Interest Groups
When controversy erupted over whether to keep both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts as singlesex organizations, representatives from both groups exercised a form of lobbying — they
testified before Congress at hearings on the issue.
So, the election is over. How can the average American remain involved in politics without
waiting for the next election? One chief means of influencing the American government is by
joining an interest group — an organization that pressures elected officials to enact legislation
favorable to its causes.
Types of Interest Groups
Actually, there are three major types of interest groups. Animal rights groups such as People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) and environmental interest groups such as Greenpeace
usually organize as public-interest groups. These groups claim to work not for self interest but
for the best interest of the public.
Underpaid professional workers may organize as groups. Lawyers belong to the American Bar
Association, doctors belong to the American Medical Association, and teachers belong to the
National Education Association or the American Federation of Teachers. Labor unions such as
the AFL-CIO and the Teamsters' Union to protect workers in factories or businesses.
The most common type of interest group is formed around businesses, corporations, and trade
associations. Part of their reputation for power is based on the fact that they represent about half
of all interest groups in Washington. People who criticize interest groups for having undue
power in government believe that the business groups get special privileges for people who
already have more wealth and power than ordinary citizens. For example, the oil and tobacco
industries each have interest groups who promote their respective interests on Capitol Hill.
How Interest Groups Work
Interest groups send representatives to state capitals and to Washington, D.C. to put pressure on
members of Congress and other policymakers. They engage in lobbying, or the organized
process of influencing legislation or policy. Lobbying can take many forms. Interest groups can
testify in congressional hearings. For example, several years ago, when Congress was
considering discrimination in private clubs, representatives of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts
appeared in hearings to try to persuade Congress to allow each one to remain a single-sex
organization. Lobbyists also contact government officials directly or informally, present research
results and technical information, talk with people from the press and the media, and sometimes
even help to draft legislation.
Why should the politicians listen? Interest groups also actively involve themselves in political
campaigns. This electioneering is intended to help elect candidates who favor their positions or
to defeat those who oppose them. It is generally conducted by political action committees
(PACs), who serve as special political arms for the interest groups.
This chart outlines the donations of political action committees (PACs) that represent the tobacco
industry from January 1997 to June 1998. Notice how the levels of giving fluctuate given the
corresponding congressional action.
The number of PACs has grown rapidly since the early 1970s, when campaign finance reform
laws were passed that restricted individual contributions to campaigns. PACs have changed the
face of American elections. They have contributors who write checks to them specifically for the
purpose of campaign donations. For example, if a person wants to support candidates who
oppose gun control, he or she can contribute to the PAC that represents the National Rifle
Association. The PAC, then, will make direct contributions to individual campaigns of selected
candidates.
Do interest groups corrupt government by "buying" influence? Critics believe that they do
because more money comes from businesses and corporations than from any other source. This,
they contend, gives them a connection to government that ordinary people do not have. From
another point of view, everyone is free to form and join interest groups. So many exist that there
is literally a group for everyone. These multiple contacts make the American democracy
stronger, because they give the opportunity for all Americans to have better access to their
government.
Name _____________________________
Date __________
Interest Groups
1. What is the definition of interest group?
2. What are the three main types of interest groups? Fill out the chart below to sort them out…
Type of interest group:
Type of interest group:
Type of interest group:
Real life example:
Real life example:
Real life example:
Goal(s):
Goal(s):
Goal(s):
3. How do interest groups work? Explain this in your own words using the terms: Policymakers,
lobbying and congressional hearings.
4. Why do politicians usually listen to what interest groups say?
5. Why were campaign finance reform laws passed in the 1970s?
6. Do interest groups corrupt politics by “buying” influence? Fill out the chart below comparing
the two points of view…
Yes!
No!
Reasoning:
Reasoning:
7. Very recently, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the majority of campaign finance reform
laws and ruled that companies and individuals can large cash donations directly to candidates
running for office. The claim is that this is a form of “free speech” protected by the
Constitution. Do you agree with the Supreme Court? Why or why not?
8. When you look at the chart of political contributions over the last year, do the amounts of
money being donated surprise you? Why or why not?
9. Which types of groups tend to donate more to democrats? How about republicans?
10. If you were a politician running for or currently in office, how closely would you listen to
interest groups? How much money would you accept from them? Why?
Source: opensecrets.org
LEGEND:
fence
Ran
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Republican
Democrat
On the
Organization
ActBlue
American Fedn of State, County &
Municipal Employees
National Education Assn
AT&T Inc
National Assn of Realtors
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Goldman Sachs
United Auto Workers
Carpenters & Joiners Union
Service Employees International Union
Laborers Union
American Federation of Teachers
Communications Workers of America
Teamsters Union
JPMorgan Chase & Co
United Food & Commercial Workers
Union
United Parcel Service
Citigroup Inc
National Auto Dealers Assn
EMILY's List
AFL-CIO
American Bankers Assn
Machinists & Aerospace Workers Union
American Medical Assn
Microsoft Corp
National Beer Wholesalers Assn
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
General Electric
National Assn of Home Builders
Total '89Dem
'14
%
$100,887,828 99%
Repub
%
0%
$61,339,129
80%
1%
$58,783,738
$56,789,597
$52,431,322
$45,516,130
$45,112,865
$41,669,153
$41,478,546
$38,569,790
$38,089,860
$37,039,075
$36,326,885
$36,153,707
$34,809,107
56%
41%
43%
91%
53%
71%
71%
84%
83%
89%
86%
88%
48%
4%
57%
46%
2%
44%
0%
9%
2%
7%
0%
0%
5%
51%
$33,970,100
86%
0%
$32,565,382
$32,406,962
$32,136,910
$31,654,912
$31,558,377
$31,372,752
$31,356,147
$30,030,759
$29,440,923
$29,240,010
$29,015,753
$28,293,623
$27,639,630
35%
48%
31%
98%
60%
36%
98%
40%
55%
35%
36%
47%
34%
64%
50%
68%
0%
3%
63%
1%
59%
43%
64%
63%
51%
65%
Tilt
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Lockheed Martin
Bank of America
National Assn of Letter Carriers
Morgan Stanley
Verizon Communications
Deloitte LLP
Time Warner
Newsweb Corp
Plumbers & Pipefitters Union
Credit Union National Assn
Altria Group
Ernst & Young
Operating Engineers Union
American Hospital Assn
International Assn of Fire Fighters
Sheet Metal Workers Union
PricewaterhouseCoopers
American Dental Assn
Boeing Co
UBS AG
Comcast Corp
$27,479,254
$27,085,443
$26,211,359
$26,138,330
$25,603,917
$25,265,833
$24,551,637
$24,536,371
$24,510,898
$24,270,655
$23,890,998
$23,363,718
$23,296,173
$23,075,101
$23,002,060
$22,570,778
$22,544,797
$21,942,008
$21,873,853
$21,593,322
$20,815,485
42%
41%
84%
42%
40%
35%
72%
40%
83%
47%
28%
42%
82%
52%
79%
95%
35%
44%
46%
40%
57%
56%
57%
9%
56%
58%
63%
25%
0%
4%
51%
71%
57%
14%
46%
16%
2%
64%
54%
52%
58%
42%