INTEREST GROUPS
Why are interest groups so common?
• Many kinds of ______________ in the country mean that there are many different interests.
• Constitution provides many access points to the government (__________)
• Political parties are weak so interests work directly on ______________.
History of Interest Groups• _______ of interest groups have an office in
Washington D.C.• 1800s- religious association, antislavery
groups, _________________• 1900s- business associations, charitable
organizations• 1960s- environmental groups, consumer
groups• 1970s – religious & _____________________
• Moral Majority - Jerry Falwell• Christian Coalition – Pat Robertson
Factors explaining the rise of interest groups
• 1)Broad economic developments create new interests, redefine old interests
• 2)Government policies- ex: wars create ___________ who demand benefits
• 3)Emergence of strong leaders usually from a ______________________
• Ex: civil rights, anti-war movements
Types of Organizations• Interest group- any organization that seeks to
influence _____________________• Types:• Economic Interest Groups
_________________ - most powerful unions and farmers- most declining
• Public Interest Groups ________, professional, charitable AARP
• Americans have great sense of efficacy, much more likely to join an interest group when compared to other nations.
Governmental Units• State and local governments ________
federal government for funds
• Want their share of _________ and earmarks
Incentives to Join
• 1) solidary incentives- pleasure, ________________• Organized as coalitions of small local
units• Ex: NAACP, Rotary, Parent-Teacher
Association, American Legion• 2) material ____________- $$, services• Ex: AARP, farm organizations
Incentives to Join
• __________ incentives- goal/purpose of the organization itself
• This group also benefits non-members…these people are called _______________________.
• Public Interest groups- usually created to benefit those who are not represented by interest groups.
Social Movements
• Definition- a widely shared demand for change in the social or political order.
• Movements may spawn many ____________________.• More extreme organizations will be
smaller and more activist.• More _____________ organizations will
be larger and less activist.
Funds for interest groups
• 1) membership ________• 2) foundation/federal grants• 3) direct mail• a) unique to modern interest groups• b) computers allow groups to
_______________________.• c) very expensive - need at least ___
return to be effective.
Direct mail techniques
• 1) teaser on envelope
• 2) letter arouses _______________
• 3) famous-name endorsement
• 4) ______________________ of letter
Facts about interest groups
• 1) those who are more affluent are more likely to __________ and be active.
• 2) business/professional groups are more ___________ and better financed.
• 3) Minorities, consumers, and the disadvantaged are ___________ by the interest groups.
Interest Groups in Action
• The most important tactic of interest groups is to SUPPLY ______________
INFORMATION.• Detailed, current information can
build/destroy a legislator/lobbyist relationship.
• Most effective on _______, technical issues
Lobbyingpersuading political leaders to support the groups
position
• ______________ – activities include:• Congressional testimony • Provide expert information
• Executive – so many potential access points – Pres, staff, and bureaucracy
• The ____________• Direct sponsorship or filing of amicus curiae briefs• Influence nominations to federal courts
Political Cues
• Officials need political cues regarding what ___________ are at stake and how that fits with their own political beliefs.
• So groups may establish informal _________ based on their general political ideology.
• Rating systems are intended to generate support or ______________ for legislators.
Public Support
• Face to face contact between lobbyist and __________ or staff most common.
• ____________ mobilization can impact policies passed/defeated in Congress.
• Politicians dislike ___________ so they tend to work with interest groups that they agree with.
Money and PACS
• Money is the _________ influential way to affect politics.
• FECA 1973/1974:• 1) restricted amounts interests can give
to _______________.• 2) made it legal for corporations and
unions to create __________.
Rapid Growth of PACS
• More money available to all candidates
• Members (Congress) are establishing their own PACS to further their own causes.
• Over 1/2 of PACS are sponsored by
_________________.
Who gets the money?
• ___________ get the most PAC money.
• Labor PACS give almost exclusively to _______________.
• Business PACS are __________.
• Democrats usually receive more _____ money.
Revolving Door
• This term refers to those who work for the ____________ and then PACS and vice versa.
• Can sometimes lead to ______________.
Regulating Interest Groups
• They are protected by the _______ amendment.• 1995 Lobbying Act:• 1) requires _________ twice a year to
include client names, expenditures, and issues
• 2) ______ Department may investigate.
Summary
• Interest groups have a _____________ influence on policy because the average citizen does not pay attention.
• The more narrow the issue, the more __________ they have, including being asked to help draw up legislation to be proposed to Congress, and aid in the carrying out of that ___________.
