Interest Groups
Their Effect on Politics
Lobby- An interest group organized to influence
government decisions, especially legislation.
Why are interest groups so common?
1. Many cleavages in the country due to diversity
2. Many access points to government
3. Political parties are weak and too broad spectrum
Why are interest groups on the rise?
-Broad diversity of economics
-Government policy itself
-Emergence of strong leaders
-the expanding role of government
Negatives?
-upper class bias
-revolving door
-corruption
-bribery
-factions
Interest Group- any organization that seeks to influence
public policy
Two Types:
Institutional
- those lobbyists that are hired to represent others, professional
lobbyists that represent client concerns
Membership
- those organizations whose members actively participate in
the lobbying
- Social, unions, religious groups
- Civic duty to join
What kind of interest group is yours?
Incentives to join an interest group:
Solidarity- pleasure and companionship
Material- benefits, money, services
Purposive- goals of the organization itself
What are the incentives to join your interest groups?
Ideological vs. public interest groups
Ideological
- Controversial principles
- Two sides to the issue
- Benefits members
Ex. Unions
Public Interest
-benefits members and non-members alike
-for the common good of society
Ex. AARP, Sierra Club
Social movement
- a widely shared demand for change in the social or political order
- liberal or conservative
Your groups?
How are interest groups funded?
-Foundation grants
-Federal Grants
-Direct Mail
How is yours funded?
Upper Class Bias of Interest Groups
-more affluent are more likely to join and be active
-business/professional groups are much more numerous and well
financed than minority groups
Impact?
What is the most important activity of an interest
group?
-to provide credible, up to date, expert information to Congress
Yours?
Political cues for Congressmen
-what values are at stake and how that fits with their political beliefs
Why are cues important?
-Constituency
Interest groups and the rating system
-groups use a rating system based on how each congressman votes on
issues related to their cause
-groups relate this information to the constituency
Yours?
Insider vs. Outsider Lobbying strategy
Insider
-Lobbyists try to influence congressmen directly through direct
contact on Capital Hill
Outsider
-grassroots mobilization of an issue going to the people rather than
the politician
-purpose is to get the people motivated to contact their congressman
to exert influence over their position on the issue
Yours?
PAC- Political Action Committee
-all organizations that donate money to political parties must create a
PAC as the avenue to donate such funds
-PAC funds must be kept separate from general funds and be accounted
for separately.
50% Corporate
10% Union
40% various issues
Impact?
-more money available on all sides of issues
-no evidence the money effects voting
-more effect on committees
Revolving Door Politics
-Congressman to lobbyist
-Lobbyist to administration
Does this lead to corruption?
-promise of jobs to officials
1995 restrictions placed on lobbyists by congress
-People who spend 20% of their time lobbying are considered
lobbyists
-People paid at least $5000 in any six month period for lobbying are
considered lobbyists
-Corporations or groups that spend more than $20,000 on lobby
efforts in any six month period are considered lobbyists
Requirements:
- Must provide a list of client names
- Must provide all expenditures to the government
- Must disclose what issues your organization represents
What are the Pro’s vs. Con’s of regulating interest groups?