Tuesday December 3, 2013
• OBJ: SWBT understand types of interest
groups and how they work by reading an
article on immigration.
• Drill: What are the benefits of interest
groups? What are three reasons people
join interest groups? What is the free rider
problem?
• Homwork:
1
Answers
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•
•
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Checking the power of the majority
Better representation of interests
Avenue for political involvement
Dispersal of costs
2
Answers
• Purposive benefits: The emotional and
psychological benefits members receive
knowing they have contributed to a cause
they feel is worthwhile
• Solidarity benefits: The social benefits
members receive after meeting new
people and friends they worked with to
promote the cause
• Informational benefits: The educational
benefits members receive after having
learned more about the issues that matter 3
to them
Answers
• A person who chooses to receive the
benefits of a "public good" or a "positive
externality" without contributing to paying
the costs of producing those benefits.
4
What methods might you
use to get the boy or girl
that you like to notice/talk
with/etc. you?
5
This can be applied to interest
groups
• What are the 2 ways interest groups try to
promote change?
– Inside Strategies
– Outside Strategies
6
Insider Strategies
Local
State
E
E
E
L
L
L
J
J
Federal
J
7
Outsider Strategies
A
Local
State
Federal
E
E
E
L
L
L
M
E
R
I
C
A
N
P
E
O
J
J
J
P
L
E
8
Inside Strategies
Outside strategies
Rely on trust, access, quality information, and personal relationships
Rely on message, access to the media, and money
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lobbying Congress
Testifying at Congressional Committee
hearings
Writing and distributing briefs and
reports on issues and legislation
Working with White House staff to
develop policy positions
Drafting legislation
Lobbying bureaucratic offices to gain
support for rule changes
Writing and submitting Amicus Curie
(Friend of the Court Briefs) to the
Supreme Court
Issuing report cards that grade elected
officials on how consistent they are with
the interest group’s beliefs
Sharing information (poll data, election
results, research findings, etc.)
Take elected officials on “fact-finding”
tours related to issues important to the
group
Campaign contributions to elected
officials through PAC’s
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Distributing pamphlets, flyers,
magazines, and sponsoring
membership drives
Making speeches
Appear as an “expert” for TV sound
bites
Direct mailings
Sponsoring litigation (Class action and
individual cases)
Campaigning for and against
candidates
Mobilizing and educating voters
Soliciting monetary donations through
PAC’s
Issuing report cards that grade elected
officials on how consistent they are
with the interest group’s beliefs
Protests, demonstrations, or other
forms of mass mobilization
Developing TV and Radio spots
Offering potential voters “political
9
cues” on issues
Polling
Health Care Reform
• In the 1990’s President and Mrs. Clinton
wanted to reform the health care system.
• They tried a number of different avenues.
• Read the article and underline any
example of an inside strategy, circle any
example of an outside strategy.
• Which do you think is more effective?
Why?
10
Immigration Reform
• Recently there has been a debate over
how to reform immigration.
• Congressmen and interest groups tried a
number of different avenues.
• Read the article and underline any
example of an inside strategy, circle any
example of an outside strategy.
• Which do you think is more effective?
Why?
11
Interest Group Ratings of Selected Member of Congress
12
Top Lobbying Expenditures
14
Sandy,
Who should decide the future of Social Security and Medicare?
A small commission or all of Congress?
Tell your senators that these decisions are too important to be made without an open public debate.
If you and I don't act now – the future of Social Security and Medicare could be decided for us without a public debate. Next week your
senators will decide whether to give a special commission the power to propose drastic cuts to the programs that millions of seniors
depend on: Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. The proposals could be voted on immediately, without full transparency and
accountability – and without our voices being heard. We can't let that happen. Tell Sen. Mikulski and Sen. Cardin to say "no" to fast-track
proposals on Medicare and Social Security by voting against the Conrad-Gregg amendment. Make no mistake – AARP and most Americans
are deeply concerned about increasing debt, health care costs and the long-term solvency of Social Security. But as some of the most
fundamental challenges we face as a nation, surely these issues deserve full and open debate by all members of Congress. You elected
your members of Congress to make the tough decisions, not to punt them to a special "commission." Tell your senators to vote "NO" on
the Conrad-Gregg amendment. Thank you for your help on this urgent matter. Sincerely, Barry Jackson Senior Manager, Grassroots
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people 50 and over www.aarp.org/about_aarp/aarp_overview/a20021218aarpmission.html
Visit AARPs Politics & Advocacy page at www.aarp.org/makeadifference/politics/ to learn more about AARP legislative activities.
