Interest Groups in American
Politics
 An organized group of people with shared
goals and a desire to influence government
action
 Some groups have explicitly political origins
while others have nonpolitical origins
Interest Groups are different
from Parties
 Parties focus much more on elections
 Parties have broader interests to represent
 Party membership is not as formal
 Parties perform important psychological
functions
Why Do People join Groups?
 Shared Interests?

Pluralist view
 Selective Benefits?


Assumes Rational behavior
Benefits may be tangible or intangible
 Combination of Both

Selective, tangible benefits



Material or informational
Solidary benefits (selective)
Purposive Benefits
Interest Groups Perform Many
important Societal Functions
 Aggregate and represent interests
 Opportunity for political participation

SES bias
 Help formulate public policy

Agenda setting
 Candidate Recruitment
 Evaluate programs
Access
 Successful groups are those that gain access to the
policy making process.


Actual involvement of interest groups in the decisionmaking process within government.
Influence within government rather than influence on
government.
 Access can be developed over time via other
activities that allow groups to develop close
relationships with government officials.
How do Groups Influence
Legislators?
 Going Public
 Direct and Grassroots Lobbying

Who are the lobbyists?
 Supplying Information
How Do Groups Influence the
Bureaucracy?
 Supplying Information
 Influence executive appointments
How do Groups Influence the
Courts?
 Sponsor litigation
 Amicus Curiae briefs
 Influence Judicial Selection
Groups Can Also Influence
Election Outcomes
 Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises and distributes campaign
funds for elective office
 Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA)
 The number of PACs has increased dramatically
since the 1970s
 Spending Loopholes


Soft Money (now restricted under McCain/Feingold)
Independent Expenditures
 Contribution Strategies
Determinants of Group
Effectiveness
 Opposition
 Nature of goal (positive or negative)
 $$$
 Membership
 Potential for coalitions