Interest Groups Chapter 11 Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Fourteenth Edition.

Interest GroupsInterest GroupsChapter 11Chapter 11

Edwards, Wattenberg, and LineberryGovernment in America: People, Politics, and PolicyFourteenth Edition

The Role of Interest The Role of Interest GroupsGroups

Interest groupInterest group An organization of people with shared policy goals An organization of people with shared policy goals

entering the policy process at several points to try entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goalsto achieve those goals

Interest groups Interest groups pursue their goalspursue their goals in many arenas. in many arenas. Interest groups and political parties promote U.S. Interest groups and political parties promote U.S.

democracy by democracy by linking citizens to the political linking citizens to the political processprocess. Interest groups are distinct from parties.. Interest groups are distinct from parties.

Political parties fight election battles; interest Political parties fight election battles; interest groups do not field groups do not field candidatescandidates for office but may for office but may choose choose sidessides..

Interest groups are policy Interest groups are policy specialistsspecialists; political ; political parties are policy parties are policy generalistsgeneralists..

Theories of Interest Theories of Interest Group PoliticsGroup Politics

Pluralism and Group Theory Pluralism and Group Theory Groups provide a Groups provide a key linkkey link between the between the

peoplepeople and the and the governmentgovernment.. Groups Groups competecompete and no one group will and no one group will

become too become too dominantdominant.. Groups play by the “Groups play by the “rules of the gamerules of the game.”.” Groups weak in one resource may use Groups weak in one resource may use

another.another. i.e. all legitimate groups can affect public policy. i.e. all legitimate groups can affect public policy.

LobbyingLobbying is open to all so is not a problem. is open to all so is not a problem.

Theories of Interest Theories of Interest Group Politics: PluralismGroup Politics: Pluralism

Elites and the Denial of PluralismElites and the Denial of Pluralism Real power is held by the Real power is held by the relativelyrelatively fewfew.. The largest The largest corporationscorporations hold the most power. hold the most power. Elite power is fortified by a system of Elite power is fortified by a system of

interlocking and concentrated power centersinterlocking and concentrated power centers of these corporations and other institutions.of these corporations and other institutions.

Groups are unequal in power because elites Groups are unequal in power because elites prevail when it comes to prevail when it comes to big policy decisionsbig policy decisions..

LobbyingLobbying is a problem because it benefits the is a problem because it benefits the few at the expense of the many.few at the expense of the many.

Theories of Interest Theories of Interest Group Politics: ElitismGroup Politics: Elitism

Theories of Interest Theories of Interest Group Politics: Group Politics: HyperpluralismHyperpluralism

Subgovernments Subgovernments Networks of groups that exercise a great deal of Networks of groups that exercise a great deal of

control over specific policy areas.control over specific policy areas. Consist of Consist of interestinterest groupsgroups, , governmentgovernment agencyagency, ,

and and congressionalcongressional committeescommittees that handle that handle particular policiesparticular policies

Also known as Also known as ironiron trianglestriangles

The hyperpluralist critiqueThe hyperpluralist critique Groups have become too powerful as the Groups have become too powerful as the

government tries to government tries to appeaseappease every interest. every interest. Trying to please every group results in Trying to please every group results in

contradictory policies.contradictory policies.

Why Join?Why Join?1.1. Solitary incentives—enjoyment, companionshipSolitary incentives—enjoyment, companionship

Solitary incentives require organizations to structure Solitary incentives require organizations to structure themselves as coalitions of small local unitsthemselves as coalitions of small local units

Facilitated by the importance of local governments in the U.S.Facilitated by the importance of local governments in the U.S. Examples: League of Women Voters (LWV), NAACP, Rotary, Examples: League of Women Voters (LWV), NAACP, Rotary,

Parent-Teacher Association, American LegionParent-Teacher Association, American Legion2.2. Material incentives—money, things, servicesMaterial incentives—money, things, services

Organization may also influence how laws are administered to Organization may also influence how laws are administered to bring benefits to membersbring benefits to members

Examples: farm organizations, AARPExamples: farm organizations, AARP3.3. Purposive incentives—goal/purpose of the organization itselfPurposive incentives—goal/purpose of the organization itself

Though this group also benefits nonmembers, people join Though this group also benefits nonmembers, people join because:because:

They are passionate about the goal(s) of the organizationThey are passionate about the goal(s) of the organization They have a strong sense of civic dutyThey have a strong sense of civic duty Cost of joining is minimalCost of joining is minimal

Fundamental Goals of Fundamental Goals of Interest GroupsInterest Groups

1.1. Influence public policyInfluence public policy

2.2. Influence Congress/governmentInfluence Congress/government

3.3. Change lawsChange laws

What Makes an Interest What Makes an Interest Group Successful?Group Successful?


