INTEREST GROUPS AND THE BUREAUCRACYIB TOK 1/Gov

Ms. Halle Bauer

What are interest groups?

Interest Group: An organization of people with a common goal or interest that lobbies to influence policy decisions Institutional Interests: Organizations that

represent other organizations and institutions General Motors, Chamber of Commerce

Membership Interests: Organizations of individual members with common political goals NAACP, NRA When entire public benefits (not just members):

public-interest lobby

Why interest groups?

There is a diversity of interests and opinions in America

American government is set up to give groups the opportunity to influence policy Interest groups are protected as a form of political

speech Our laws permit private organizations and

nonprofit organizations to have tax-exempt status OR lobby for their interests National Organization for Women

Our political parties leave something to be desired…

What do interest groups do?

Supply updated information on policy issues to lawmakers

Give political cues to officials by describing how policy changes will affect the public and how the issue fits in with the political party platform and agenda

Make ratings to influence public opinion of lawmakers

Public opinion polls Encouraging

constituents to write to their Congressmen

Writing editorials supporting the interest group’s position

So what is “credible”

information?

Provide Credible Information

How?

What do interest groups do?

Try to influence policy on particular issues by encouraging lawmakers to vote one way or the other on the issue at hand

What kind of knowledge is most

persuasive?

PACs: Political Action Committees aligned with interest groups can spend money to influence legislatures

Protests: Sit-ins, marches, picketing

Persuade Legislators How?

How are interest groups funded?

Foundation grants Federal grants

and contracts Federal grants

support projects that the group sponsors, not the lobbying itself

Mailings to supporters Appeal to

emotions

Grants Solicitation

• Over 50% interest groups represent corporate interests

• 1/3 of interest groups are professional organizations

• 4% of interest groups are public-interest groups

• 2% of interest groups represent civil or minority rights

Who do interest groups represent?

THE BUREAUCRACYA large, complex organization of appointed officials

What is the bureaucracy?

A large, complex organization of appointed officials Congress and the President both have

authority over the American bureaucracy Federal agencies work with state and local

agencies to ensure laws are carried out properly

Government by proxy: Lawmakers use the bureaucracy to staff and administer federal programs and do the work of the laws

What does today’s bureaucracy look like?

The Great Depression paved the way for greater government involvement in economic and social problems

WWII required more bureaucracy to oversee the war effort

9/11 created a new department (Homeland Security)

Merit: Competitive Service Exam

Civil servants who align with President’s views Cabinet, judges,

ambassadors Confidential positions

(aides) Noncareer executive

assignments (policy)

History Recruitment

What does today’s bureaucracy look like?

56% Male 44% Female 69% White 31% Racial

Minorities

Laws restrict ability to hire, fire, build, sell

Congress typically assigns several agencies to one job

As a result… Government is slow to

act Agencies are

inconsistent “Red tape”

Demographics (2004) Constraints

Then: The Iron Triangle

Now: An Issue Network

How does Congress oversee the bureaucracy?

Congress approves every agency All money spent by agencies is first approved

by Congress (power of the purse) Authorization legislation sets spending limits on

programs Approved funds must be appropriated for a

specific purpose House Appropriations Committee approves each

agency’s budget Except when trust funds are used for public benefits

(SS)

How does Congress oversee the bureaucracy?

Legislative veto: Congress would block Presidential actions by voting them down before they took effect Ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Congressional investigations: Congress can investigate an agency’s decisions and outcomes

Is red tape always negative?

What knowledge issues are important in the federal bureaucracy?

Is our bureaucracy a “fourth branch” of government?