Role of Interest GroupsInterest groups want to PASS POLICYBUT don't run their own candidates for office

More than 2/3 of all Americans belong to at least one group or association.

Supports pluralist interpretation of American politics

Hyperpluralism is a result when so many powerful organized interests are competing that the policymaking process is slowed down.

Is it possible that interest groups can become so powerful that the needs and demands of ordinary citizens can be ignored?

Interest groups can “access,” or influence many points and levels of government

Fundamental Goals of Interest Groups

·Influence public policy.·Influence Congress/government.·Change laws.

Benefits of Interest GroupsWhy do some join and others do not?

Collective Good: if the contribution of an individual will make a difference to an effort, then it is worth it to the individual to join.

Single Incentives – companionship, a sense of belonging, and the pleasure of associating with others

Material Incentives : ·Direct material incentives → provides discounts, insurance plans, and organized travel opportunities for its members.·Indirect material incentives → protects the interests of members from government laws·Purposive incentives – taking action for the sake of their beliefs or principles.

Provides link between the people and the government

Social MovementInterest groups are often spawned by mass social movements.

Social movements may generate interest groups with specific goals

Ex) Civil Rights, environmental, animal rights, women's rights, Christian Rights, gay rights, etc.

Interest groups have become popular due to their quick response to issues and social movements

Types of Powerful Interest Groups

Economic AFL-CIO, CorporateEnvironmental Greenpeace, Sierra Club,

NWTFGender Nat'l Organ. of WomenIdeological NRA, AARP, NARL, ACLUReligious/Social Issues Christian Coalition

Focus on the FamilyEthnic NAACP

Logos for Logo Quiz

Iron Triangles

The connection between an interest group, legislation, and a federal agency

Strategies The key to success for interest groups is the ability to have access to government officials.

1. Publicity, Mass Media, and the Internet

2. Mass Mailing3. Direct Contact w/ Gov't

4. Litigation: 1) Initiating lawsuits or 2) amicus curiae briefsAmicus curiae: "Friend of the Courts"Arguing in cases that they are not direct

parties

5. Protest

6. Supporting a Candidate

7. Contributions to Campaigns

8. Founding new political parties

9. Lobbying

Strategies: Rating GameBasically if a candidate is sympathetic to a group's cause then the group will try to keep that candidate in office

Every year each legislator is given a score based on the percentage of times that he or she voted in favor of the group’s position.

Lobbying

What do lobbyists do?Work closely with the interest groups that employed them.Make sure the results they want do not change before the vote goes through in CongressKnow sometimes much more than Congressmen and serve to educate them on issuesConvince Senators and Reps that if they support legislation that benefits their interest groups then the officials will have the support of the lobbyists constituency

Lobbying TechniquesMeetings with public officials – furnish needed information to Congressmen and government agency appointees.

Testifying before Congressional Committees for or against proposed rules.

Testifying before executive rulemaking agencies

Assisting legislators in drafting legislation or regulations.

Inviting legislators to social occasions.

Providing political info to legislators

Supplying nominations for federal appointments to the executive branch.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Legal arm of interest groups to raise funds for candidates

Main influence is the ability to raise money

Tend to lean towards incumbents

Political Action Committees (PACs)1974 Federal Election Campaign Act Allow corporations, labor unions, and other interest groups to set up PACs to raise money for candidates.·must be from at least 50 volunteer donors and must be given to at least 5 candidates in each election.·Each corporation or union is limited to one PAC.·Interest groups funnel money to the candidates they think can do the most good for them.·Maximum contribution to each candidate is $5,000 per election·Interest groups see PAC contributions as a way to ensure access to powerful legislators·There is no limit on the amount a PAC can spend on issue advocacy, either on behalf of a candidate or party or in opposition to one.

Money and PoliticsSoft Money: Unlimited money raised for party building purposesLargely illegal except for limited contributionsParty building may include ads that educate voters about issues, as long as the ads don't take the crucial step of telling voters which candidates to vote for.

Hard Money: from political donations that are regulated by law through the Federal Election Commission

Independent Expenditures: Spending your own money for or against a candidate

527 Organizations: type of U.S. tax-exempt organization named after Section 527 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; They are ran by interest groups on issue advocacy and not candidates

Governor Woods runs an ad that says, "I am a good person. President Eanes is a bad person. Vote for me on election day." Because of the "Vote for me..." portion, this is a political ad, which must be paid for with "hard money."

President Eanes runs an ad that says, "Governor Woods has a record that includes awful things. If these awful things continue, people will come to your house, steal your money and shoot your dog. Be sure to vote on election day."

Because the ad "educates" people on an issue and doesn't tell them to vote for a particular candidate, it's party building, and can be paid for by soft money.

Soft Money vs. Hard Money

Top 10 PACs 2008PAC Name Total

AmountDem Pct

Repub Pct

National Assn of Realtors

$4,020,900 58% 42%

Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

$3,344,650 98% 2%

AT&T Inc $3,108,200 47% 52%American Bankers Assn

$2,918,143 43% 57%

National Beer Wholesalers Assn

$2,869,000 53% 47%

National Auto Dealers Assn

$2,860,000 34% 66%

International Assn of Fire Fighters

$2,734,900 77% 22%

Operating Engineers Union

$2,704,067 87% 13%

American Assn for Justice

$2,700,500 95% 4%

Laborers Union $2,555,350 92% 8%

Opensecrets.org WebQuest

1. Explore the website2. Click on Influence/Lobbying and click the PACs Link3. What are the top three PACs for the 2011-12 year?4. Which party received the most percentage of the money from each?5. What are Super PACs?6. What court case led to the creation of Super PACs?7. Name the top three Super PACs and the candidate or viewpoints if candidate is not listed.8. Find 3 different PACs that interest you.9. Write down total contribution made10. Which party did the most money go to?