magleby chapter5 ppt

5Interest GroupsPolitics of Influence

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5.1

5.2

5

Explain the role of interest groups and social movements in American politics

Categorize American interest groups into types

Learning Objectives

5.1

5.2


5.1

5.2

5

Analyze sources of interest group power

Describe lobbyists and the activities through which they seek to influence policy

Learning Objectives

5.3

5.4


5.1

5.2

5

Identify ways interest groups use money in elections and assess efforts to regulate this spending

Evaluate the effectiveness of interest groups in influencing elections and legislation

Learning Objectives

5.5

5.6


Interest Groups Past and President: “Mischiefs of Faction” A Nation of Interests Social Movements

5.1


A Nation of Interests

Interest groups Demographic distinctions - race, gender, age, religion,

occupation, sexual orientation, etc. Ideology/policy preferences - gun control, abortion, etc “Special interests” - often go against the interests of the

majority.

5.1


Social Movements

Origin of interest groups Rights movements: Women’s, animal, civil, gay Cause movements: Environment

Tea Party Not a social movement, part of Republican Party

5.1


5.1Arab Spring

FPO


5.1 What is a modern term for faction?

a. Special interestb. Political partyc. Interest groupd. All of the above

5.1


Types of Interest Groups 5.2

Economic Interest Groups Ideological and Single-Issue Interest Groups Public Interest Groups Foreign Policy Interest Groups Public Sector Interest Groups Other Interest Groups


Economic Interest Groups There are more economic interest groups than any other type Business

Large corporations - donate money to influence policy decisions, often working alone.

Small Business Federation - banding together of small businesses to form interest groups.

Trade and Other Associations National Association of Realtors Chamber of Commerce

5.2

They seek public policies that benefit themselves financially.


Labor Unions - want to get better wages, benefits, and working

conditions AFL-CIO - the largest union organization in the U.S. Open v. closed shop - in open-shop states membership is

optional. Closed-shop states require union membership. Democratic Party - unions typically endorse Democratic

candidates

Economic Interest Groups 5.2


FIGURE 5.1: Union membership in the United States compared to other countries

5.2


Labor force and union membership, 1930-2011

There has be a steady upward growth of the labor force with almost no growth in unions.

5.2


5.2Labor unions


Professional Associations - for white collar workers AMA - American Medical Association ABA - American Bar Association

Make large donations to political campaigns

Economic Interest Groups 5.2


Ideological and Single-Issue Interest Groups

5.2

Members share common viewpoint Single-issue groups Unwilling to compromise Pro v. anti-abortion is example

National Rifle Association (NRA) Largest and most powerful


Public Interest Groups

Claim to represent public interest room social movements of 1960s Common Cause

Public interest research groups (PIRGS) Ralph Nader Consumer interests

5.2


Foreign Policy Interest Groups Council on Foreign Relations Israel-Arab relations subject of many groups Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)

Greenpeace Amnesty International

5.2


Public Sector Interest Groups Governments are interest groups

National Governors Association National League of Cities National League of Counties

Government employees National Education Association (NEA)

3.2 million members

5.2


Other Interest Groups

Why we join groups Common interest Shared identification Shared issue or concern

What groups do Educate public Lobby elected officials Provide information

5.2


TABLE 5.1: Environmental groups’ resources and strategies

5.2


5.2 Which type of interest group is the most numerous?

a. Economicb. Human rightsc. Environmentald. Labor unions

5.2


Characteristics and Power of Interest Groups Size and Resources Cohesiveness Leadership Techniques for Exerting Influence Free riders - often get the benefits without having

to participate

5.3


Size and Resources Size matters - more influence with politicians

Membership benefits - incentives to join So does spread

Concentration versus dispersal Concentration is more influential on the local and state level,

dispersal more so at the national level Resources matter, too

Money Volunteers Expertise Reputation

5.3


Cohesiveness and Leadership Types of members

Formal leaders Actively-involved members Members in name only

Single-issue group = stronger cohesion Planned Parenthood

Leadership Tricky when group is diverse

5.3


5.3AARP


Techniques for Exerting Influence Publicity, mass media, and the Internet

Influencing the public Businesses have financial advantage Social media Internet increases civic participation

Mass mailing/E-mailing Facilitated by computer technology

5.3


Techniques for Exerting Influence Direct contact with government

Federal Register notifies the public of new regulations “Notice and comments period” gives them time to contact

government agencies

Litigation - if government officials are unsympathetic, groups may file lawsuits to appeal for constitutional rights Civil rights Amicus curiae briefs (friends of the court briefs - the

shrimp-turtle case)

5.3


Techniques for Exerting Influence

5.3

Protest Demonstrations Occupy Wall Street

Contributions to campaigns Political action committees (PACs) contribute money to

candidates Super PAC - no legal limit on money Bundling - combining individual contributions


Techniques for Exerting Influence

5.3

Nonpartisan - not party affiliated Donate to incumbents Endorsements of candidates who help Score cards inform members on candidates’ voting records

New political partiesThe Green party was formed by environmentalists

Cooperative lobbying Like-minded groups work together


advertised widely in 2012 on the theme that energy resources are important and people should vote with energy in mind.

