Interest Groups Ch. 16 What is an interest group? What are some examples of interest groups? What is the difference between an interest group and a political.

Interest GroupsCh. 16

What is an interest group? What are some examples of interest groups?

What is the difference between an interest group and a political party?

Why does the formation of groups matter? Enhances social capital

relationships people have that help solve community problems through group action

Civic virtue Tendency to form small-scale groups for

public good Improved political/econ. development

Give un(der)represented people opportunity to have voices heard (more democratic)

Offers powerful/wealthy greater access & influence on policy makers at all levels

What is an interest group? Interest group—organized group that tries to

influence public policy Major difference between interest group and

political party is that interest groups DO NOT run candidates for office

David B. Truman: one of first political scientists to study interest groups Pluralist theory—political power is distributed

among diverse & competing interest groups Disturbance theory—any time there is a

disturbance in the political system, an interest group forms (groups counteract other groups)

Transactions theory—public polices are the result of narrowly defined exchanges among political forces Rejects pluralist approach: not rational to form a group;

groups that do represent elites

M. Olson: Logic of Collective Action Father of transactions theory

Collective goods=no groups, since can gain benefits of others (“free riders”) Population ecology theory—life of a

political organization is conditional on diversity/density of interest group population in an area

People will create small groups if necessary to prevent free riders (Civil Rights Movement)

“The flaw in pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class bias.”

Kinds of Organized Interests Generally, interest

groups describe many organized groups that try to influence government policy

Public Interest Groups—seeks a collective good that will not benefit group members (Progressives)

Economic Interest Groups—promotes financial interests of its members (AMA, AFL-CIO)

Governmental Units—state and local gov’ts lobby for funding earmarks—funds

specifically for program within state or district

Political Action Committees—federally regulated fund-raising committee that represent interest groups (1974); no formal members

Multi- and single-issue groups

Development of American Interest Groups National groups emerge (1830-1889)

Communication networks enabled nationalization of groups

First were single-issue groups deeply rooted in the Christian religious revivalism Temperance, Peace, Education, and Slavery

Other groups emerged after the Civil War One of the most effective: Central Pacific Railroad

Sent lobbyist to D.C. in 1861 (later in charge of oversight of RR)

Lobbyists Interest group representative who seeks to influence

legislation that will benefit his or her organization through political persuasion

The Progressive Era (1890-1920) Grew out of concern for impact of rapid

industrialization, influx of immigration, monopolistic business practices, crime, poverty, poor working conditions

Organized Labor AFL (American Federation of Labor) Clayton Act: allowed unions to organize free from

prosecution and guaranteed their right to strike Business Groups and Trade Associations

Trade Associations: a group that represents a specific industry

Unfair bribery tactics, gifts, contributions NELA, NAM

The Rise of the Interest Group State 1960s and 1970s saw a

reappearance of the Progressive spirit Civil Rights Women’s Rights Elderly Poor Consumers Environment

Common Cause (watchdog group)

Ralph Nader’s Public Citizen (investigatory litigation center)

Conservative Response: Religious and Ideological Groups Jerry Falwell and the

Moral Majority Pat Robertson, the

700 Club and the Christian Coalition

National Rifle Association

Business Groups, Corporations, and Associations Rise in business

advocacy groups More political than

Chamber of Commerce Example: The

Business Roundtable Created in 1972 Urges member to

engage in direct lobbying to influence the course of public policy

Most large corporations have them Own governmental

affairs department Employ D.C.-based

lobbyists to keep them apprised of legislation

Gave substantial soft money in the past

Still use PACs, 527s, and thus contribute a great deal of money

Organized Labor Began to emerge as powerful player

early in the 20th century Could turn out members Focus not only on labor issues, but also

other issues of concern to its members More recently labor has lost some

clout Membership down “pale, male, stale”