Interest Groups

The Role and Reputation of Interest Groups

Defining Interest Groups– An organization of people with shared policy

goal entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals. Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas.

– Political Parties fight election battles, Interest Groups don’t - but they may choose sides.

– Interest Groups are policy specialists, Political Parties are policy generalists.

Click on name to go to that slide.

Theories of Interest Group Politics

Pluralist Theory

Elite Theory

Hyperpluralist Theory

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Pluralism

Definition:– Politics is mainly a competition among groups,

each one pressing for its own preferred policies.– Many centers of power and many diverse,

competing groups.– No group wins or loses all the time.– Groups provide the key link between the people

and the government.

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Pluralism

Continued…– Groups compete– No group becomes too dominate– Groups play by the rules of the game– Groups weak in one resource can rely on

another resource.– Lobbying is open to all, therefore, not a

problem.

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Elitism

Definition:– Societies are divided along class lines and that

an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.

– Numerous groups means nothing, power is not equally divided among them - some have much more.

– The largest corporations hold the most power.

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Elitism

Continued…– The power is strengthened by a system of

interlocking directorates of these corporations and other institutions.

– Corporate elites are willing to lose the minor policy battles, but work to win the major policy issues in their favor.

– Lobbying is a problem because it benefits the few at the expense of the many.

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Hyperpluralism

Definition:– Groups are so strong that government is

weakened. Extreme, exaggerated form of pluralism.

– Iron Triangles keep government from working properly.

– Interest groups have become too powerful since the government tries to serve every interest.

Theories of Interest Group Politics - Hyperpluralism

Continued…– The many subgovernments (iron triangles)

aggravate the process.– When the government tries to please all the

groups, the policies become confusing and contradictory.

– But with more interest groups getting involved, these subgovernments may be dissolving.

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

The Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups– Potential group: All the people who might be

interest group members because they share a common interest.

– Actual group: The part of the potential group consisting of members who actually join.

– Collective group: Something of value that cannot be withheld from a group member

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

– Free-Rider problem: Some people don’t join interest groups because they benefit from the group’s activities without officially joining.

– The bigger the group, the larger the free-rider problem. (Olson’s law of large groups)

– Large groups are difficult to keep organized.

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

– Small groups are better organized and more focused on the group’s goals.

– Thus consumer groups have a difficult time getting significant policy gains - the benefits are spread over the entire population.

– Groups that can provide selective benefits is a way to overcome this problem.

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

Intensity– Single-Issue groups: Groups that focus on a

narrow interest and dislike compromise.– Groups may focus on an emotional issue,

providing them with a psychological advantage.– May be more likely to use protests and other

means of political participation than traditional interest groups that use lobbyists.

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

Financial Resources– Not all groups have equal amounts of money.– Monetary donations usually translate into

access to the politicians - a phone call, a meeting, etc.

– There is a bias towards the wealthier groups.– But, the wealthier groups don’t always win in

the policy arena.

How Groups Try to Shape Policy

Lobbying– “communication by someone other than a

citizen acting on his own behalf, directed to a governmental decisionmaker with the hope of influencing his decision.” (Lester Milbrath)

– Two basic types: Those that are employed by a group, and those that are hired temporarily.

How Groups Try to Shape Policy

– Lobbyists are a source of information.– Lobbyists can help politicians plan political

strategies for legislation.– Lobbyists can help politicians plan political

strategies for reelection campaigns.– Lobbyists can provide ideas and innovations

that can be turned into policies that the politician can take credit for.

How Groups Try to Shape Policy

Electioneering– Direct group involvement in the election

process.– Political Action Committee (PAC): Used by

interest groups to donate money to candidates. – PACs help pay the bill for increasing campaign

costs.– Most PAC money goes to incumbents.

How Groups Try to Shape Policy

Litigation– If an interest group fails in one area, the courts

may be able to provide a remedy.– Interest groups can file amicus curiae briefs in

court cases to support their position.– Class Action lawsuits permit small groups of

people to try and correct a situation on behalf of a much larger group.

How Groups Try to Shape Policy

Going Public– Groups try and cultivate a good public image.– Groups use marketing strategies to influence

public opinion of the group and its issues.– Groups will purchase advertising to motivate

the public about an issue.

Types of Interest Groups

Economic Interests– Labor– Agriculture– Business

Environmental InterestsEquality InterestsConsumer and Public Interest Lobbies

Understanding Interest Groups

Interest Groups and Democracy– A wide open government would force groups to

compete and counterbalance each other.– More groups mean more lobbyists and thus

better democracy to some.– Others argue that groups are not equal and

some get more than they should, which is not good for democracy.

Understanding Interest Groups

Interest Groups and the Scope of Government– Interest groups seek to maintain policies and

programs that benefit them.– Interest groups continue to pressure

government to do more things.– But as the government does more things, does

that cause the formation of more groups?