Pluralism

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Pluralism

• The Rolling Stones Version of Politics

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Interest Group Pluralism

• By a faction I understand a number of citizens,
  whether amounting to a majority or minority of
  the whole, who are united and actuated by some
  common impulse of passion, or of interest,
  adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to
  the permanent and aggregate interests of the
  community.
• --James Madison, Federalist 10

• James Madisons Federalist 10 provides a basis
  for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of
  interest group politics in the United States.

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• Madison believed that by expanding the number of
  factions in a society, you could render factions
  less dangerous to the rights of others or the
  interests of the community.

• Pluralism
• the theory that all interests are and should
  be free to compete for influence in the
  government, with an outcome of compromise and
  moderation

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• Pluralists argued that interest groups
• Represent many diverse interests in society
• Provide expert information and perspectives that
  improve policy-making

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• Critics of pluralism argued that interest
  groups
• Over-represent the wealthy in society
• Provide self-serving and biased information that
  warp policy making

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Insert Figure 11.1 here
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The Proliferation of Groups

• The expansion of government has helped spark the
  proliferation of interest groups, both those in
  favor of new government activities and those
  opposed.

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What they do and how they do it

• Electoral connection
• Congressional connection
• Insider Strategies Gaining Access
• Lobbying officials
• providing expert analysis
• Outsider Strategies Agenda Setting
• Influencing thoughts, actions, votes of public
• Engaging in direct action
• astro-turf lobbying

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Insert Figure 11.2 here
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Pluralism Reconsidered

• The flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the
  heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper class
  accent.
• --E.E. Schattsneider

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• The Federal Election Commission estimates that
  PACs spent 77.8 million in 1977-78.
• By 1989-90, PAC spending had increased to 357.5
  million.
• In 2003-04, PAC spending reached 915.7 million.

• Interest group-affiliated PACs have grown in
  number and influence in the last quarter-century
  of American politics.

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Insert Figure 11.4 here
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Campaign Finance Law

• The law

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• Hyperpluralism what is it and who cares?
• Lessons from Lobbying the Congress