Interest Groups are one of three main linkage institutions. Interest Groups Media Political Parties LINKAGE INSTITUTIONS An entity that links the people to the government. Also links the government to the people. WHAT IS A L.I.? express group members preferences to policy makers Convey policy information to group members raise and spend money to advocate for the interest of the group with policymakers. Inform policy makers of issues WHAT DO INTEREST GROUPS DO? Letterwriting Campaign activities Lobbying Grass roots organizations Litigation Media campaigns Disseminating information to the public about government affairs. HOW DO THEY DO THIS? Lobbyists inform members of Congress on certain issues, what people want, and provide money for upcoming elections. LOBBYING Political Action Committees Parts of the interest groups that raise money to give to candidates. PACS In charge of monitoring money. Allowed for PACS to give unlimited amounts of money: soft money. FEC Federal Elections Campaign Act 1971: cannot say vote for or vote against (issue advocacy) 1971 Groups instead bash or promote candidates without those words. FECA Bipartisan Campagin reform act--McCain Feingold Bill Limited ads 60 days before general election, and 30 days before a primary. BCRA Bans corporations and unions from giving soft money. BCRA does not regulate what groups can do by phone, mail or in person. BCRA continued. PACS $5000 per election PACS $10,000 per election cycle (primary and general elctions) $4,000 per individual MONEY LIMITATIONS Political Parties got around this through the use of soft money SOFT MONEY Street in Washington D.C. filled with think tanks, interest/advocacy groups and lobbying firms. K STREET Landmark case that will not be updated on the AP exam, so stick with the old!!!!!! Says corporations are people, cannot prohibit free speech before elections. CITIZENS UNITED VS. FEC Citizens United wanted to air before elections. BCRA/McCain Feingold says no Supreme Court says yes: cannot limit free speech of citizens or their arms for communication. HILLARY THE MOVIE A mutually dependent relationship among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees and government agencies that share a common policy concern. IRON TRIANGLES Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies regulating interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern. REVOLVING DOOR