INTEREST GROUPS
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Transcript of INTEREST GROUPS
INTEREST GROUPSWhat Are They? What Interests
are represented?
How are they organized?
Characteristics of Members
Strategies: The Quest for Political Power
Interest Groups Interest: an attitude, value, or
preference with some relevance to public policy
Groups of people who share a common concern that further their interests within the framework of government
HOW DO INTEREST GROUPS EXERCISE INFLUENCE?
A. Organization B. Strategies/Characteristics
Organization(effectiveness = size, intensity, financial
resources) 1. Membership lists 2. Elected officers 3. Dues/Treasury 4. Paid staff
Why don’t some people organize? re: Mancur Olson
a. Shared attitude may not be important. e.g: pro gun control
b. Collective good; e.g., higher prices for all dairy farmers; higher wages for all workers of employer
c. Free ridership...don't pay dues, write congress, etc…still get benefit
Organizations’ Response to problems
compel membership exaggerate threat take credit for successes secondary benefits
Strategies: Quest for Political Power
A. Lobbying v. Gaining Access B. Litigation C. Going Public/Public
Relations/Protest D. Electoral Politics Bribery?
Lobbying Strategy
1. Defined --making your views known to government
2. Who is lobbied? a. Legislative executive and judicial b. Where are decisions made? c. where can you be effective? d. Where will your members notice?
Who are the lobbyists?
b. Law firms (respectability) c. Public relations firms (versatility) d. Political consultants e. Ex-Decision makers: congress,
executive branch know how system works, friends on
inside
Restrictions on lobbying
a. Lobbying viewed suspiciously b. But, 1st freedoms…speech,
petition c. Cannot, should not outlaw lobbying d. Public exposure: Register and
report expenditures ..FEC
Gaining Access Strategy
Iron Triangles/subgovernments – (re: hyperpluralism)
Issue Networks PACs
Litigation strategy
Direct action Help Finance Filing amicus curiae briefs
Public Relations Strategy (Going Public?)- Goals:
a. Create a favorable climate of opinion
b. Mobilize people to contact Congress on specific legislation
2. Going Public - Effectiveness depends on:
a. How much they spend? b. How long they spend? c. Whether we have an alternative
source of information
Protest Strategy (Going Public?)
1. Typically used by lower income groups and outgroups
a. Doctors rarely b. CEO never 2. How effective is protest? 3. Illegal forms
Protest Strategy -Illegal forms
a. Blocking traffic b. Trespassing c. Disrupting government functions Illegal protest has a long tradition
in US, butyou have to be willing to pay the price
Electoral Politics Strategy (Electioneering) & PACs
1. Used to be Labor PAC--Congress of Political Equality (COPE) was dominant PAC
b. Money & volunteer workers & campaign managers
c. In some areas it was the Democratic Party
Electoral Politics Strategy
2. Federal law a. Can't spend corporate or union
treasury to help b. Can't force employees or union
members to contribute money or time
Legal Changes - Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
Running for Senate (NY) Buckley attacks dollar limits on Freedom of Speech
b. Supreme Court 1. limit contributions -- OK 2. limit expenditures -- NO
PROBLEMS
A. Negative Campaign 1980 PACs uncoordinated Since then candidates pick up People say they don't believe in
negative campaigns – (T/F?)… may affect turnout
Problems/Dilemma
B. Most money goes to incumbents 1. Influential incumbents 2. When Democrats were the majority --
most went to them; and vice versa 3. Is this selling votes?
Tendencies in system
Democrats/Republicans as Minority/Majority in Congress
Campaign Financing Reforms