Vote 4 Energy 5.3


5.3 What are PACs?

a. A coalition of labor unionsb. The interest group that represents public

employeesc. The political arm of an interest groupd. None of the above

5.3


5.3 What are PACs? 5.3

a. A coalition of labor unionsb. The interest group that represents public

employeesc. The political arm of an interest groupd. None of the above


Influence of Lobbyists

Who Are the Lobbyists? What Do Lobbyists Do?

5.4


Who Are the Lobbyists?

Lobbyists are employed by interest groups or corporations and engage in activities aimed at influencing public officials and policies.

5.4

Revolving door Former government employees become lobbyists

Tools of influence Money Charm Personal influence Persuasiveness Knowledge Issue networks - relationships between groups that share a

common policy concern


What Do Lobbyists Do?

Competition limits influence Money most important

Volunteers Incumbent advantage

Types of information Political - who supports or opposes legislation Substantive - the impact of proposed laws

Taking their message to the people Interest groups influence public opinion

5.4


5.4 Who is most likely to become a lobbyist?

a. A former teacherb. A former judgec. A former elected officiald. A former farmer

5.4


5.4 Who is most likely to become a lobbyist?

5.4

a. A former teacherb. A former judgec. A former elected officiald. A former farmer


Money and Politics

Political Action Committees (PACs) How PACs Invest Their Money Mobilizing Employees and Members Other Modes of Electioneering Independent Expenditures Campaigning Through Other Groups

5.5


Political Action Committees (PACs) Political arm of interest group What PACs do

Give money to politicians Persuade politicians to act or vote a certain way

Interests represented by PACs Corporations, trade, health, unions, ideological

5.5


FIGURE 5.3: Total PAC contributions to candidates for U.S. Congress, 1975-2010

5.5


TABLE 5.2: PACs that gave the most to federal candidates, cumulatively, 2000-2010 (millions of dollars)

5.5


Political Action Committees (PACs) Super PACs

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

5.5


5.5TABLE 5.3: Candidate supportive Super PACs and money they spent in 2011-2012


How PACs Invest Their Money Incumbents

PACs provide 42% of campaign funding

5.5


FIGURE 5.4: PAC contributions to Congressional candidates, 1998-2010

5.5


How PACs Invest Their Money Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2004

(BCRA) Contributions to leadership

Committee chairs, party leaders

5.5


Mobilizing Employees and Members and Other Modes of Electioneering Persuading members how to vote

Communications Soft money

Contributions to parties rather than candidates Issue ads

5.5


5.5Todd Akin and abortion controversy

FPO


Independent Expenditures Unlimited

Disclosure requirements Recent examples

2010 Illinois Senate race 2010 Colorado Senate race

5.5


TABLE 5.4: Independent expenditure by top interest groups, 2004-2010

5.5


Campaigning Through Other Groups Avoiding disclosure

Words and phrases Issue advocacy

Election ads that do not mention candidates Unions, corporations, ideological groups

527 organizations Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

5.5


Voter canvassing and registration

5.5


5.5 Which type of interest group has the most PACs?

a. Environmental groupsb. Ideological groupsc. Corporationsd. Unions

5.5


5.5 Which type of interest group has the most PACs?

5.5

a. Environmental groupsb. Ideological groupsc. Corporationsd. Unions


How Much Do Interest Groups Influence Elections and Legislation?

Curing the Mischiefs of Faction—Two Centuries Later

5.6


Curing the Mischiefs of Faction—Two Centuries Later What would Madison think?

Influence unequal Gridlock Incumbent advantage

Can we regulate factions and preserve liberty? Disclosure

Interest groups foster self-government

5.6


5.6 How can Super PACs sidestep financial disclosure regulations?

5.6

a. Take out ads that do not endorse a specific candidate

b. Wait to disclose donors until the election is over

c. Both A and Bd. Neither A nor B


How does money exert influence over public policy? Does the interest group with the most money always get its preferred public policies? What are some arguments for and against restricting the amount of money that groups can contribute to political campaigns?

Discussion Question 5