Interest GroupsInterest Groups

Marshall W. GarlandMarshall W. Garland

November 12, 2003November 12, 2003

Administrative StuffAdministrative Stuff

Grades are available outside HH16Grades are available outside HH16 Must have unique test IDMust have unique test ID

Dr. Karp will return on FridayDr. Karp will return on Friday

What are Interest GroupsWhat are Interest Groups

What are Interest GroupsWhat are Interest Groups

Closely related to Madison’s conception of a Closely related to Madison’s conception of a faction in Federalist 10.faction in Federalist 10.

““A number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the A number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.”permanent and aggregate interests of the community.”

Remember—Madison feared the influence of factions—felt it would Remember—Madison feared the influence of factions—felt it would undermine collective good. undermine collective good.

This is overcome by diversity and Republicanism—diversity dilutes the This is overcome by diversity and Republicanism—diversity dilutes the influence any one group has and Republicanism expands the number of influence any one group has and Republicanism expands the number of interests.interests.

Raises a question—is a two party system better than multiparty system? Raises a question—is a two party system better than multiparty system? Predecessor to pluralist theory—diversity of interests is good.Predecessor to pluralist theory—diversity of interests is good.

What are Interest Groups (cont’d)What are Interest Groups (cont’d)

• Collection of citizens with similar interests who seek to influence Collection of citizens with similar interests who seek to influence governmental policy.governmental policy.

• Differences in occupation, economic status, religious tradition, Differences in occupation, economic status, religious tradition, geography, status, and political preferences give rise to interest geography, status, and political preferences give rise to interest groups because they have something in common. As a result like groups because they have something in common. As a result like minded individuals come together because they share attitudes.minded individuals come together because they share attitudes.

• Groups help to define political interestsGroups help to define political interests• An “ordering” mechanismAn “ordering” mechanism

• Often fill issue or ideological gaps left by political parties.Often fill issue or ideological gaps left by political parties.Vast increases in the number of interest groups—approx. 30 Vast increases in the number of interest groups—approx. 30 percent of the growth took place between 1960-1980.percent of the growth took place between 1960-1980.

Growth has taken place during a period of party decline-- evident that citizens Growth has taken place during a period of party decline-- evident that citizens look more and more to interest groups to speak for them in the political process.look more and more to interest groups to speak for them in the political process.

Proliferation due to the expansion of the federal gov’tProliferation due to the expansion of the federal gov’t

How do they Work?How do they Work?

Interest groups convey demands through lobbyists.Interest groups convey demands through lobbyists.

Lobbyists are interest group representatives who seek to Lobbyists are interest group representatives who seek to influence legislation that will benefit his or her influence legislation that will benefit his or her organization through political persuasion.organization through political persuasion.

How do you get legislators’ ears—money! (An estimated How do you get legislators’ ears—money! (An estimated 2.7 mil. Was spent on lobbying for every member of 2.7 mil. Was spent on lobbying for every member of Congress—the largest are the tobacco companies)Congress—the largest are the tobacco companies)

Inevitable outgrowth of democratic politics—with liberty comes proliferation of Inevitable outgrowth of democratic politics—with liberty comes proliferation of interests. These groups must communicate demands.interests. These groups must communicate demands.

Also follows from republicanism—lobbyists convey groups’ demands to Also follows from republicanism—lobbyists convey groups’ demands to legislatorslegislators

Arises from specialization and complexity of policy issues—lobbyists provide Arises from specialization and complexity of policy issues—lobbyists provide valuable information on forthcoming policy initiatives.valuable information on forthcoming policy initiatives.

How do they Work (cont’d)—How do they Work (cont’d)—Normative considerationsNormative considerations

Despite these positive characteristics, can also Despite these positive characteristics, can also be construed as corrupting democratic process.be construed as corrupting democratic process. Madison’s fears realized—interests of particular Madison’s fears realized—interests of particular

groups trump those of the collective good. groups trump those of the collective good. Particularized interests impose costs on other groupsParticularized interests impose costs on other groups

AARP demands greater SS benefits, increasing financial AARP demands greater SS benefits, increasing financial demands on government.demands on government.

