Agenda 1 Review Winter Break Assignment 2 Interest

Agenda: 1. Review Winter Break Assignment 2. Interest Groups Notes 3. Interest Groups Book 4. HW: graphs and charts for Chapter 11 Special Interest Groups Lobbying and PACs- Chapter 11

Special Interest Groups n An organized group of people with a policy goal who enter into the political process to try to get the goals met What is the name of your interest group? What is their policy goal?

Main Theories of Interest Groups n Pluralist Theory: interest groups are good because they give everyone a voice; n there are lots of competing groups but they balance each other out and compromise; n no one group is likely to become dominant n

n Elite theory. Most interest groups are insignificant n The ones that represent the biggest corporations and industries have the most power n They are all “interlocked” and look out for each other n n Hyperpluralism. Pluralism (lots of groups) is out of control n The government is trying to please everyone so we wind up with: n Conflicting policy n Skyrocketing budget n Policy gridlock n

Which theory do you most agree with? Why?

Iron Triangles n The Relationship between: Key interest group leaders interested in policy X n Government agency in charge of policy x n Members of Congress who are handling policy x n n They all work together to protect their interest. (getting “X” passed)

How do interest groups shape policy? n n Lobbying- political persuasion to achieve goal (bill passed or killed) Electioneering- aiding candidates to office financially and then getting them to support your members Litigation- use the court system to influence Congress; filing lawsuits or amicus curiae briefs Appealing to the public- commercials, radio ads etc. to get the public behind them

n How has your group carried out these four tasks to shape policy?

PAC’s n n A legal way for an interest group to provide money to parties and campaigns Heavily used in Congressional campaigns The assumption is that if you take their money you will “help them” once you get the job PAC’s can donate much more money than an individual could

Types of Interest Groups n n Economic Issue Groups (labor, business) Environmental Interest Groups (environment, animals, energy) Equality Interest Groups (women, minorities) Consumer and Public Interest (regulating product manufacturing, speaking for “those who can’t speak for themselves”)

Lobbying Our government is a supportive environment for interest groups n Interests can benefit in having influence over federal policies & programs n Lobbying: efforts of groups to influence public policy through contact with public officials n

What is a lobbyist? n They are the primary instruments for fostering a special interest groups goals to the policymakers n n Negative publicity: govt. officials becoming and viceversa Positives: specialists to Congress, create coalitions, take legal action for group, provide official ratings, use the media to exercise viewpoint

Interest Groups Book n n n Page 1 - What are they and what do they do? Page 2 - Are they good or bad? (t-chart) Page 3 - Theories on Interest Groups (define Pluralist, Elite, Hyperpluralist) n n Page 4 - How do they shape policy? (Lobbying, Electioneering, Litigation, Appealing to the Public) Page 5 - Iron Triangle Page 6 - PAC’s Types of Interest Groups

Inside Lobbying n n n Direct communication between organized interests and policy makers- value of close contacts Bribes do survive, but tend to be more subtle Many are former members of Congress The targets are all branches of government lobbying is generally most effective on narrow, technical issues that are not wellpublicized

Inside Lobbying: the 3 branches Legislative branch: both groups and members of Congress can gain, fair play and aboveboard approach are best: “ 3 rd house of Congress” n Executive agencies: Bureaucrats are key targets- administrative and policy decisions. Ex. Regulatory Agencies! n The Courts: trying to influence selection of federal judges, lawsuits, amicus curiae n

n n n Should their be regulations on lobbying? 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (too many loopholes!) Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 Tightened up registration and disclosure requirements and restrictions on gifts and expenses Congress receives

Lobbying. Good or Bad? - + n n Provides info to govt. Representation by interest Linkage mechanism 1 st amendment right! n n Rich and powerful overrepresented National interests sacrificed!

What is an Iron Triangle? Small and informal, yet STABLE set of bureaucrats, legislators, and lobbyists who seek to develop policies n Inside track to legislators and bureaucrats (ironclad) n

Issue Networks More common pattern of influence today n Informal grouping of officials, lobbyists, and policy specialists who are brought together temporarily by an issue n Ex: participants coming together over the issue of forest being opened to logging n

Outside Lobbying A form of lobbying in which an interest group seeks to use public pressure as a means of influencing public officials n Making use of constituency connections n Forms: grassroots lobbying (AARP), votes and PAC money n

Political Action Committees The organization through which an interest group raises and distributes funds for elections (candidates) n Must be voluntary contributions n The amount of contributions has skyrocketed, but downward trend n Calls for reform (Common Cause): dominated by rich, business, n The FECA passed + Mc-Cain-Feingold n

The biggest contenders: The Assoc. of Trial Lawyers of America PAC n International Brotherhood of Elec. Workers n The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees n

What has happened to the number of PACs? There has been explosive growth n In 1974 = 600, today = 4100+ n Why? n Legislation intending to prevent a few wealthy from buying elections n This opened up contributions to the masses (represented by PACs) n

Discussion: Why might business PACs be so numerous? What is the effect?

Legislation effects… FECA of 1974 and ex. Of this type of legislation n Currently, $5000 limit per candidate w/NO overall cap! n PACs can contribute much more than indiv. n More of their money goes to Congressional than presidential funds n

PAC funds between the two: What obstacles to challengers face?