interest groups

Interest Groups

Interest group defined

Interest group- an organization of people whose members share policy views on specific issues & attempt to influence public policy to their benefit

How interest groups link citizens to government

1. Express members’ views to government policymakers

2. Convey government policy to group members

3. Raise and spend money to influence policymakers

Fundamental goals for interest groups

1. Gain access to policymakers2. Influence public policy3. Support sympathetic policymakers

Interest group strategies

Lobbying- process by which interest groups attempt to influence the decision of policymakers

Lobbying efforts are most successful when the issue is considered “small” by the general public (yet important by members of the interest group) and low in public visibility


Contributing money to candidates/campaignsAka- Political Action Committees Key for Congress PACs give money to candidates/office

holders/parties they support (top spenders) Nearly 5,000 registered PACs Significant factor in incumbent advantage

Contribute to members sitting on committees that affect the interest group


Lobbying Congress #1 method- provide members of Congress with

information on technical issues Testify before congressional committees Assist in drafting legislation Link influential constituents with members of

Congress to discuss policy Meet with congressional aides 30,000+ lobbyists in Washington, 1000s more in

state capitals


Lobbying the executive branch Hard to get access to the president Present point of view with executive

branch staff most connected to the issue Ex.- Cabinet departments

Focus on establishing access to bureaucratic departments/agencies Ex.- Defense contractors -> Dept. of Defense


Lobbying the courts Courts seen often as the great equalizer

NAACP & civil rights legislation Litigation- taking an issue to court Provide amicus curiae briefs for cases of interest Cannot provide financial incentives to federal

judges Play a role in influencing who is nominated to

federal courts


Shaping public opinion Undertake expensive public relations

campaigns to bring an issue to the public’s attention

Promote their image as “good stewards”-watchdogs over the government, serving the best interest of citizens, etc.

Most noted for demonstrations/protest Civil Rights Movement- marches, sit-ins

Comparing political parties & interest groups

Political Parties Goal- win elections,

control government Ideas- hold positions

on a wide range of issues

Organization- public, accountable to voters

Interest Groups Goal- Support public

officials, influence public policies

Ideas- narrow scope of ideas that concern members

Organization- private, accountable to members

Growth of interest groups

Explosion in recent decades (mirrors the growth of government) 1960- ~6,000 2010- ~22,000

Why? Legislative and executive branches control the

allocation and spending of billions of dollars & industries, corporations, professions, unions, etc. want those funds to benefit their cause

Types of interest groups

Business Nearly every corporation employs lobbyists to

monitor government activity that may affect their business

National Association of Manufactures Focus- labor laws, taxes, wages, trade regulations

Chamber of Commerce Largest business federation Spends $20 million/year on lobbying

Business Roundtable 150 CEOs overseeing 10 million employees


Labor 13% of workers are unionized American Federation of Labor-Congress

of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) largest w/ 10,000,000+ members


Agricultural Powerful lobby yet only 2% of U.S. population Represent farmers & related agricultural

industry Farm Bureau National Farmers Union


Professional associations Often have narrow focus but have

influential lobby American Bar Association American Medical Association National Education Association


Environmental Wide range of goals- conservation to

opposition of nuclear power & strip mining Sierra Club World Wildlife Fund


Public interest Wide range of goals/interests (2,000+) Support causes ranging from consumer

protection to clean energy to electoral reform Common Cause League of Women Voters


Equality interests Advocate groups for minority rights National Association for the Advancement

of Colored People (NAACP) National Organization of Women (NOW)


Single-issue Narrow focus

Abortion- National Right to Life Committee vs. Planned Parenthood

National Rifle Association (NRA) one of the most influential lobby groups in U.S.

Factors that contribute to interest group success

1. Size matters- sheer numbers have influence but members must…

2. Make some noise- Passionate & committed activists speak the loudest “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” theory

3. However money matters the most- Interest groups need funds to operate and gain ACCESS to & INFLUENCE policymakers

Interest groups & American democracy

Theories attempt to explain who has power and influence in the United States

1. Power Elite Theory2. Pluralist Theory3. Hyperpluralist Theory


Power Elite Theory A small number of wealthy individuals,

corporations, & institutions dominate policy Example- Financial crisis & bailouts:

Banks/corporations huge bailouts, general public small stimulus checks. The “advantaged” speak with a louder “voice”=$


Pluralist Theory Sheer number of interest groups makes

compromise & bargaining a necessity so no one group can dominate the political system

Multiple avenues for success Hyperpluralist Theory

Too many interest groups Political leaders attempt yet fail to please leading

to weak/ineffective/contradictory policy Example- Anti-smoking vs. pro-tobacco lobby

Lobbying method techniques summary:

Lobbying technique(s) Campaign funding- Financial support though contributions from PACs

Grassroots mobilization Get-out-the-vote drives Organize members to act (letter writing/calling politicians, protest, etc.)

Litigation (using the court system) Lawsuits or amicus curiae briefs

Direct lobbying Draft bills Support/oppose legislation Testifying at congressional committee hearings

Provide information To government officials that supports the interest group’s cause To the public about the cause (mail, TV, Internet) Using the media to promote agenda

Pros & cons of interest groups

Provide the public a voice in policy decisions

Representation & participation in the democratic process

Increase public awareness Helps frame public agenda Watchdog over the

government

Increases the cost of implementing policy

Represents the fringe of society at the cost of the majority

Wealthy have disproportionate influence

IG’s have little regard for effects outside their interest

Potential for political corruption

interest groups

Documents