Interest Groups AP Government Linkage Institutions n Linkage

Interest Groups AP Government

Linkage Institutions n Linkage institution: means by which individuals can express preferences regarding development of public policy n Four main linkage institutions – Interest Groups – Elections – Political parties – Media n Viewed as the input agents that result in output (policy) for policy-making institutions

n Definition of interest group: – Organized group of individuals – Share common interest, attitude, or goal – Seek to influence govt & political process to achieve goals (target all branches at all levels) n Founders wary of factions [IGs] – Fed 10 – Many provisions of Constitution aimed at limiting “mischiefs of faction” n Const. encourages competition btwn factions – “ambition to counter ambition”

Interest Groups in America is considered pluralistic – many different groups seeking to secure its members interests n Work outside of the political system, (separate and independent from the actual government structure) n Serve as policy specialists not generalists

Theories of Interest Group Politics n Pluralism – Many different groups seeking to secure its members interests. – Public policies emerge from bargaining and compromises among competing groups. – Sep. of powers in gov’t allows many different points of access/influence – so no one group can dominate. – If an interest group lacks $, their size and intensity can be used to achieve goals.

Theories of Interest Group Politics n Elitism/Power Elite – Small # of rich individuals, powerful corporate interest groups, and large financial institutions dominate key policy areas. § Ex: recent bailouts – ordinary Americans got small stimulus checks; Wall Street Banks got huge federal bailouts.

Theories of Interest Group Politics n Hyperpluralism – Too many interest groups try to influence public policy. – When political leaders try to please so many competing gropus, often times policies are confusing and contradictory.

CHARACTERISTICS of Interest Groups n Forms and features of the group – Geographic distribution, cohesion, intensity, prestige n Membership – Direct payment of dues, no personal criteria n Organization – Access to funds and officials – Board of Directors § Appointment by members, speak for group, legally responsible for group – Staff Members § Lobbying, Fundraising, Research, Member Recruitment

Where does all the power come from?

Sources of IG Power & Success Size: n Smaller groups have organizational benefits over larger groups – Better chance of having “actual” group members n Larger groups encounter free-rider problem b/c they fight for collective goods – Some attempt to compensate by providing selective benefits to active members

Sources of IG Power & Success Intensity of commitment to issue: n Adv. applies to both large & small groups n Politicians more likely to listen to group that is active/committed to an issue – Ex: single-issue group (ex: abortion) Cohesiveness: membership & organization n Leaders; n Formal activists; members in name only organization vs. loose federations

Sources of IG Power & Success Financial resources: n $$ increases IGs’ access to policymakers – Most groups have PACs to donate $ with hope of influencing policy outcome n But $ doesn’t buy a “win” on policy issue – Ex: ’ 96 Tax Reform Act

Interest Groups in Politics n The closer the ties to political issues, personalities and organizations, the more effective the group n Contributions of Interest Groups – provide link to gov't – provide info – encourage participation – stabilize other groups

Goal: Influence Politics n n n Assist in election campaigns Influence judicial appointments Form PACs File amicus curiae briefs and lawsuits Grassroots work (advertise opinion, letter writing, social protests) – A form of pressure-group activity that attempts to involve individuals who contact their representatives directly in an effort to influence policy – Persuading ordinary voters to act as the group’s advocates

Goal: Form Political Action Committees (PACs) n Organizations, formally independent of candidates themselves – channel money from interest groups to political candidates sympathetic to their groups' policy preferences Electioneering experts who aid candidates financially with member support n Blossomed as a result of FECA of 1974 n Buckley v. Valeo created the “PAC man” n Most money goes to incumbents n

Goal: Lobbying n An attempt to influence the shape of legislation coming out of Congress and other rule making bodies – The activities of a group or organization that seeks to influence legislation and persuade political leaders to support the group’s position

Goal: Lobbying n Employs more than 80, 000 in Washington DC alone n Named from days when Congress didn't live in Washington and stayed in boarding homes or hotels where lobbies were only place to catch and attempt to sway to your side n 23 ways for lobbyists and organizations to lobby on the state and national level § Most often they: testify at legislative hearings, contact government officials directly, help draft legislation

Lobbying Congress n Members of Congress are targets of lobbyists n Many lobbyists are former members n Lobbyists work closely with those members who share their interests n The effectiveness of a lobbyist depends on their reputation for fair play and accurate information

Reform Attempts Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1946 n Lobbying Disclosure Act, 1995 n – Employs a strict definition of lobbyist – Requires lobbyists to: § Register with the clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate § Report their clients and issues and the agency or house they lobbied § Estimate the amount they are paid by each client – Makes it easier for watchdog groups to track the lobbying activity

Lobbying the Executive Branch n Has expanded As the scope of federal government has expanded – Many potential access points – Lobbyists seek influence at policy formation and implementation stages. – An especially strong link exists between interest groups and regulatory agencies – Groups often monitor the implementation of the laws or policies they advocated.

Lobbying the Judicial Branch n Can take two forms: – Direct sponsorship – Filing amicus curiae briefs § Brief that informs the court of the group’s policy preferences, generally in guise of legal arguments n Interest groups also attempt to influence who is nominated and placed on the bench.

Types of Interest Groups I. Economic II. Ideological or Single-Issue III. Public Interest IV. Foreign Policy V. NGOs VI. Equality VII. Environmental

Types of Interest Groups n I. Economic – establish standards, better working conditions § Determined by the way people earn a living § Business & professional, labor, agricultural n NAM (National Association of Manufacturers) n American Bankers Association n AFL-CIO n General Motors n AMA (American Medical Association) n ABA (American Bar Association) n National Grange n NEA (National Education Association)

Types of Interest Groups II. Ideological or Single-Issue: n Want gov’t policy consistent with their view, often unwilling to compromise n Often strongly liberal or conservative; occasional centrist group n Ex: Nat’l Right to Life; ACLU; NRA; anti-war groups

Types of Interest Groups III. Public Interest: advocate interests of overall community n Claim to work on broad issues on behalf of all citizens/the public good – Ex: Common Cause, Public Citizen, religious groups, etc n Many are consumer groups – PIRGs (Nader orgs): report on gov’t & corp. action relating to consumer interests

Types of Interest Groups IV. Foreign Policy: influence some area of international affairs – Ex: Council on Foreign Relations, AIPAC V. NGOs (non-governmental organizations) = nonprofit groups outside gov’t, often pursue policy goals & lobby regarding foreign affairs issues – Ex: Greenpeace, Amnesty International

Types of Interest Groups VI. Equality: main policy goal = equal rights in housing, employment, education, etc n Often represents minorities & women – Ex: NAACP; NOW VI. Environmental n Control pollution, combat global warming, protect wilderness, species preservation – Ex: Sierra Club; Environmental Defense Fund Other IGs: veterans’ groups, nationality groups

Problems with Interest Groups n Overrepresentation class of views of privileged

n Utilization of free-rider concept of representation – Benefits go to all in an industry, not just group members Benefits that go to members only (better health care, etc. ) n Reliability of funding sources and sponsorship n Could be double influence (corporations, foundations, etc. ) n

Business Role in Interest Groups n Most large corporations – Have their own governmental affairs department – Employ D. C. -based lobbyists to keep them apprised of legislation – Have given substantial soft money in the past – Still use PACS & 527 s which means they still contribute a great deal of money

Helpful videos n Buckley v. Valeo – https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=d. Jqjq. B 9 m. Tyo n Interest Groups (Cram for the Exam) – https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=o. De. Buh. I Qd. Yk