Interest Groups

D. Brown/ Pol Sci 222

St Francis Xavier University

January 2013

Interest Groups: Topics Covered

Defining interest groups and related concepts

Interest group functions Snap-shot of interest groups in Canada Theory consideration…does it matter? Policy Networks and Communities State-sponsored interests How interest groups work

Definitions….

Interest groups:– Private associations that promote their specific

interests and values in the political community Similar terms: “special interests”, “pressure

groups” “civil society organizations” Not: political parties as such Can represent collective interests of parts of

the private, not-for-profit and/or voluntary sector

Interest Group Functions

Promoting interests of members in policy process, in media, and with other interests

Channel communications between members and government

Legitimize government actions by participating in policy process

May regulate members on behalf of public authorities May implement government programs through

partnerships or cooperation with government

Scope…

20,000 organizations in Canada Range from international to national to

provincial to neighbourhood Cover every conceivable form of interest:

– Economic, sectoral, social, professional, cultural, ethnic, religious, environmental, etc.

Theory considerations…1

Pluralism: interest groups are vital to democracy. A major role of governments is to balance interests

Neo-pluralists: business has more clout than all the rest

Marxists: interest groups reflect class interests and the dominant position of capital

Theory considerations…2

• Neo-institutionalists– The State shapes interest group organization and

behaviour– Interest groups interact with State actors (who

have their own interests) in Policy Communities and Networks

Policy Communities and Networks

Policy Communities….constellation of actors in a policy field

Policy Networks….the nature of relationships between the key actors

They contribute to fragmenting state policy-making and society’s interests, but also to more efficient consideration of policy issues

They reflect state structure and preferences as much as those of organized social interests

State-sponsored interest groups

Charter-based interests:– Women, aged, ethnic minorities, language

minorities, Gay and Lesbians, etc, Aboriginal organizations Some trade, labour organizations Primary producers: agriculture, fisheries

Interest Group Characteristics

Formal organization is important to success “institutionalized” interest groups are

influential, but can be out-flanked by ad-hoc coalitions of informal players

Money always counts…but there is more than one way of getting it

Interest Group Power

They shape the public agenda They have an effect on election outcomes They can punish governments by influencing

private players They can often resist change that is against

their interests.

Key Strategies

Lobbying efforts– Expensive– Compromises the interest group

Influencing public opinion– Requires media smarts– Opinion polls influence opinion

Going to court– Need a good case– Need money (unless government will pay)

Systemic limits on interest group power:4 forms of policy networks (Montpetit)

1. Pluralist systems (e.g. Canada, USA) – open to new groups, and few if any groups have mandatory influence

2. Corporatist systems (e.g. Germany)– a closed set of key players making key decisions jointly with government

3. Dirigist systems (e.g. France) -- top down, bureaucratic power, less room for interest group influence

4. Clientilist system (e.g. banana republic) -- government decisions dominated by one key set of interests alone

Limits to Interest Group Power

Lack of cohesion / competition from other groups

Portrayed by parties, governments as having unfair and undue influence as “special interests”

Losing touch with grass roots Public service resistance -- “public interest”

trumping particular interests