CHAPTER 10
INTEREST GROUPS
Interest Groups: Organized group who share the same political goals &
try to influence public policy!
Do interest groups contribute to the proper functioning of democracy, or are
they a threat to it?
Alexis de Tocqueville: suggested the ease with which Americans form
organizations is a reflection of a strong
Democratic culture
James Madison: Federalist #10
*factions are sown in the nature of man
*believed it’s a mistake to try to eliminate factions because
it restricts Liberty!
1) What are the roles of Interest Groups?
1. Representation- represent your constituents/members
2. Participation- facilitate people to get involved
example- KEA and postcards for the levy
3. Education- educate members, the public and
government officials
4. Agenda Building- get your message on the NEWS
5.
Program monitoring- Keep track of legislation &
how it’s working
ex: welfare reform, or EPA standards
2) How do Interest Groups form?
David Truman: “Disturbance Theory”
Herbert Gan: The Urban Villagers
Boston West Enders- old Italian neighborhood
They did nothing when their homes were
to be destroyed
Robert Salisbury: The quality of Leadership is a key
determinant of success
NIMBY: Not In My Back Yard!
3) Who is an interest group entrepreneur? A LEADER of the group
just like a president CEO in a business
Caesar CHAVEZ___- United Farm Workers “Grape Boycott”
What traits do interest groups usually have when they are organized and
effective?
_____________________________________________________
4) INTEREST GROUP RESOURCES
****1. __MEMBERSHIP__
 Persuade members you are doing a good job
 Businesses, professional and labor associations have an easier
time of retaining members—they don’t have to rely on voluntary
contributions.
 You are more apt to pay into an interest group if it deals with
your profession.
How to attract New members?
-Direct Mail-Sending out expensive pamphlets that appeal
to the heartstrings of citizens
-Internet, T.V. Ads, Newspaper advertising
-Some people join because they believe no one else will help
-Benefits: AARP card
 Attracting New Members—sometimes a few issues have a lot of
interest groups representing them so there is a lot of competition.
Environment—Friends of the Earth, Sierra Club, Audubon
__CITIZEN GROUPS___ concerned about an issue NOT related
to their occupation
__FREE RIDER_____Problem:
NPR listeners who never send in any money
2)LOBBYISTS1) What do they do?
*They give ___KNOWLEDGE___ and facts to
legislators to influence public policy to benefit the interest
group they work for
-convince policymakers that their information is the most
important
2) How do they get their jobs?
*___EXPERTS__ in an area of policy important to
the interest group they represent
* hired from __LAW FIRMS____ or public relations firms
* lawyers who have worked within the bureaucracy at
some point & they are the most wanted!
Relationships already exist- easy access
Can make upwards of a million dollars if you are really good!
_40_% of Representatives and Senators become employed
as lobbyists. They know congressmen and the
congressmen will return their phone calls.
MAIN JOB of a Lobbyist---convince policymakers that their data
deserves more attention and is more accurate than those presented
by the opposing lobbyists.
What are PACS? Political Action Committees
Objective: _POOL CAMPAIGN____contributions and
donate those monies to candidates for political office
The most a PAC can give a candidate per election is $5,000.00
The Greatest Growth in PACS have come from CORPORATIONS
--table page 335
Top _5__% of PACS account for over half of all money donated
to candidates.
Two Types:
1) Corporate
2) __NON CONNECTED____ (ideological)- not attached to a
profession where you make money.
Goal: gain _ACCESS_to incumbents and
congressional committee work where BILLS are written.
Controversial- because money contributed leads to influence that
not all citizens have
Defenders argue that PAC’s are a way for people to participate
in politics
5)Lobbying Tactics:
A. ___DIRECT LOBBYING________
Having direct contact with a legislator “IN PERSON”
Testifying before congressional hearings
Organizing lawsuits and litigating
B. _____GRASSROOTS__________ Lobbying
Rank & file members: write letters, make phone calls &
sometimes protest—to attract media attention
C. __INFORMATION_____Campaigns
Bringing the group’s views to the public’s attention
Advertising in newspapers, sending speakers to meetings,
Disseminating flyers and fact sheets
Sponsoring research
Publicize the voting records of Congress
D. ____HIGH TECH________ Lobbying
Using e-mail, polling and the World Wide Web
to expand their views
This speeds up the process and is less expensive!
Also allows for connections between people who might
have never connected (meet up groups)
E. _COALITION____ Building
The joining of interest groups for a temporary time
to accomplish goals
5) Is the System biased?
*The __ middle class and upper classes are more represented
*However, the poor are represented by many _citizen groups____
Example: Children’s Defense Fund
However the poor are seriously underrepresented.
*Data proves that Businesses have, since the 1970’s, had an
advantage in the interest group system. See chart pg 346
*__HEALTH CARE___ lobbyists have also skyrocketed
1999- 2,300
2009- over 3,600
*The Party in power has more say in legislation than the other
6) Reform?
*Since 1995 Lobbyists must disclose their clients, the amount of money
they spend on lobbying activities, and amount of money
they were paid
2002 Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act—McCain Feingold
2010 Supreme Court Decision—Citizen’s United -basically overturns
BCFA and Leads to SUPER PACS
*Tension between Freedom and Equality
Leads to frustration at the inequalities between the
rich and the poor
However, people should have a right to join interest groups
and donate money