chapter 16 pearson education, inc. © 2006 american government 2006 edition (to accompany...

Chapter 16

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006

American Government2006 Edition(to accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, Texas, and Essentials Editions)

O’Connor and Sabato

Interest Groups


Reported Acts Designed to Influence Policy Makers


What Are Interest Groups? An organized group that tries to

influence public policy David Truman

One of first to study interest groups Posed Disturbance Theory

Theory that interest groups form in party to counteract the efforts of other groups.


What Are Interest Groups? Robert Salisbury

Expanded Truman’s theory Groups form when resources are

inadequate or scarce Stressed the role that leaders play:

entrepreneurs


Kinds of Organized Interests Generally, interest

groups is a term used to describe the numerous organized groups that try to influence government policy.

Public Interest Groups Economic Interest

Groups Governmental Units Political Action

Committees Multi-Issue versus

Single Issue Groups


Profiles of Selected Interest Groups


The Roots & Development of American Interest Groups

National groups emerge (1830-1889) Communication networks enabled

nationalization of groups First were single-issue groups deeply rooted in

the Christian religious revivalism Temperance, Peace, Education, and Slavery

Other groups emerged after the Civil War Lobbyists

Interest group representative who seeks to influence legislation that will benefit his or her organization through political persuasion.


NRA membership


The Roots & Development of American Interest Groups The Progressive Era (1890-1920)

Grew out of concern for impact of rapid industrialization, influx of immigration, monopolistic business practices, crime, poverty, poor working conditions

Organized Labor AFL Clayton Act: allowed unions to organize free from

prosecution and guaranteed their right to strike Business Groups and Trade Associations

Trade Associations: a group that represents a specific industry

National Electric Light Association


Labor Union Membership


The Rise of the Interest Group State 1960s and 1970s saw

a reappearance of the Progressive spirit. Civil Rights Women’s Rights Elderly Poor Consumers Environment

Common Cause and Ralph Nader’s Public Citizen

Conservative Backlash: Religious and Ideological Groups Jerry Falwell and the

Moral Majority Pat Robertson, the

700 Club and the Christian Coalition

National Rifle Association


Business Groups, Corporations, and Associations Rise in business advocacy groups More political that Chamber of Commerce

Example: The Business Roundtable Created in 1972 Urges member to engage in direct lobbying to influence

the course of public policy Most large corporations have

Own governmental affairs department Employ D.C.-based lobbyists to keep them apprised

of legislation Gave substantial soft money in the past Still use PACS, 527s, and thus contribute a great deal

of money


Organized Labor

Began to emerge as powerful player early in the 20th century Could turn out members Focus not only on labor issues, but also

other issues of concern to its members

More recently labor has lost some clout Membership down


What Do Interest Groups Do? Lobbying

The activities of a group or organization that seeks to influence legislation and persuade political leaders to support the group’s position

23 ways for lobbyists and organizations to lobby on the state and national level Most often they: testify at legislative

hearings, contact government officials directly, help draft legislation


Groups and Lobbyists


Lobbying Congress Members of Congress targets of

lobbyists Many lobbyists former members

Former Senators Bob Dole (R-KS) and Robert Mitchell (D-ME) earn well over a million dollars a year as Washington lobbyists.


Lobbying Congress Today lobbyists try to develop

close relationships with members to gain access to the process of policy making. Information is critical.

Lobbyists also work most closely with representatives who are their friends.


Attempts to Reform Congressional Lobbying

Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act, 1946 Lobbying Disclosure Act, 1995

Employs a strict definition of lobbyist Requires lobbyists to:

Register with the clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate

Report their clients and issues and the agency or house they lobbied

Estimate the amount they are paid by each client

Makes it easier for watchdog groups to track the lobbying activity


The Ethics in Government Act


Lobbying the Executive Branch

As the scope of federal government has expanded, so has lobbying of the executive branch Many potential access points Lobbyist seek influence at formation and

implementation stages. An especially strong link exists between

interest groups and regulatory agencies.


Lobbying the Courts

Can take two forms Direct sponsorship Filing amicus curiae briefs

Brief that informs the court of the group’s policy preferences, generally in guise of legal arguments

Interest groups also attempt to influence who is nominated and placed on the bench.


Grassroots Lobbying

A form of pressure-group activity that attempts to involve individuals who contact their representatives directly in an effort to influence policy

Persuading ordinary voters to act as the group’s advocates


Protest Activities

Some groups resort to more forceful, legal as well as illegal measures to attract attention to their cause. Sometimes violent, illegal protest

(Boston Tea Party, Shay’s Rebellion) Civil Rights Movement

Marches with permits legal


Election Activities

Candidate recruitment and endorsements

Getting out the vote Rating the candidates or office

holders Political action committees


What Makes An Interest Group Successful?

Leaders Patrons and Funding

Person who finances a group or individual activity

Members Free riders: potential members fail to join

a group because they can get the benefit, or collective good, sought by the group without contributing to it.


Potential Versus Actual Interest Group Members

chapter 16 pearson education, inc. © 2006 american government 2006 edition (to accompany...

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groups national groups

business groups

pearson education

groups economic

nationalization of groups

singleissue groups

business advocacy groups

numerous organized groups