Section 1 Interest Groups 10 Role of Interest

Section 1

Interest Groups 10

Role of Interest Groups 10. 1 Interest groups pursue policy goals Different from political parties n Do not run candidates n Policy specialists, not generalists 25, 000 interest groups Technology aids lobbying Developments in electronic communications have made it easier for interest groups to reach both policy makers and the public.

10. 1 How many interest groups are there in the United States? a. 5, 000 b. 25, 000 c. 100, 000 d. 50, 000 10. 1

10. 1 How many interest groups are there in the United States? a. 5, 000 b. 25, 000 c. 100, 000 d. 50, 000 10. 1

Section 2

Theories of Interest Group Politics Do interest groups help or hinder government in America? In this section we’ll look at three theories that each take a different view of the benefits or harm of interest groups. Pluralism Elitism Hyperpluralism 10. 2

Pluralism Positive view of Interest Groups Group theory of politics n n n Groups No one Groups link people and government compete group likely to become dominant play by the rules of the game weak in one resource can use another Concessions n Some groups stronger than others n All interests do not get equal hearing 10. 2

Elitism 10. 2 In contrast to the pluralists who see many groups competing on a relatively equal footing, elitists observe that these groups are vastly unequal in their power and influence. Elitism is the dominant view of interest group politics today Real power held by a few 78% of Americans share this view Interlocking directorates

Video: In the Real World 10. 2 http: //media. pearsoncmg. com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg 5_Interest. Groups_v 2. html

Hyperpluralism 10. 2 Like pluralists, hyperpluralists see many groups competing on a relatively equal footing for government attention. But unlike pluralists, hyperpluralists don’t see good governance as the result. Because government seeks to appease all interests, policies proliferate. Budgets increase, and more programs and regulations are created. Interest group liberalism n Groups out of control n Government tries to appease all of them Budgets, programs, regulations expand Iron triangles Basically, hyperpluralists see the selfish competition of groups for promulgation of policies that narrowly benefit their interests as leading to contradictory and confusing policy results.

10. 2 Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively? a. Elitism b. Hyperpluralism c. Pluralism d. None of the above 10. 2

10. 2 Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively? a. Elitism b. Hyperpluralism c. Pluralism d. None of the above 10. 2

Section 3

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? 10. 3 Why are some interest groups more successful than others? The size, intensity, and financial resources of an interest group all contribute to the likelihood of its achieving its goals.

Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups Smaller groups have advantage n Easier to organize Potential group to Actual group n Collective good n Free-rider problem n more of a problem for larger groups than smaller ones Selective benefits One way that large groups can overcome the freerider problem is to offer selective benefits, that is, some sort of reward for joining the group that’s unavailable to nonmembers. 10. 3

Intensity 10. 3 Psychological advantage Single-issue groups n On the rise n Dislike compromise n Abortion is an example of a policy issue that’s spawned many single-issue groups on both sides of the policy debate

Financial Resources 10. 3 System is biased toward wealthy mainly because of the cost of political campaigns n 2008 federal elections cost $5 billion n Donations lead to access But $$$ does not always lead to lobbying success n Other side contributes, too

10. 3 Why does money not always lead to 10. 3 lobbying success? a. Other side can also make contributions b. Campaign contributions are too restricted to make a significant difference c. Most groups cannot afford to buy politicians d. Most politicians refuse to accept interest group contributions

10. 3 Why does money not always lead to 10. 3 lobbying success? a. Other side can also make contributions b. Campaign contributions are too restricted to make a significant difference c. Most groups cannot afford to buy politicians d. Most politicians refuse to accept interest group contributions

How Groups Try to Shape Policy 10. 4 Interest groups use four main strategies to achieve their policy goals: Lobbying Electioneering Litigation Going Public Groups vary in which strategies dominate, but most use multiple tactics in pursuit of their policy goals.

Lobbying 10. 4 Two types of lobbyists n Full-time employee n Temporary employee n Often former legislators Why do Congressmen listen to lobbyists? n Lobbyists provide specialized expertise n Lobbyists help with political & campaign strategy n Lobbyists provide ideas

FIGURE 10. 1: Industries’ big spenders on lobbying, 2009 -2011 10. 4

NRA 10. 4

Electioneering 10. 4 Aiding candidates financially and getting group members to support them. Getting out the vote PACs n $5, 000 limit in primary and general election n Mainly support incumbents Some people think that PAC money makes candidates beholden to wealthy interest groups. Today, many candidates receive the majority of their campaign money from PACs. Should PACs be eliminated?

