Upload
benedict-sanders
View
221
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
INTEREST GROUPS
Chapter Seven
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Introduction
Interest group: an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers
Lobbyist: organization or individual who attempts to influence legislation and the administrative decisions of government
2
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon
Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville“... in no country of the world has the principle of association been more successfully used or applied to a greater multitude of objectives than in America.”
Interests groups form toSolve civic problemsEstablish social relationshipsRepresent economic or political interests
3
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon
James Madison foresaw importance of multiple organizations in political system Protects minority views Pluralism
Two-thirds of all Americans belong to at least one group
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
4
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon
Interest groups and social movements Demands change in political, economic or social
system Movements indicate first signs of discontent
Women’s suffrage Civil rights movement Immigrant workers and La Raz Human Rights Campaign Occupy movement
5
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Social Movement Interest Groups6
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Interest Groups: A Natural Phenomenon
Why so many? First Amendment
guarantees Federal system
opportunities Racial, ethnic and
religious diversity
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
7
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups?
Unorganized or latent interests Collective good Free rider problem
Solidary incentives Companionship Sense of belonging Association with like-minded people
8
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Why Do Americans Join Interest Groups?
Material incentives Economic well-being and opportunities Protect interests regarding government policy
Purposive incentives Advocate political goals through joint action Advocate social goals through joint action Way to participate in democratic society
9
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Types of Interest Groups
Economic groups (most common type) Business interest groups Agricultural interest groups Labor interest groups Public-employee unions Interest groups of professionals The unorganized poor
10
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Decline in Union Membership, 1948 to Present
11
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Types of Interest Groups
Environmental groups National Audubon
Society Sierra Club National Wildlife
Federation Greenpeace Society
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
12
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Types of Interest Groups
Public-interest groups Nader organizations Other public-interest groups
American Civil Liberties Union League of Women Voters Common Cause MoveOn
13
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Types of Interest Groups
Other interest groups Single-interest interest groups
National Rifle Association PETA AARP
Foreign governments
14
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
“One Issue” Interest Groups15
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
What Makes an Interest Group Powerful?
Size and resources Large number of members paying dues = strong
financial base (AARP) Some are small in number, but have significant
financial resources (Big Pharma) Leadership
Develop effective strategies Charisma and public image
Cohesiveness Motivation and commitment of members is key
16
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Profiles of Power:Four Influential Interest Groups
17
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Profiles of Power:Four Influential Interest Groups
18
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Interest Group Strategies
Access to government officials essential Direct techniques
Lobbying Rating systems Building alliances Campaign assistance
Bipartisan Campaign Finance Act Citizens United v. FEC
19
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
PACS
Political Action Committee They are how interest group directly give money to
a candidate they are regulated-Citizens United We now have super PACs They can spend as much money as they want but
it can't be a direct contribution
20
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Interest Group Strategies
Indirect techniques Generating public pressure
Use of polls “Climate control”
Constituents as lobbyists Unconventional pressure
Boston Tea party March on Washington WTO protests
21
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Regulating Lobbyists
Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946) Results of the 1946 Act
Defined lobbyist Only full-time lobbyists must register
Foreign Agent Registration Act (1938)
22
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Regulating Lobbyists
Reforms of 1995 Lobbyist redefined Stricter registration requirements Semiannual reports Foreign entities must register Excludes grassroots & tax-exempt organizations
23
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Regulating Lobbyists
Recent lobbying scandals Jack Abramoff case Honest Leadership and Open Government Act
(2007) Tighter requirements (but still loopholes) New rules on congressional gifts and trips
24
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Interest Groups and Representative Democracy
Middle-and upper-class bias “Elite within an elite” leadership Most powerful: business, union, trade and
professional groups Public-interest and civil rights groups may
struggle
More elitist than pluralist
25
Copyright © 2014 Cengage LearningCopyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
Interest Groups and Representative Democracy
Interest group influence Not all have equal influence Different combination of resources Public support important Most successful often focus on specific issue
26