Chapter 7

Interest GroupsInterest Groups

and Political and Political PartiesParties

Interest Groups and Democracy

Whose interests are served? Who is/is not represented by an

interest group? What groups have power, influence

over decision-making? How do interest groups influence

policy?

Definition

Organized group of individuals Common goals or objectives Influence government policy/

policymakers Heart of pluralist theory Lobbyist = works for interest group,

interacts with policymakers

Why Join?

Solidarity – associate with others with common interest

Material – economic benefits/ opportunities

Purpose – ethical beliefs, ideological principles

Types

Economic = by far the most powerful, influential

EnvironmentalPublic InterestSpecial Interest

Economic

Business = Business and trade organizations

Agricultural = very influential Labor = labor/working class interests Public Employee = American

Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFSCME; FACCC

Professional Associations = American Bar Association, American Medical Association

Others Environmental

National Wildlife Federation, Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club, National Audubon Society, WISE37

Public – advocate for community interests Common Cause, CALPIRG

Special - single interest (pro/anti-abortion, age, etc.)

Foreign Governments

Group Power

Size (numbers)Resources (organization and

money)LeadershipCohesiveness

Direct Lobbying = meeting officials

testifying before congressional committees, executive rulemaking, drafting legislation, entertaining legislators, providing information, etc.

Ratings (voting) Campaign Assistance (volunteers) Political Action Committees (PACs)= raises

money, gives donations to candidates or parties

Political Contributions = most important form of campaign help

Indirect

Public pressure = using public opinion

Climate control = public relations to create favorable public opinion

Shotgun approach = constituents act in concert by writing, emailing, phoning or sending postcards

Rifle approach = influential constituent contacts legislator on particular issue

Campaign Money

Political Action Committee (PAC) = represent business, labor, special interest group Most are corporate

Contributions Primarily given to incumbents $5,000 per election per candidate is upper limit under

campaign finance laws Soft money (to parties)

Outlawed in 2002 Issue advocacy advertising

Regulating Lobbyists

Legislative Reorganization Act (1946) public disclosure lack of enforcement United States v. Harriss (1954)

constitutional 1995-96 reforms

“Lobbyist” = 20% of time lobbying Register; Semiannual reports

Political Party

Activists who organize to win elections, operate government, and make public policy Distinct from interest groups,

which don’t seek office

Functions

Recruiting candidatesOrganizing and running

electionsAlternative policiesOperating governmentOrganized opposition

Parties in U.S. History

1789-1812 – Creation of parties 1816-1828 – Personal politics 1828-1860 – National two-party rule 1864-1892 – Post-Civil War period 1896-1928 – Progressive era 1932-present – Modern era

Two-Party System Two parties have reasonable chance

of winning “Are you now, or have you ever

been, a member of the…” Other parties: Green, Reform,

Libertarian, Socialist Workers, Communist, Socialist, States Rights Democrats/Workers World, Natural Law, and Social Labor Party

Core Supporters

Democratic corelower SES (income, education) groups; African Americans; union members; Jews; individuals with less than high school education; college grads with a postgraduate education; women

Republican corehigher SES groups; college grads with no postgraduate education; professionals; businesspeople

Policies

Democrats = More likely to approve social-welfare spending, government regulation of business, measures to improve status of minorities and elderly

Republicans = More supportive of private enterprise; believe federal government should be less involved in social programs

Why Two-Party System

Historical foundations = sectional/regional and class politics

Political socialization/party identification

Commonality of views Winner-take-all electoral system

plurality voting in single member district elections

State and federal laws favoring two party system

Party Identification

© 2004 Wadsworth Publishing / Thomson Learning™

Minor Parties

Most successful splinter parties broke from major party Bull Moose Progressives (from Republicans) Dixiecrats (States Rights) Party (from Democrats) American Independent Party 1968 (from Democrats)

Platforms often adopted Candidates can impact election outcomes

Nader and Gore (2000) Libertarian, Reform, Green, Natural Law,

Communist, Socialist, Socialist Workers, etc.