Chapter 9 - Interest Groups
Review
Why are lobby groups such an important part
of politics today?
Why are lobby groups such an important part
of politics today?
They give information to public officials that
they might not otherwise have, technical or
industry specific information that is not
available to everyone. They can also help
write legislation specific to their industry,
since they’re in the best position to know
what would and would not help. They also
are linking institution, much like a political
party, because they link the people to
governmental institutions.
Where do lobby groups get their power from?
Where do lobby groups get their power from?
First, in their ability to organize their
members, regardless of the size. Many are
able to mount outside lobby efforts such as
letter writing & email campaigns which
increase the public pressure on policy
makers. They also have their PACs, which
are the organizations they use to raise and
distribute funds for election purposes,
which of course is secondary to their ability
to organize.
Speaking of which, what are PACs?
Speaking of which, what are PACs?
Like already stated, they are the organizations
for interest groups that raise and distribute
funds for election campaigns. Their
influence has been minimized as a result of
various campaign finance reform that limits
contribution to politicians. Most of their
money is given to those already in office,
because the devil you know is better than
the one you don’t. Especially if that devil
has a voting record that supports most of
that group’s policy issues
What is the revolving door of politics? What
are the problems with it?
What is the revolving door of politics? What
are the problems with it?
It’s the idea that there are those within the
government, such as the FDA, that can
influence legislation or regulations, with the
idea that perhaps they can leave
government and give a nice cushy job with a
significant increase in pay.
What is inside lobbying?
What is inside lobbying?
Lobbying where there is direct communication
between the lobby group and the policy
maker - based on the value of the close
relationship, developed over time, or with
support via information. For example, a
member of a lobby group playing golf or
having dinner with an influential staffer or
the congressman him or herself.
What are issue networks?
What are issue networks?
This is an informal group of officials,
lobbyists, and policy specialists (this is the
network) who come together, usually
temporarily, by a shared interest in a
particular policy problem (the issue). For
example, AARP lobbyists, Department of the
Treasury officials, and members of the
executive branch on the issue of privatizing
a portion of social security.
What are free-rider, and why are they a
problem?
What are free-rider, and why are they a
problem?
Free riders are those who may get a benefit
from a lobby group, but choose not to join
or support that group. For example, Mr.
McKinnon probably won’t join AARP when
the time comes, but will enjoy their work at
maintaining the status quo regarding Social
Security. It’s a problem, in that these free
loaders, er, I mean free riders don’t pay the
groups that help them out. Usually applies
to economic interest groups.
What are citizen’s groups?
What are citizen’s groups?
Also known as noneconomic groups,
members are drawn together not by the
promise of economic gain but by purposive
incentives – opportunities to promote a
cause in which they believe. Could be
reduce the threat of nuclear war (freezniks),
return prayer to public schools, feed the
poor. They have a harder time organizing
because they do not generate the profits or
fees. (Offices are usually low rent and
cramped)
What did James Madison think of Special
Interest Groups?
What did James Madison think of Special
Interest Groups?
Well, first, he called them factions, not interest
groups. He thought they were dangerous,
unavoidable, and feared that government
could be dominated by them. But two things
to remember – a free society is obliged to
permit these groups to exist, and that the
best defense was a good Constitution.
What’s pluralism?
What’s pluralism?
Well, plural means more than one, and in this
case, it means more than one group. And in
this case, it’s the idea that nearly all
interests are adequately presented through
group activity.
What are grassroots campaigns?
What are grassroots campaigns?
It begins at the level of the people…The Tea
Party is a good example. They exercise their
power by when this large number of people
contacts their representative in Washington,
in fact, they depend on the fact that
representatives respond to the pressure.
Also, these terms you may want to know;
Purposive incentive, public good, collective
good, economic groups, interest group
liberalism (yeah, I forgot I put it on the test,
sorry), issue networks, public interest
groups.
Hope this helps.
That’s It.
If you know all this, you’ll
probably pass the test!!