Interest Groups are organizations that try to
achieve at least some of their goals with
government assistance.
“In no country in the world has the principle of
association been more successfully used or applied
to a greater multiple of objects than in America.”
-- Alexis do Tocqueville
To protect our
government from the
“mischiefs of factions”
our Founding Fathers
established separation
of powers, checks and
balances and a system
of federalism
Do special interest groups make government more responsive by giving people
greater representation in the political process? Do they pose a threat to the wellbeing of the American political system? Or are they a valuable part of the
American political system?
1. They raise awareness and they stimulate interest in public
affairs by educating members and the public
2. They represent their membership, serving as a link between
members and government
3. Provide information to government, especially data and
testimony useful in making public policy
4. Provide channels for political participation that enable
citizens to work together to achieve a common goal
Why do interest groups form?
Why might someone
join the National Rifle
Association?
Why might someone
join the National
Education Association?
In general, who is most
likely to join a group?
Why?
1. Social & Economic Stress
2. Technological Changes
3. Government
4. Group Organizers
Why do people join groups?
1. Political Goals
4. Economic Reasons
2. Monetary Benefits 5. Services Offered
3. Coercion
6. Social Reasons
Why do interest groups form?
Group Organizers: they
gain experience and often
become groups of their
own
Government: attempts by
the government to deal
with certain problems
lead to oppositional
groups. Plus, government
helps fund some groups,
especially non-profit
organizations.
Social and Economic Stress (Revolutionary
War, Industrialization, Changes in
Agriculture): greatest surge in group
formation occurred between 1900—1920 as
a result of industrialization, urbanization,
immigration, and the government response
to them.
Technological Changes (Railroads, Telegraph,
Computers): such advances allow groups to
better solicit funds and mobilize members.
The Internet encouraged narrow interests to
form groups, especially when a low budget
was necessary or groups want to operate
anonymously.
Why do Interest Groups form?
•
Because members pay dues, providing groups
with resources to accomplish their goals and
enhance their influence with government, most
groups provide a mix of benefits to maximize
membership.
•
Membership in groups have been in decline in
recent decades (especially in churches, unions,
the PTO). The affects revenue as well as the
personal relationships necessary to facilitate
discussions and trust among citizens (important
to the success of government).
•
Formal membership is decreasing but
membership in mass organizations is increasing
(aka “checkbook” organizations). People pay
dues but do not interact with each other.
Who joins Interest Groups?
People with higher incomes
and higher education are
most likely to join. They can
1) afford the membership
dues, 2) have the free time
to take part, 3) have the
social skills to participation,
4) have the intellectual
ability to contribute, and 5)
they appear more attractive
to groups and, therefore, are
more likely to be recruited.
Special Interest Groups
can be distinguished
according to membership, organizational
structure, and their goals.
Private Interest Groups:
seek economic benefits
for their members or
clients.
• Business: most numerous and among the
most powerful interest groups in Washington;
regardless of who controls the White House,
business generally does well.
• Labor: Organized labor is the principal
competitor with business but runs a distance
second in influence; with more than 100
labor unions, the AFL-CIO is the most
important politically.
• Agriculture: Agricultural interests are
represented by general and specialized
groups; most support subsidies to help
farmers. Special interests (cattle, cotton,
milt, tobacco, etc) are also represented.
•
•
Public Interest Groups:
Lobby for political and
social causes (groups
working for reasons other
than personal of
corporate). If they
succeed, benefits are
shared by non-members.
Increased dramatically in
the 1960’s and 1970’s.
•
•
Women’s groups: National Organization for Women
(NOW) began as a protest movement and is the
largest women’s group with 250,000 members.
Religious groups: The National Council of Churches
has spoken out on civil rights, human rights and
other social issues. Catholic groups have been
active in anti-abortion and anti-nuclear movements.
Jewish groups have been active in lobbying for the
rights of workers and minorities.
Racial and Ethnic groups: NAACP, Congress for
Racial Equality (CORE) and Urban League have
pressed for equal rights for black Americans and
eventually made major changes in the law.
Other Types of Groups: Gays and Lesbians, Elderly
and Environmental
•
Direct Technique: An
interest group activity
that involves personal
interaction with
government officials to
further the group’s goals.
