Interest Groups
and how they
shape policy
What is a linkage institution?
Good question, glad you asked:
A linkage institution is anything that
connects the citizens to their government.
Most common forms of linkage institutions
are:
Interest groups
Political parties
Elections
Media
Interest Groups
We all have interests
Organizing to protect those interests is
natural
The right to organize groups is protected
by the Constitution
Fed. 10, Madison’s factions are what we
today call interest groups
An organization made up of people who
share common objectives and who
actively attempt to influence government
policy makers through direct and indirect
methods.
Views on Interest groups
Help connect citizens with their
government
Raise awareness on issues
Obtain information for citizens as well as
public officials
One more “check” in the checks and
balances
Corrupt
Bog down the government
Interest Groups v. Political Parties
Policy specialists.
Focus on a handful of key policies.
More tightly organized.
Financed through contributions
or dues paying members.
 Conferences, newsletters,
mailings, electronic formats.
Try to influence the outcome
of elections, but don’t
compete for public office.
Policy generalists
Broad based: must
attract support of many
opposing
groups
Consider large # of iss
Main sphere of
influence=electoral syst
Candidates of this gro
run for office
Types of interest groups
All kinds, too many to count
Examples: Tulip Growers Association
– AARP, 33 million members
Most common are private- seeking
economic benefits
Public Interest Groups- goal of
working for the public good
Types of interest groups
Business
Labor
Agricultural
Consumer
Old People
Environmental
Professional
Women’s
Church
Ethnic
Business
Well organized for a long time!
Umbrellas
– Chamber of Commerce of the US
– National Association of Manufacturers
Trade Organizations
– Usually support policies that benefit
business in general
– May not agree on specific issues
Labor
Some of the most influential in
the country
AFL-CIO
Teamsters
United Mine Workers
International Longshoreman’s Union
Warehouseman’s Union
– Press for policies to improve working
conditions and pay for members
– Organized labor represents 15% of the labor
force
Agricultural Groups
American Farm Bureau Federation
National Grange
National Farmers’ Union
Consumer Groups
Organizations under Ralph Nader
Consumers Union (public interest
group)
– Publishes consumer reports
Older Americans
People over the age of 65 = 13% of
the population
AARP
Gray Panthers
Environmental Groups
Some of the most powerful groups in
D.C.
– National Wildlife Federation
– Audubon Society
– Nature Conservancy
– Sierra Club
Professional Groups
AMA- medical
ABA- bar
NEA- education
AFT- Federation of Teachers
Women’s Groups
NOW- National Organization for
Women
Church Related
National Council of Churches
Ethnic Organizations
NAACP- National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
How these groups try to shape
policy
Interest groups operate at all levels of
gov’t
Use a variety of strategies
Direct techniques
Lobbying - all attempts to influence
the passage, defeat, or contents of
legislation, and the administrative
decisions of gov’t.
– The foyer, lobby of the legislature
– People skilled in the arts of persuading
– Talk, invite to dinner etc..
– Many former Congressmen
*a professional persuader?
Details of lobbying
Personal contact with key legislators
(make sure your info. Is accurate!)
Provide expertise to government officials
(Congressmen can’t be experts in
everything)
Offer “expert” testimony to congressional
committees.
Assist legislators in drafting legislation
Follow up- try to influence implementation
once a law has been passed
Providing election support
Join and work within political parties
Provide campaign support
– $ provided through PAC’s (Political Action
Committees). This $ doesn’t guarantee a vote
in a certain direction, but is intended to give
access to the public officials they have helped
to elect.
Urge their members to vote for candidates
Threaten legislators with the withdrawal of
their votes
Indirect techniques
Public Opinion- convince policy
makers that the public
overwhelmingly supports the interest
group’s position.
Ratings systems- interest groups
take an issue, and rate congressmen
on how they have voted on certain
issues
– “Dirty Dozen”
– Heroes v. Zeroes
Mobilizing constituents- urge
members to write letters etc…
Bringing lawsuits- example… civil
rights groups, environmental groups
Influencing judicial
appointments
Staging demonstrations
– Boston Tea Party
– Protest marches, rallies etc…
Why interest groups get bad press
Scandals
Bribes
1996- Congress passed rules
banning Congressmen from
accepting free trips, meals, and gifts
from lobbyists.
Regulation
Little to none:
1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying
Act: Must register group and disclose
financial and logistical information
Only applies to those that are
directly seeking to influence federal
legislation, principle purpose is to
influence, and only lobby congress