The Surprising Ineffectiveness of The Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large GroupsLarge Groups Potential groupPotential group: all the people who might : all the people who might

be interest group members because they be interest group members because they share a common interestshare a common interest

Actual groupActual group: the part of the potential : the part of the potential group consisting of members who group consisting of members who actually joinactually join

Collective goodCollective good: something of value that : something of value that cannot be withheld from a group membercannot be withheld from a group member Example?Example?


Free-Rider ProblemFree-Rider Problem Some people don’t join interest groups Some people don’t join interest groups

because they because they benefit from the group’s benefit from the group’s activitiesactivities without officially joining. without officially joining.

Bigger the group, larger the Bigger the group, larger the problemproblem Large groups are difficult to Large groups are difficult to organizeorganize


1.1. Small groups are Small groups are betterbetter organizedorganized and and more more focusedfocused on the group’s goals. on the group’s goals.

MultinationalMultinational corporationscorporations are successful are successful because there are few of them and, therefore, because there are few of them and, therefore, have an easier time organizing for political have an easier time organizing for political action.action.

ConsumerConsumer groupsgroups have a difficult time getting have a difficult time getting significant policy gains because the benefits significant policy gains because the benefits are spread over the entire population.are spread over the entire population.

PublicPublic interestinterest lobbieslobbies seek “a collective good, seek “a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership and materially benefit the membership activities of the organization.”activities of the organization.”



2.2. IntensityIntensity Single-IssueSingle-Issue groups: groups that focus groups: groups that focus

on a narrow interest, dislike on a narrow interest, dislike compromise, and often draw compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politicsmembership from people new to politics

Groups may focus on an Groups may focus on an emotionalemotional issueissue, providing them with a , providing them with a psychological advantage.psychological advantage.

Intensity encourages Intensity encourages non-conventionalnon-conventional means of participation, i.e.—protestsmeans of participation, i.e.—protests


3.3. FinancialFinancial ResourcesResources Not all groups have equal amounts of Not all groups have equal amounts of

money.money. Monetary donations usually translate Monetary donations usually translate

into into access to the politiciansaccess to the politicians, such as a , such as a phone call, meeting, or support for phone call, meeting, or support for policy.policy.

Wealthier groups have more Wealthier groups have more resourcesresources— and presumably more access—but — and presumably more access—but they do not always win on policy.they do not always win on policy.

How Groups Try to Shape How Groups Try to Shape PolicyPolicy

1.1. LobbyingLobbying ““communication by someone other communication by someone other

than a citizen acting on his own than a citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental behalf, directed to a governmental decisionmaker with the hope of decisionmaker with the hope of influencing his decision”influencing his decision”

Two basic types of lobbyists:Two basic types of lobbyists: RegularRegular, paid employees of a group, paid employees of a group TemporaryTemporary hireshires

An obvious question…An obvious question…

Where are most interest groups Where are most interest groups located?located?

Washington D.C.Washington D.C.

Examples: environmentalists, Examples: environmentalists, nurses, automobile manufacturers, nurses, automobile manufacturers, automobile assembly-line workersautomobile assembly-line workers


Lobbyists: Lobbyists: are a source of are a source of informationinformation help politicians plan help politicians plan political political

strategiesstrategies for for legislationlegislation help politicians plan political help politicians plan political

strategies for strategies for reelectionreelection campaigns campaigns are a source of are a source of ideasideas and and innovations.innovations.


2.2. Campaign ContributionsCampaign Contributions Otherwise known as “electioneering”Otherwise known as “electioneering”

Groups can Groups can recruit/endorse candidatesrecruit/endorse candidates that will support that will support their positions to run for public office their positions to run for public office

In many ways, groups speak for those who need In many ways, groups speak for those who need representation or buy candidate support. representation or buy candidate support.