Lobbying Techniques:
Lobbyists engage in an
array of activities to
influence legislation and
government policy:
•
•
•
•
•
Engage in private meetings with public officials to
make known the interests of the lobbyist’s clients.
They provide needed information to officials that
these officials could not gain on their own. It is to
their advantage to provide accurate information.
Testify before congressional committees for or
against proposed legislation
Testify before executive rulemaking agencies for or
against proposed rules.
Assist in drafting prospective legislation or
regulations (provide legal advice on the specific
details of legislation).
Provide political information to officials (how
officials are going to vote).
Supply nominations for federal appointments to
the executive branch.
Strategies of Interest
Groups
1.
2.
3.
4.
Influencing Elections
Lobbying
Litigation
Going Public
• The Ratings Game: SIGs select the votes on
legislation that they feel are most important
to the organization’s goals. Each legislator is
given a score based on the percentage of time
he/she voted in favor of the group’s position.
• Campaign Assistance: SIGs realize the
greatest concern of most officials is to be
reelected so they focus on campaign needs
(money, workers, volunteers) and offer
endorsements (i.e. PACs).
• Political Action Committee: A committee set
up by and representing a corporation, labor
union, or special interest group. PAC’s raise
and give campaign donations on behalf of the
organizations they represent.
Giving Money: The primary way
groups give money to legislators
is through campaign
contributions. Groups set up
political action committees
(PAC) to channel money to
political candidates.
Making Personal Contacts:
Making personal contacts
(formal or informal) is the most
effective technique. Contacting
key officials and their staff is
critical (direct lobbying).
•
Providing Expertise: All groups provide information but
some have a reputation for providing information based
on accurate information. This information is useful in
drafting legislation
•
Testifying at Hearings: This is designed to establish a
group’s credentials as a “player” in a policy area as well
as to convince its own members that it is doing its job.
Testifying offers free publicity.
•
Lobbying the Bureaucracy: Lobbyists must also influence
the public officials who implement policy and influence
who gets appointed to bureaucratic positions (direct
lobbying)
•
Lobbying the Courts: Some groups try to achieve their
goals by getting involved in cases and persuading the
courts to rule in their favor (especially groups that lack
sufficient influence in the legislative or executive branch.
Courts are used as delay tactics and to force negotiations
between two parties (litigation lobbying).
Indirect Technique: A
strategy employed by
interest groups that uses
third parties (i.e. general
public or individuals) to
influence government
officials.
• Generating Public Pressure: SIGs use advertisements in national press, they use television,
mass mailings, the Internet, demonstrations
and public opinion polls (grassroots lobbying).
• Using Constituents as Lobbyists: SIGs try to
mobilize large numbers of constituents to
write, phone or e-mail legislators/president
(grassroots lobbying).
• Building Alliances: SIGs join with other groups
concerned with the same legislation; allows for
expenses to be shared while their influence is
multiplied (coalition lobbying).
Legislative Reorganization
Act of 1946:
First attempt by Congress
to control lobbyists and
their activities.
• It emphasized public disclosure rather than
regulation; It neglected to mention who would
enforce its provisions.
• It defined lobbyist as any person or organization
that received money to be used principally to
influence legislation before Congress. Such
persons were suppose to register 1) their
clients, 2) the purpose of their efforts, and 3)
report quarterly on activities.
• It was declared constitutional in 1956 (United
States v. Harriss) – this law did not violate due
process, freedom of speech, press or petition.
• Most lobbyists were not registered.
• There were no reporting requirements for
lobbying the executive branch, federal agencies,
the courts or congressional staff.
A lobbyist is anyone who
spends at least 20% of
their time lobbying
members of Congress,
their staff or executive
branch officials.
• Lobbyists must register with the clerk of the
House and the secretary of the Senate within
45 days of being hired or making first contact if
the organization spends more than $20,000 in
one year or to individual who are paid more
than $5000 annually for their work.
• Semi-annual reports must disclose the general
nature of the lobbying effort, specific issues ,
the estimated costs of the campaign, and a list
of the branches of government contacted.
• Representatives of US-owned subsidiaries of
foreign-owned firms and lawyers who represent
foreign entities must register.
• The requirements exempt “grassroots” lobbying
efforts and those of tax-exempt organizations
(i.e. religious groups).