INTEREST GROUPS. Learning Objectives 12. Identify the different incentives that motivate people to join interest groups. 13. Compare types of interest.

INTEREST GROUPS

Learning Objectives

12. Identify the different incentives that motivate people to join interest groups.

13. Compare types of interest groups and different specific interest groups.

14. Compare interest groups, lobbying firms, and PACs.15. Compare PACs and Super PACs.16. Evaluate the way interest groups attempt to influence

elections and government decision-making and the limits on their influence.

17. Describe how the federal government regulates interest groups.

18. Compare different theories on the influence of interest groups

19. Compare the goals of political parties and interest groups and explain how they support each other’s goals.

The Role of Interest Groups

Interest group An organization of people with shared policy

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

Interest groups and political parties promote U.S. democracy by linking citizens to the political process.

Differences between parties and interest groups: Political parties fight election battles; interest groups

do not field candidates for office but may choose sides.

Interest groups are policy specialists; political parties are policy generalists.

Types of Interest Groups

1. Economic Interests Labor Agriculture Business

2. Environmental Interests3. Equality Interests4. Consumer and Public Interest Lobbies5. Ideological interest groups

appeal of coherent, and often controversial, principles

25,000 interest groups in the U.S.!

Q1: Why are interest groups so common in the U.S.? Diverse society Multiple access points to government Political parties are weak

Q2: Why do people join interest groups? 3 types of incentives

Solitary Purposive Material

Why Join an Interest Group? Solitary Incentives

Enjoyment, companionship Solitary incentives require organizations

to structure themselves as coalitions of small local units

Facilitated by the importance of local governments in the U.S.

Examples: League of Women Voters (LWV), NAACP, Rotary, Parent-Teacher Association

Why Join?Purposive Incentives The goal or purpose of the organization

itself Though this group also benefits

nonmembers, people join because: They are passionate about the goal(s) of

the organization They have a strong sense of civic duty Cost of joining is minimal

Why Join?Material Incentives Money, things, services Organization may also influence how

laws are administered to bring benefits to members

Examples: farm organizations, AARP

How Groups Try to Shape Policy1. Lobbying Lobbyists try to influence government

decisions Some are paid employees of a particular

organization Interest groups, corporations, labor unions

Others are “for hire” Often former legislators

Why do members of Congress listen to lobbyists?

Source of info Help with political & campaign strategy Provide ideas & innovation

Industries’ big spenders on lobbying

How Groups Try to Shape Policy

2. Electioneering Aiding candidates financially Getting out the vote Political Action Committees

(PACs): Political funding vehicles PACs are used by interest groups to

donate money to candidates. Mainly support incumbents

How Groups Try to Shape Policy

3. Litigation Suing for enforcement Amicus curiae briefs

submitted by a “friend of the court” to raise additional points of view and present information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties

Class Action lawsuits permit a small number of people to sue

on behalf of all other people similar situated.

How Groups Try to Shape Policy4. “Going Public” Aka: grassroots lobbying/mass

mobilization Public opinion influences policymakers Use media: marketing/advertising/PR Mobilize public opinion

a. Lobbying

b. Litigation

c. Electioneering

d. Going public

On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic?

a. Lobbying

b. Litigation

c. Electioneering

d. Going public

On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic?

Q3: Special interest groups including lobbyists and political action committees have been one of the most criticized components of the political process.

Why?

Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralism and Group Theory

Groups provide a key link between the people and the government.

Groups compete so no one group will become too dominant.

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

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

policy.

Theories of Interest Group Politics Elites and the Denial of Pluralism

Real power is held by the relatively few. The largest corporations hold the most

power. Groups are unequal in power because

elites prevail when it comes to big policy decisions.

Theories of Interest Group Politics: Elitism

Theories of Interest Group Politics The Hyperpluralist Critique

Groups become too powerful when government tries to appease every interest.

Trying to please every group results in contradictory policies.

Iron triangles Consist of interest groups, government

agencies, and congressional committees that handle particular policies

Exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas.

Also known as subgovernments or issue networks

a. Elitism

b. Hyperpluralism

c. Pluralism

d. None of the above

Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively?

a. Elitism

b. Hyperpluralism

c. Pluralism

d. None of the above

Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively?

Closure Questions:Interest Groups & Parties1. How do their goals differ?2. How do they support one another’s

goals?