Provide Provide testimonytestimony, and get members to work for candidates; , and get members to work for candidates; some form PACssome form PACs

PoliticalPolitical ActionAction CommitteeCommittee (PAC): Political funding (PAC): Political funding vehicles created by 1974 campaign finance reforms, vehicles created by 1974 campaign finance reforms, PACs are used by interest groups to PACs are used by interest groups to donatedonate moneymoney to to candidatescandidates. .

PACs help pay the bill for increasing campaign costs.PACs help pay the bill for increasing campaign costs. Most PAC money goes to Most PAC money goes to incumbentsincumbents.. PAC spending makes up a PAC spending makes up a higher percentagehigher percentage of congressional of congressional

campaign funds than of presidential campaign funds. campaign funds than of presidential campaign funds. The amount of money that PAC’s can contribute directly to a The amount of money that PAC’s can contribute directly to a

candidate is candidate is limitedlimited by by lawlaw..

““The Misplaced Obsession The Misplaced Obsession With Political Action With Political Action

Committees” by SabatoCommittees” by Sabato PAC’s are often the source of funding to PAC’s are often the source of funding to

provide a means of increasing the flow of provide a means of increasing the flow of informationinformation

Facts and MythsFacts and Myths Myth- PAC’s are often portrayed as evil and Myth- PAC’s are often portrayed as evil and

corrupt.corrupt. Fact- Many contributions before the 1970’s were Fact- Many contributions before the 1970’s were

more “disturbing and unsavory”more “disturbing and unsavory” Fact- Independents and Political Parties Fact- Independents and Political Parties

contributed 3/5 in the House and ¾ in the Senate. contributed 3/5 in the House and ¾ in the Senate. Myth- PAC’s have a bias towards the incumbent.Myth- PAC’s have a bias towards the incumbent. Fact- Bias is the same in ALL contributionsFact- Bias is the same in ALL contributions

““The Misplaced Obsession The Misplaced Obsession With Political Action With Political Action

Committees” by SabatoCommittees” by Sabato Myth- PAC’s “buy” the votes of the legislature.Myth- PAC’s “buy” the votes of the legislature.

Conditions necessary for this to happen:Conditions necessary for this to happen:1.1. Issue must be less visibleIssue must be less visible2.2. PAC’s are more influential when issue narrow, specialized, and PAC’s are more influential when issue narrow, specialized, and

unopposed by other PAC’s unopposed by other PAC’s Fact- The most important factors for determining a Fact- The most important factors for determining a

representative’s vote is party, ideology, and constituents. representative’s vote is party, ideology, and constituents.

The goal of PAC’s are to elect candidates. Members The goal of PAC’s are to elect candidates. Members aren’t likely to go against their district and will often aren’t likely to go against their district and will often forego PAC money if their vote is perceived as being forego PAC money if their vote is perceived as being “bought.”“bought.”

Madison thought that competing interest groups Madison thought that competing interest groups (factions) would preserve liberty assuming there are (factions) would preserve liberty assuming there are two checks:two checks:1.1. Free elections with general suffrageFree elections with general suffrage2.2. Political PartiesPolitical Parties


3.3. LitigationLitigation If an interest group fails in one arena, the If an interest group fails in one arena, the

courtscourts may be able to provide a may be able to provide a remedyremedy.. Interest groups can file Interest groups can file amicus curiae amicus curiae briefs briefs

to to influenceinfluence a a court’scourt’s decisiondecision.. amicus curiae: amicus curiae: briefs submitted by a “friend of the briefs submitted by a “friend of the

court” to raise additional points of view and court” to raise additional points of view and present information not contained in the briefs of present information not contained in the briefs of the formal partiesthe formal parties

ClassClass ActionAction lawsuitslawsuits permit a small number permit a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people of people to sue on behalf of all other people similar situated.similar situated.


