pearson education, inc., longman © 2006 chapter 6 interest groups american government: policy &...

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2006

Chapter 6

Interest Groups

American Government:

Policy & Politics, Eighth Edition

TANNAHILL


In This Chapter We Will Cover:

• Types of interest groups

• Interest group tactics

• The strength of interest groups


What Is an Interest Group?

Interest Groups are organizations of people who join together voluntarily on the basis of some interest they share for the purpose of influencing policy.


Types of Interest Groups

• Business Groups and Trade Associations

–These are the most numerous and most potent of America’s interest groups. (ex. Citicorp, American Bankers Association)



• Labor Unions

–Today 12 percent of the civilian labor force belongs to a union. (ex. AFL-CIO)



• Agricultural Groups

–Farming groups are influential on farm issues at the national level and in state legislatures in farming states. (ex. American Farm Bureau)



• Professional Associations

– These associations are concerned with public policies that affect their members. Doctors, lawyers, realtors and other professionals form professional associations. (ex. AMA)



• Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups

– Organizations that represent the interests of racial and ethnic minorities are an important political force in most big cities and in states where minority populations are large enough to translate into political power. (ex. NAACP)


Types of Interest Groups• Religious Groups

– Throughout American history, religious organizations have been active in the policy process. Today, the most active, religiously oriented political groups are associated with the religious right. (ex. Christian Coalition)

• The religious right refers to individuals who hold conservative views because of their religious beliefs.



• Citizens’, Advocacy, and Cause Groups

– Citizens’ groups are organized to support policies believed to benefit the public at large. (ex. Common Cause)



–Advocacy groups seek benefits on behalf of groups of persons who are in some way incapacitated or otherwise unable to represent their own interests.



–Cause groups are organizations whose members care intensely about a single issue or small group of related issues. (ex. National Right to Life Committee, National Abortion Rights Action League)


Interest Group Tactics

• Electioneering - seeking policy influence by participating in the electoral process–Endorsements–Educating members–Contributing money through a

PAC


PAC Contributions, 2002


PAC Contributions by Party



• Lobbying is communicating by a representative of an interest group to government officials to influence policy decisions.



• Creating public pressure involves generating public support for a group’s policy then focusing it on policymakers.

• Protest demonstrations - Groups that cannot afford public relations experts and advertising costs pursue their goals by means of protest demonstrations.



• Litigation - A number of groups have become expert in the use of litigation. Often groups have emphasized litigation when other avenues of redress were closed to the group’s efforts.

• Political violence - Some groups employ unconventional methods to achieve their goals.


The Strength of Interest Groups

The policymaking influence of interest groupsdepends on several factors.

>Alliances with political parties>Alliances with members of Congress and executive branch officials>Public opinion>Unity among groups representing the same cause

>Opposition from other groups


Concluding Review Questions

• What are the major types of interest groups in the United States and what are their goals?

• Why are business groups and trade associations more influential than other types of groups?

• What strategies do interest groups employ to influence outcomes?


Concluding Review Questions

• What approaches do lobbyists take to influence policymaking?

• What role do interest groups play in the policymaking process?

pearson education, inc., longman © 2006 chapter 6 interest groups american government: policy &...

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