Interest Groups in the United States

1
Interest Groups in the United States
2
Interest Groups in a Democracy

• Political Pluralism theory of group competition
• a.) individuals organize to promote their common
  interests
• b.) interest groups created represent the
  different interests in a given communityc.)
  governments respond to interest groups
  activities and demands
• d.) public policy reflects the relative balance
  of power among the participating interest groups
  in the political system

3
Interest Groups Historical Development

• Increased formation and political activity of
  interest groups during particular historical
  eras.
• 1.) First wave the post-Civil War era
• 2.) Second wave the Progressive era
• 3.) Third wave the modern era

4
Rise of PACs after the Federal Election Campaign
Act (FECA) Reforms
5
Interest Group Creation and Maintenance

• free-rider problem ? receiving the benefits
  acquired through a collective effort without
  having had to make an individual contribution
• a.) (quasi) public goods versus private goods
• b.) larger groups versus smaller groups
• c.) broader public interest groups versus
  narrow special interest groups

6
A Variety of Interest Groups

• Economic-Interest Groups
• Agricultural groups
• Business and Trade Associations
• Labor Unions
• Professional Associations

• Non-EconomicInterest Groups
• Social and Moral Interest Groups
• Public Interest Groups
• Single-Issue Groups
• Environmental Issues
• Abortion

7
Decreasing Union Membership
8
(No Transcript)
9
The Political Activities of Interest Groups

• Primary Goal of Interest Groups is to Influence
  Public Policy
• 1.) electioneering ? getting involved in various
  ways in the electoral process
• 2.) carrying out lobbying activities
• 3.) remain a visible, constant part of the
  policymaking process

10
(No Transcript)