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Interest Groups in American Politics

Interest Groups in American Politics. An organized group of people with shared goals and a desire to influence government action Some groups have explicitly political origins while others have nonpolitical origins. Interest Groups are different from Parties.

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Interest Groups in American Politics

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  1. Interest Groups in American Politics • An organized group of people with shared goals and a desire to influence government action • Some groups have explicitly political origins while others have nonpolitical origins

  2. Interest Groups are different from Parties • Parties focus much more on elections • Parties have broader interests to represent • Party membership is not as formal • Parties perform important psychological functions

  3. Why Do People join Groups? • Shared Interests? • Pluralist view • Selective Benefits? • Assumes Rational behavior • Benefits may be tangible or intangible • Combination of Both • Selective, tangible benefits • Material or informational • Solidary benefits (selective) • Purposive Benefits

  4. Interest Groups Perform Many important Societal Functions • Aggregate and represent interests • Opportunity for political participation • SES bias • Help formulate public policy • Agenda setting • Candidate Recruitment • Evaluate programs

  5. Access • Successful groups are those that gain access to the policy making process. • Actual involvement of interest groups in the decision-making process within government. • Influence within government rather than influence on government. • Access can be developed over time via other activities that allow groups to develop close relationships with government officials.

  6. How do Groups Influence Legislators? • Going Public • Direct and Grassroots Lobbying • Who are the lobbyists? • Supplying Information

  7. How Do Groups Influence the Bureaucracy? • Supplying Information • Influence executive appointments

  8. How do Groups Influence the Courts? • Sponsor litigation • Amicus Curiae briefs • Influence Judicial Selection

  9. Groups Can Also Influence Election Outcomes • Political Action Committee (PAC) • An organization that raises and distributes campaign funds for elective office • Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) • The number of PACs has increased dramatically since the 1970s • Spending Loopholes • Soft Money (now restricted under McCain/Feingold) • Independent Expenditures • Contribution Strategies

  10. Determinants of Group Effectiveness • Opposition • Nature of goal (positive or negative) • $$$ • Membership • Potential for coalitions

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