Explore Interest Groups: Can Interest Groups Buy Public Policy? 10. 4 http: //media. pearsoncmg. com/long_edwards_mpslgi a_16/pex 10. html

Litigation Lawsuits are another strategy employed by interest groups. If they fail in Congress or the White House, they can appeal to the courts to rule in their favor Suing for enforcement n Environmental regulations n Civil rights groups – 1950 s Amicus curiae briefs Class action lawsuits 10. 4

Going Public 10. 4 Public opinion influences policy makers Mobilize public opinion urging supporters to send postcards or emails to legislators or sign petitions that demonstrate the extent of support or opposition to a policy. Public relations

Interest group ad 10. 4 Interest groups spent more than $100 million appealing to public opinion during the debate over health care in 1994. In a counter-ad produced by the Democratic National Committee, the argument was made that opponents of the Clinton health care plan were using scare tactics.

10. 4 On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic? a. Lobbying b. Litigation c. Electioneering d. Going public 10. 4

10. 4 On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic? a. Lobbying b. Litigation c. Electioneering d. Going public 10. 4

Explore the Simulation: You Are a Lobbyist 10. 4 http: //media. pearsoncmg. com/long_longman_media _1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation. html? simula. URL=16

Section 5

Types of Interest Groups Economic interests Environmental interests Equality interests Consumer and other public interest lobbies 10. 5

Economic Interests 10. 5 Economic policies cause worry for business, labor, and farm interests. They fret over taxes, subsidies, and regulations. Labor n n Unions 12% Closed shop versus “right-to-work” As blue-collar manufacturing jobs have declined in the U. S. , union power and membership have fallen, but some white collar and public sector jobs have become unionized.

Wisconsin collective bargaining fight 10. 5

Economic Interests Business interests have the wealthiest and most powerful lobbying groups. They have the largest number of PACs and make the most contributions Business n Dominate lobbying and PACs Business interests not monolithic n Policy differences among industries n Will give to who's in power 10. 5

FIGURE 10. 2: How corporate PACs have shifted toward the majority party 10. 5

Environmental Interests Sprang up since 1970 n More than 10, 000 groups with $2. 9 billion revenue Profound policy impact n Influential due to numbers, not money n Usual appeals to your emotions 10. 5

Save the polar bear 10. 5 Some interest groups use unconventional methods to get attention for their views and demands. The environmental activist group Greenpeace is well known for coming up with activities the media can hardly ignore. Do these attention-grabbing tactics work to influence citizens to get elected officials to hear their demands?

Equality Interests Fourteenth Amendment guarantees Minorities n NAACP/Brown v. Board of Education (1954) n Social welfare policies Women n National Organization for Women (NOW) n Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Proposal 10. 5

Consumer and Other Public Interest Lobbies Policies in the public interest n Collective goods n Free rider problem What exactly is the public interest? Each public interest group believes it knows what’s in the public interest, but some religious groups believe they’re acting in the public interest when they seek to impose their moral views on everyone. 10. 5

Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist 10. 5 http: //media. pearsoncmg. com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg 4_Interest. Groups_v 2. html

10. 5 Which interest groups are the best funded? a. Economic groups b. Environmental groups c. Consumer groups d. Women’s rights groups 10. 5

10. 5 Which interest groups are the best funded? a. Economic groups b. Environmental groups c. Consumer groups d. Women’s rights groups 10. 5

SECTION 6

Understanding Interest Groups 10. 6 So, we have a bit of a conundrum about interest groups. A free society must allow for the representation of all groups that seek to influence political decision making, yet groups are usually more concerned with their own selfinterest than with the needs of society as a whole. For democracy to work well, it’s important that groups not be allowed to assume a dominant position. Do interest groups have a dominant position in the United States today?

Interest Groups and Democracy Does pluralism prevail? n Growth in number of interest groups n Less clout for any one group Interest group corruption? n Business PACs n Wealthy groups dominate Hyperpluralists would argue that the formation of so many interest groups has led to policy gridlock. 10. 6

Interest Groups and the Scope of Government Individualistic and associational Difficult to reduce spending Vicious circle n Groups lead to policy n Policy prompts new groups to form 10. 6

10. 6 What do hyperpluralists see as a problem with the proliferation of interest groups? a. They do not see a problem with large numbers of groups b. They think too many groups competing will lead to policy gridlock c. They believe that a few groups will triumph over all the others d. None of the above 10. 6

10. 6 What do hyperpluralists see as a problem with the proliferation of interest groups? a. They do not see a problem with large numbers of groups b. They think too many groups competing will lead to policy gridlock c. They believe that a few groups will triumph over all the others d. None of the above 10. 6

Discussion Question 10 What are three main theories of interest group politics? Which theory do you think provides the most accurate explanation for how interest groups interact with government in the U. S. today?

Video: So What? 10 http: //media. pearsoncmg. com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch 10_Interest_Groups_S eg 6_v 2. html

Further Review: On My. Poli. Sci. Lab Listen to the Chapter Study and Review the Flashcards Study and Review the Practice Tests 10