Chapter Eleven Interest Groups Why Interest Groups are

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Chapter Eleven Interest Groups

Chapter Eleven Interest Groups

Why Interest Groups are Common • Interest group: any organization that seeks to influence

Why Interest Groups are Common • Interest group: any organization that seeks to influence public policy Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 2

Incentives to Join • Solidary incentives—pleasure, companionship • Material incentives—money, things, services • Purposive

Incentives to Join • Solidary incentives—pleasure, companionship • Material incentives—money, things, services • Purposive incentives—goal/purpose of the organization itself Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 3

Funds for Interest Groups • Foundation grants – One study found that 1/3 of

Funds for Interest Groups • Foundation grants – One study found that 1/3 of public interest lobbying groups received more than half of all their funds from foundation grants • Federal grants and contracts Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 4

Funds for Interest Groups • Direct mail: through the use of computers, mail is

Funds for Interest Groups • Direct mail: through the use of computers, mail is sent directly to a specialized audience • But this approach is also expensive—it must generate checks from at least 2 percent of the people contacted Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 5

Money and PACs • Ideological PACs raise more money, but raising the money also

Money and PACs • Ideological PACs raise more money, but raising the money also consumes it, so less is available to give to campaigns and candidates • In 2003 -2004, unions and business or professional organizations gave the most • Incumbents get the most PAC money Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 6

Table 11. 3: Spending by Political Action Committees (PACs), 2003 -2004* Copyright © Houghton

Table 11. 3: Spending by Political Action Committees (PACs), 2003 -2004* Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 7

Activities of Interest Groups • Supplying credible information is the single most important tactic

Activities of Interest Groups • Supplying credible information is the single most important tactic of interest groups • Some groups try for grassroots support • Legislative Ratings • Money Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 8

Money and PACs • PAC: a committee set up to raise and spend money

Money and PACs • PAC: a committee set up to raise and spend money on campaigns and candidates • Money is the least effective way to influence politicians Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 9

Money and Influence • There is no systematic evidence that PAC money influences votes

Money and Influence • There is no systematic evidence that PAC money influences votes in Congress • Most members vote in line with their ideology and with their constituents Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10

Money and Influence • PAC money may influence politics in other ways, like access

Money and Influence • PAC money may influence politics in other ways, like access or committee actions Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 11

Regulating Interest Groups • A 1995 act provided a broader definition of lobbying and

Regulating Interest Groups • A 1995 act provided a broader definition of lobbying and tightened reporting requirements • Tax code; nonprofits lose tax-exempt status if a “substantial part” of their activities involve lobbying • Campaign-finance laws limit donations by individual PACs Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 12

Why Interest Groups are Common • The Constitution provides many access points to government

Why Interest Groups are Common • The Constitution provides many access points to government • Political parties are weak so interests work directly on government Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 13

Interest Groups Chapter 7 Interest Groups Interest groupsInterest Groups Chapter 7 Interest Groups Interest groups
Interest Groups Interest Groups Key Concepts Interest groupsInterest Groups Interest Groups Key Concepts Interest groups
Interest Groups How Interest Groups Work Interest GroupsInterest Groups How Interest Groups Work Interest Groups
Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups Interest GroupsInterest Groups Types of Interest Groups Interest Groups
Chapter Eleven Interest Groups An interest group alsoChapter Eleven Interest Groups An interest group also
INTEREST GROUPS 1 What Are Interest Groups InterestINTEREST GROUPS 1 What Are Interest Groups Interest
8 Interest Groups 8 1 Interest Groups Interest8 Interest Groups 8 1 Interest Groups Interest
INTEREST GROUPS Interest Groups the proliferation of interestINTEREST GROUPS Interest Groups the proliferation of interest
INTEREST GROUPS AP Government INTEREST GROUPS Interest GroupINTEREST GROUPS AP Government INTEREST GROUPS Interest Group
Chapter 11 Interest Groups Why are Interest GroupsChapter 11 Interest Groups Why are Interest Groups
Interest Groups Chapter 12 CHAPTER 12 INTEREST GROUPSInterest Groups Chapter 12 CHAPTER 12 INTEREST GROUPS
Chapter 8 Interest Groups Chapter 8 Interest GroupsChapter 8 Interest Groups Chapter 8 Interest Groups