Post on 14-Dec-2015
Make a list of all the interest groups you can think of and what they represent
Categorize them as: economic, environmental, equality, consumer/public interest, or professional/government
Which types benefit non-members, as well as members?
Bellringer
Today we will …
Objectives Agenda Interest Groups
Explain the rise of interest groups.
Describe how interest groups influence public policy making.
Interest Groups – notes Ch. 9 Reading Quiz FRQ Review, if time HW: Interest Groups
assignment
Unit Test MC Portion on Friday
11/21 FRQ portion on Tuesday
11/25
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Fortune’s “Power 25”The 10 Most Effective Interest Groups
Copyright © 2009 Cengage Learning
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Some Other Important Interest Groups (That Didn’t Make the List)
An interest group is any organization that seeks to influence public opinion.
1. Many kinds of cleavage, many different interests
2. Constitution provides many “access points”
3. Weakness of political parties
Why do we have so many interest groups?
1. Broad economic development Rise of industrialization led to increased need for
unions & their interests
2. Government policy itself Wars create Veterans. Collective Bargaining creates
unions.
3. Emergence of strong leaders Especially social movements focused on need for
change & inspired by political and religious doctrine Usually young people
4. Expanding role of government More government activities = more interests that
those actions will affect
1. Factors that account for the rise of interest groups
Individuals or organizations representing other organizations
Business, Trade, Governmental Associations, Universities
Interest organizations Less likely union - more
likely religious, political, civic
Greater sense of political efficacy - civic duty
Institutional vs. Membership
Who actually lobbies?
Solidarity Incentives: happiness, status & companionship
http://www.pta.org/
Material Incentives: money, things, services http://www.ilfb.org/
Purposive Incentives: goal/purpose of the organization itself, passion
• Recruit members sometimes using fear & anger• May be deeply controversial/off the times
Also, patronage can help to attract members
Incentives to Join: combating the “free rider” problem
Some members of an interest group may not care about many of the issues w/which the interest group gets involved.
What the interest group does may reflect what the interest group staff wants rather than what the members it represents believe.
Staff influences the group’s policy agenda if solidarity or material benefits are more important to members than purposive goals.
Staff Influence
Check for understanding
How do institutional and membership interest groups differ?
What are three incentives for joining an interest group?
3. Consumer & Public Interest Lobby
Group pursuing “common” policy interests
Benefits non-members Purposive incentive to join
Single issue focused groups Tend to be liberal?
◦ PUBLIC CITIZEN◦ Research and Lobbying◦ Litigations to advance the cause Ralph Nader
4. Interest Groups & Social Movements Environmental movement
Wilderness & wildlife conservation Feminist movement
Suffrage – League of Women Voters Equal Rights – NOW, NARAL Enforcement
Union movement AFL-CIO What area is fastest growing now?
6. Activities of Interest Groups Information Public Support
Earmarks Money & PACs The “Revolving Door” Civil Disobedience
Trouble
Most important tactic Detailed, CURRENT- can build or destroy
legislator/lobbyist relationship Most effective on narrow and/or
technical issues Political cues & rating systems http://
www.adaction.org/pages/publications/voting-records/2013vrgraphics.php
Supplying groups with credible information
“Friend of the Court”: Document filed by someone/ a group not directly related to the case to volunteer information that they deem to be worthy in deciding the case.
APA
Amicus Curiae Brief
Outsider strategy Grassroots
lobbying Who is the key
target?
Dirty Dozen
Public Support/ Pressure
Promise of future job to officials Conflict of interest
The Revolving Door
Disrupt the institution and force negotiations
Enlist the support of others, who will also press for negotiations
Create martyrs to draw public concern and support
◦ K Street protests: Occupy, Take Back The Capitol set to protest lobbyists | WJLA.com
Trouble
1. What are the 5 activities IG’s use to influence policy making?
2. Which do you think is most effective?3. Which is least effective?
Check for Understanding
Closure
1.What is the fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process?
2.What is the fundamental goal of political parties?
3.How do interest groups support the goal of parties?
Tactics/Strategies Legislative
◦ Testifying◦ Contacting (Formally
or Informally)◦ Drafting◦ Alerting to Impacts◦ Mobilizing
Constituents◦ Contributing◦ Electioneering◦ Endorsing◦ Coalition-building
Executive◦ Contacting◦ Influencing
Appointments◦ Drafting Rules/
Regulations/Guidelines◦ Serving on Boards
Judicial◦ Litigation◦ Amicus curiae briefs
Grassroots