{Interest Groups

An organized group that tries to influence public policy

Truman Disturbance theory

Interest groups form in part to counteract the efforts of other groups

What are Interest Groups?

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

Free-Rider Problem Some people don’t join interest groups because

they benefit from the group’s activities without officially joining.

Bigger the group, larger the problem Large groups are difficult to organize

Olson’s law of large groups: “The larger the group, the further it will fall

short of providing an optimal amount of a collective good.”

Overcome Olson’s law by providing selective benefits: Goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their annual dues

What Makes an Interest Group Successful?

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

What Do Interest Groups Do?

Members of Congress targets of lobbyists

Many lobbyists former members Lobbyists work closely with

those members who share their interests

Effectiveness depends on a lobbyists’ reputation for fair play and accurate information

Lobbying Congress

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

implementation stages. An especially strong link exists between

interest groups and regulatory agencies Groups often monitor the implementation

of the laws or policies they advocated.

Lobbying the Executive Branch

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.

Lobbying the Courts

The Interest Group Explosion

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

Grassroots Lobbying