INTEREST GROUPS

INTEREST GROUPSWhat Are They? What Interests

are represented?

How are they organized?

Characteristics of Members

Strategies: The Quest for Political Power

Interest Groups Interest: an attitude, value, or

preference with some relevance to public policy

Groups of people who share a common concern that further their interests within the framework of government

HOW DO INTEREST GROUPS EXERCISE INFLUENCE?

A. Organization B. Strategies/Characteristics

Organization(effectiveness = size, intensity, financial

resources) 1. Membership lists 2. Elected officers 3. Dues/Treasury 4. Paid staff

Why don’t some people organize? re: Mancur Olson

a. Shared attitude may not be important. e.g: pro gun control

b. Collective good; e.g., higher prices for all dairy farmers; higher wages for all workers of employer

c. Free ridership...don't pay dues, write congress, etc…still get benefit

Organizations’ Response to problems

compel membership exaggerate threat take credit for successes secondary benefits

Strategies: Quest for Political Power

A. Lobbying v. Gaining Access B. Litigation C. Going Public/Public

Relations/Protest D. Electoral Politics Bribery?

Lobbying Strategy

1. Defined --making your views known to government

2. Who is lobbied? a. Legislative executive and judicial b. Where are decisions made? c. where can you be effective? d. Where will your members notice?

Who are the lobbyists?

b. Law firms (respectability) c. Public relations firms (versatility) d. Political consultants e. Ex-Decision makers: congress,

executive branch know how system works, friends on

inside

Restrictions on lobbying

a. Lobbying viewed suspiciously b. But, 1st freedoms…speech,

petition c. Cannot, should not outlaw lobbying d. Public exposure: Register and

report expenditures ..FEC

Gaining Access Strategy

Iron Triangles/subgovernments – (re: hyperpluralism)

Issue Networks PACs

Litigation strategy

Direct action Help Finance Filing amicus curiae briefs

Public Relations Strategy (Going Public?)- Goals:

a. Create a favorable climate of opinion

b. Mobilize people to contact Congress on specific legislation

2. Going Public - Effectiveness depends on:

a. How much they spend? b. How long they spend? c. Whether we have an alternative

source of information

Protest Strategy (Going Public?)

1. Typically used by lower income groups and outgroups

a. Doctors rarely b. CEO never 2. How effective is protest? 3. Illegal forms

Protest Strategy -Illegal forms

a. Blocking traffic b. Trespassing c. Disrupting government functions Illegal protest has a long tradition

in US, butyou have to be willing to pay the price

Electoral Politics Strategy (Electioneering) & PACs

1. Used to be Labor PAC--Congress of Political Equality (COPE) was dominant PAC

b. Money & volunteer workers & campaign managers

c. In some areas it was the Democratic Party

Electoral Politics Strategy

2. Federal law a. Can't spend corporate or union

treasury to help b. Can't force employees or union

members to contribute money or time

Legal Changes - Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

Running for Senate (NY) Buckley attacks dollar limits on Freedom of Speech

b. Supreme Court 1. limit contributions -- OK 2. limit expenditures -- NO

PROBLEMS

A. Negative Campaign 1980 PACs uncoordinated Since then candidates pick up People say they don't believe in

negative campaigns – (T/F?)… may affect turnout

Problems/Dilemma

B. Most money goes to incumbents 1. Influential incumbents 2. When Democrats were the majority --

most went to them; and vice versa 3. Is this selling votes?

Tendencies in system

Democrats/Republicans as Minority/Majority in Congress

Campaign Financing Reforms