACs

A.A. Who has PACs?Who has PACs?1.1. Corporations-50% of all PACsCorporations-50% of all PACs

2.2. Ideological organization-25%Ideological organization-25%

3.3. Professional/trade/health associations-15%Professional/trade/health associations-15%

4.4. Labor unions-10%Labor unions-10%

5.5. Overrepresentation of upper/middle upper classOverrepresentation of upper/middle upper class

Money and PACsMoney and PACs

A.A. Dangers of PACsDangers of PACs1.1. Ethical concerns: does a PAC get what they Ethical concerns: does a PAC get what they

"pay" for?"pay" for?

2.2. Special access of PACs that the public lacksSpecial access of PACs that the public lacks

3.3. Drives up cost of campaigningDrives up cost of campaigning

4.4. Further incumbency advantageFurther incumbency advantage

Money and PACsMoney and PACs

A.A. In defense of PACsIn defense of PACs1.1. many of the same as lobbyists including 1st many of the same as lobbyists including 1st

Amendment rightsAmendment rights

2.2. Contributions are often nonpartisan (although most Contributions are often nonpartisan (although most unions support Democrats and many business PACs unions support Democrats and many business PACs support Republicans)support Republicans)

3.3. No conclusive evidence that PACs change votesNo conclusive evidence that PACs change votes

4.4. PACs provide political education and diversify PACs provide political education and diversify funding-- with over 4200 PACs many interests are funding-- with over 4200 PACs many interests are representedrepresented