4.4. Grassroots lobbying/Mass Grassroots lobbying/Mass MobilizationMobilization

Because public opinion makes its way to Because public opinion makes its way to policymakers, groups primarily use the policymakers, groups primarily use the mediamedia::

cultivate a cultivate a good public imagegood public image to build a to build a reservoir of goodwill with the publicreservoir of goodwill with the public

use use marketing strategiesmarketing strategies to influence public to influence public opinion of the group and its issuesopinion of the group and its issues

advertise to advertise to motivatemotivate and and informinform the public the public about an issueabout an issue

Narrowing it down…Narrowing it down…

The two major ways interest The two major ways interest groups achieve their goals is groups achieve their goals is through:through:

1.1. Access to/influenceAccess to/influence policymakers policymakers

2.2. Have Have like-mindedlike-minded people/policy people/policy advocated in office.advocated in office.

The Interest Group The Interest Group ExplosionExplosion

Periods of Rapid Periods of Rapid GrowthGrowth

70 percent70 percent of Washington-based groups have of Washington-based groups have established their D.C. office since the established their D.C. office since the 1960s.1960s. 1770s—independence groups1770s—independence groups 1830s, 1840s—religious associations, antislavery 1830s, 1840s—religious associations, antislavery

movementmovement 1860s—trade unions, Grange, fraternal 1860s—trade unions, Grange, fraternal

organizationsorganizations 1880s, 1890s—business associations1880s, 1890s—business associations 1900–1920—business and professional associations, 1900–1920—business and professional associations,

charitable organizationscharitable organizations 1960s—environmental, consumer, political reform 1960s—environmental, consumer, political reform

organizationsorganizations

Types of Interest GroupsTypes of Interest Groups

1.1. Economic InterestsEconomic Interests LaborLabor AgricultureAgriculture BusinessBusiness

2.2. Environmental InterestsEnvironmental Interests3.3. Equality InterestsEquality Interests4.4. Consumer and Public Interest LobbiesConsumer and Public Interest Lobbies Many interest groups are…ideological Many interest groups are…ideological

interest groups—appeal of coherent and, interest groups—appeal of coherent and, often, controversial principlesoften, controversial principles

A few rules of thumb to A few rules of thumb to keep in mind…keep in mind…

Movement may spawn many Movement may spawn many organizationsorganizations

Those in Those in powerpower will not inspire nearly as will not inspire nearly as much participation as those much participation as those out of powerout of power. .

More More extremeextreme organizationsorganizations will be will be smaller and more activistsmaller and more activist Examples?Examples?

More More moderatemoderate organizationsorganizations will be will be larger and less activistlarger and less activist

Understanding Interest Understanding Interest GroupsGroups

Interest Groups and DemocracyInterest Groups and Democracy In In The Federalist PapersThe Federalist Papers, Madison , Madison

expressed the view that factions are expressed the view that factions are undesirable but inevitable in a free society. undesirable but inevitable in a free society.

James Madison’s solution to the problems posed by James Madison’s solution to the problems posed by interest groups was to create a interest groups was to create a wide-open systemwide-open system in in which groups which groups competecompete..

PluralistsPluralists believe that the public interest would prevail believe that the public interest would prevail from this competition.from this competition.

EliteElite theoriststheorists point to the proliferation of business PACs as point to the proliferation of business PACs as evidence of interest group corruption.evidence of interest group corruption.

HyperpluralistsHyperpluralists maintain that group influence has led to maintain that group influence has led to policy gridlock.policy gridlock.

Understanding Interest Understanding Interest GroupsGroups

Interest Groups and the Scope of Interest Groups and the Scope of GovernmentGovernment Interest groups seek to maintain Interest groups seek to maintain policiespolicies

and and programsprograms that benefit them. that benefit them. Interest groups continue to pressure Interest groups continue to pressure

government to government to do more things.do more things. As the government does more, does this As the government does more, does this

cause the formation of more groups?cause the formation of more groups? ABSOLUTELY…The more activities ABSOLUTELY…The more activities

governmentgovernment undertakes, the more interest undertakes, the more interest groups form as a groups form as a responseresponse to those to those activitiesactivities. . (1960’s)(1960’s)

SummarySummary

Group theories: pluralism, elitism, Group theories: pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralismand hyperpluralism

A number of factors influence a A number of factors influence a group’s success, i.e., being smallgroup’s success, i.e., being small

Interest groups affect policy process Interest groups affect policy process through lobbying, electioneering, through lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and going public.litigation, and going public.

Interest Groups Chapter 11 Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Fourteenth Edition.

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group theory groups

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group successful

group politicspluralism

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