INTEREST GROUPS Interest Groups the proliferation of interest

INTEREST GROUPS

Interest Groups the proliferation of interest groups n interest group strategies n interest groups and democracy n

The Scope of Interest Groups n socio-demographic – greater diversity, more cleavages – more interest groups n American constitutional system – many points of access for interest groups – many veto points n weakness of political parties – more effective to attempt to influence legislators directly

The Proliferation of Interest Groups and Lobbying n effectiveness – separation of powers – lack of party discipline n external factors – expansion of government – New Politics and public interest groups » feminist movement, environmental movement – conservative interest groups » Christian Coalition, National Taxpayers Union, National Rifle Association

Strategies of Interest Groups lobbying n using electoral politics n – PACs n litigation – groups can turn to the courts if they are not successful in the legislative and executive branches n “going public” -- trying to influence public opinion

Interest Groups and Campaign Finance/Advertising the link between interest groups and elected officials n direct campaign contributions n – PACs n third party advertising – issue advertising

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 – definition of “lobbyist” » people who spend 20% of their professional time lobbying » people who are paid $5, 000+ to lobby in any 6 month period » corporations and groups that spend $20, 000 on lobbying staff in 6 month period

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 – definition of “lobbyist” – disclosure requirements » names of clients » income and expenditure » issues on which they have worked

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 – definition of “lobbyist” – disclosure requirements – non-tax exempt status

Regulating Interest Groups n Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1995 – definition of “lobbyist” – disclosure requirements – non-tax exempt status » charitable organizations that devote a “substantial part” of their activities to “attempting to influence legislation” lose charitable tax-exempt status » e. g. Sierra Club (1968)

The Role of Interest Groups in American Democracy n pluralism – all interests are free to compete – outcome of competition is compromise and moderation » no one group likely to completely dominate – outcome of such competition is some approximation of the general will » if there was sufficient opposition to a given policy, a countervailing interest group would form

The Role of Interest Groups in American Democracy n critiques of pluralism – there isn’t a level playing field » all groups can compete hypothetically but, in reality, the system favours certain interests – focus on group membership undermines the collective capacity of the community as a whole

Interest Groups/Lobbying and Democracy n individual rights – cannot stop individuals from organizing into groups in order to influence the political process n mass participation – other ways to participate in the political process than just voting – HOWEVER, to what degree to interest groups overwhelm/undermine the role of the individual in the political process?