Influence of money distorts system, giving unfair Influence of money distorts system, giving unfair advantage to groups with extensive financial advantage to groups with extensive financial resources.resources.

How do they Work (cont’d)How do they Work (cont’d)

Policy formulation is often influenced by the Policy formulation is often influenced by the existence of “iron triangles.”existence of “iron triangles.”

Often referred to as “issue networks”—constitutes a convergence of Often referred to as “issue networks”—constitutes a convergence of interests.interests.

The relatively stable relationship and pattern of interaction that occur The relatively stable relationship and pattern of interaction that occur among an agency, interest groups, and congressional committees or among an agency, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommitteessubcommittees

Ex. Increasing seniors’ benefits: SSA, AARP, and the House Subcommittee Ex. Increasing seniors’ benefits: SSA, AARP, and the House Subcommittee on Aging.on Aging.

Building a Dam—National Association of Realtors, district representative and Building a Dam—National Association of Realtors, district representative and bureaucrats w/in DOIbureaucrats w/in DOI

A “cozy” relationship forms between groups that have shared interestsA “cozy” relationship forms between groups that have shared interests

Iron Triangles Cont’dIron Triangles Cont’d

Types of Groups (Cont’d)Types of Groups (Cont’d)

Single-Issue Groups:Single-Issue Groups: Concentration on one areaConcentration on one area Generally leads to greater zeal for particular Generally leads to greater zeal for particular

interest.interest. Most prominent are on either side of abortion Most prominent are on either side of abortion

and gun control debates.and gun control debates.Army of God/NARALArmy of God/NARAL

NRA/Handgun Control, Inc.NRA/Handgun Control, Inc.

Types of Interest GroupsTypes of Interest Groups

Multi-issue groups:Multi-issue groups: Expertise in a wide array of areas that are Expertise in a wide array of areas that are

related to original purpose:related to original purpose:Christian Coalition—school vouchers, prayer in Christian Coalition—school vouchers, prayer in schoolschool

National Organization for Women (NOW)—National Organization for Women (NOW)—abortion, reproductive rights, affirmative action, abortion, reproductive rights, affirmative action, economic equity, and lesbian rights.economic equity, and lesbian rights.

Oftentimes evolved from single-issue groups--Oftentimes evolved from single-issue groups--NAACP.NAACP.

Kinds of Organized InterestsKinds of Organized Interests

Economic Interest Groups:Economic Interest Groups: Have economic agenda.Have economic agenda. Primarily promote economic interests of Primarily promote economic interests of

members.members.Labor unions(AFL-CIO), business groups (ATLA), Labor unions(AFL-CIO), business groups (ATLA), interests of farmers.interests of farmers.

Public Interest GroupsPublic Interest Groups Seek a collective good that does not only Seek a collective good that does not only

benefit members.benefit members.Amnesty International, Sierra ClubAmnesty International, Sierra Club

Interest GroupsInterest Groups

Political Action CommitteesPolitical Action Committees A federally registered fund-raising committee that A federally registered fund-raising committee that

represents an interest group in the political process represents an interest group in the political process through campaign donations.through campaign donations.

Usually represents the political interests of a particular Usually represents the political interests of a particular organization or businessorganization or business

Ex. American Association of Trial LawyersEx. American Association of Trial Lawyers Originate from the FECA (1971, rev. 1974)Originate from the FECA (1971, rev. 1974)

Made legal for interest groups, corporations to form PACs. Made legal for interest groups, corporations to form PACs.

Individuals can contribute more through PAC’s—1k directly Individuals can contribute more through PAC’s—1k directly to candidates and 5k to PACs.to candidates and 5k to PACs.

Interest Groups (Cont’d)Interest Groups (Cont’d)

PAC’s (Cont’d)PAC’s (Cont’d)

PAC’s (Cont’d)PAC’s (Cont’d)

PAC’s (Cont’d)PAC’s (Cont’d)

List of top PAC contributors.List of top PAC contributors. http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/index.asphttp://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/index.asp. .

QuizQuiz

1.1. Name one interest group.Name one interest group.

2.2. What are the three points of an iron What are the three points of an iron triangle?triangle?

3.3. Do you think the rise of interest groups is Do you think the rise of interest groups is good for American democracy?good for American democracy?