AARP Membership: Join/Renew at www.aarp.org/join/
Make a donation today to AARP and help us ensure the voices of our 39 million members are heard in the nations capital and state capitals across the country.
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15
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Number of Lobbyists
10,690
13,341
12,763
12,077
12,347
13,161
13,403
14,440
14,874
15,329
14,453
PAC Name
Total Amount
Dem Pct
Repub Pct
National Assn of Realtors
$3,872,400
57%
43%
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
$2,985,850
98%
2%
AT&T Inc
$2,965,700
45%
55%
National Beer Wholesalers Assn
$2,845,000
53%
47%
National Auto Dealers Assn
$2,725,500
34%
66%
American Bankers Assn
$2,671,893
41%
59%
Operating Engineers Union
$2,660,320
87%
13%
International Assn of Fire Fighters
$2,651,900
77%
23%
American Assn for Justice
$2,576,000
95%
5%
Honeywell International
$2,494,116
53%
47%
Laborers Union
$2,462,850
92%
8%
Air Line Pilots Assn
$2,352,000
85%
15%
Credit Union National Assn
$2,216,049
54%
46%
Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union
$2,193,300
97%
3%
Plumbers/Pipefitters Union
$2,187,889
95%
5%
American Federation of Teachers
$2,181,250
99%
1%
Service Employees International Union
$2,143,250
94%
5%
National Air Traffic Controllers Assn
$2,139,975
79%
20%
National Assn of Home Builders
$2,139,000
44%
56%
Teamsters Union
$2,018,500
97%
3%
The Revolving Door
Lobbyist
Work for or
as a member
of the
legislative or
executive
branch
Hart, Vicki E: Lobbyist Livingston Group
Employment History
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lobbyist
Lobbyist
Lobbyist
Lobbyist
Lobbyist
Lobbyist
Special Assistant
Special Assistant
Dole)
2003-2005
2002-2003
2002-2004
2001-2002
2000-2003
1998-2002
1994-2002
Hart Health Strategies
Piper Rudnick LLP
Health Policy Source
HC Assoc
Bob Dole Enterprises
Verner, Liipfert et al
Lott, Trent
Senate Majority Leader (Bob
Which Strategy Works Best?
• Each group will be assigned a scenario,
using what you have learned decide on
three outside and three inside strategies to
solve your problem.
• For each strategy provide an explanation
as to why you think it would work.
23
Examine your scenario and
develop a three step program to
address the problem. Be
specific and prepared to explain
your decisions.
24
Your interest group is organized to
protect reproductive rights. Recently,
the president nominated someone to
become a Supreme Court Justice that
you believe is too conservative. Plan
a combined inside and outside
strategy to block the nomination of
this justice.
25
Your interest group is focused on informing
the public about elected officials’ actions
that are consistent and inconsistent with
your group’s beliefs. Your goals are to put
pressure on these elected officials to get
consistent or reward them for being
consistent. Plan combined inside and
outside strategy that would meet these
ends.
26
Your interest group supports the rights
those opposed to affirmative action.
Plan a combined inside and outside
strategy that would allow you to
force the Supreme Court to issue a
ruling on a case related to
affirmative action. (Hint--this should
be a several step process, executed
over a long period of time).
27
Your interest group is focused on a
bill under consideration by
Congress that would raise the
minimum wage in the United
States. Plan an inside strategy
that would assist this legislation in
being passed.
28
Your interest group is focused
on ensuring that access to
automatic weapons is more
difficult. Plan an outside
strategy that would assist the
promotion of your issue onto
the public policy agenda.
29
Your interest group is focused on
maintaining good relationships
with members of Congress and
the Executive Branch that support
your stance on issues. Plan an
insider strategy that would enable
you to maintain these
relationships.
30
Your interest group is heavily
involved in assisting candidates
running for office that are
sympathetic to your issues. Plan
a combined inside and outside
strategy that would ensure the
election/reelection of these
candidates.
31
Your interest group desires to see
a bureaucratic rule regarding the
disposal of hazardous wastes
changed. Plan an inside strategy
that would enable this rule to be
changed.
32
Wrap Up
• Why might an interest group need to resort
to outside strategies? What are the pros
and cons of this style?
34