INTEREST GROUPS

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INTEREST GROUPS
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Why are interest groups sp common?

• Many kinds of cleavages in the country mean that
  there are many different interests.
• Constitution provides many access points to the
  government (federalism)
• Political parties are weak so interests work
  directly on government.

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History of Interest Groups

• 70 of interest groups have an office in
  Washington D.C.
• 1800s- religious association, antislavery groups,
  trade unions
• 1900s- business associations, charitable
  organizations
• 1960s- environmental groups, consumer groups

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Factors explaining the rise of interest groups

• 1)Broad economic developments create new
  interests, redefine old interests
• 2)Government policies- ex wars create veterans
  who demand benefits
• 3)Emergence of strong leaders usually from a
  social movement
• Ex civil rights, anti-war movements

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Types of Organizations

• Interest group- any organization that seeks to
  influence public policy
• Types
• 1) business- most powerful
• 2) unions- most declining
• 3) social, professional, charitable
• Americans have great sense of efficacy, much more
  likely to join an interest group when compared to
  other nations.

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Incentives to Join

• 1) solidary incentives- pleasure, companionship
• Organized as coalitions of small local units
• Ex NAACP, Rotary, Parent-Teacher Association,
  American Legion
• 2) material incentives- , services
• Ex AARP, farm organizations

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Incentives to Join

• Purposive incentives- goal/purpose of the
  organization itself
• This group also benefits non-members..these
  people are called free riders.
• Public Interest groups- usually created to
  benefit those who are not represented by interest
  groups.

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Social Movements

• Definition- a widely shared demand for change in
  the social or political order.
• Movements may spawn many organizations.
• More extreme organizations will be smaller and
  more activist.
• More moderate organizations will be larger and
  less activist.

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Funds for interest groups

• 1) membership fees
• 2) foundation/federal grants
• 3) direct mail
• a) unique to modern interest groups
• b) computers allow groups to
  specialize audience.
• c) very expensive - need at least 2
  return to be effective.

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Direct mail techniques

• 1) teaser on envelope
• 2) letter arouses emotions
• 3) famous-name endorsement
• 4) personalization of letter

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Facts about interest groups

• 1) those who are more affluent are more likely to
  join and be active.
• 2) business/professional groups are more numerous
  and better financed.
• 3) Minorities, consumers, and the disadvantaged
  are slighted by the interest groups.

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Interest Groups in Action

• The most important tactic of interest groups is
  to SUPPLY CREDIBLE INFORMATION.
• Detailed, current information can build/destroy a
  legislator/lobbyist relationship.
• Most effective on narrow,technical issues

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Political Cues

• Officials need political cues regarding what
  values are at stake and how that fits with their
  own political beliefs.
• So groups may establish informal coalitions based
  on their general political ideology.
• Rating systems are intended to generate support
  or opposition for legislators.

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Public Support

• Face to face contact between lobbyist and
  legislator or staff most common.
• Grassroots mobilization can impact policies
  passed/defeated in Congress.
• Politicians dislike controversy so they tend to
  work with interest groups that they agree with.

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Money and PACS

• Money is the least influential way to affect
  politics.
• FECA 1973/1974
• 1) restricted amounts interests can give to
  candidates.
• 2) made it legal for corporations and unions to
  create PACS.

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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 corporations.

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Who gets the money?

• Incumbents get the most PAC money.
• Labor PACS give almost exclusively to Democrats.
• Business PACS are split.
• Democrats usually receive more PAC money.

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Revolving Door

• This term refers to those who work for the
  government and then PACS and vice versa.
• Can sometimes lead to corruption.

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Regulating Interest Groups

• They are protected by the 1st amendment.
• 1995 Lobbying Act
• 1) requires reports twice a year to include
  client names, expenditures, and issues
• 2) Justice Department may investigate.

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Summary

• Interest groups have a disproportionate influence
  on policy because the average citizen does not
  pay attention.
• The more narrow the issue, the more influence
  they have, including being asked to help draw up
  legislation to be proposed to Congress, and aid
  in the carrying out of that policy.