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Elitists, Hyperluralists and Iron Triangles…Oh my!. Its an Elite World. Dismiss the view of pluralism Numerous groups meaningless when few hold great power Largest power is held by corporations Powerful few hold positions in multiple organizations Interlocking directorates
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Its an Elite World • Dismiss the view of pluralism • Numerous groups meaningless when few hold great power • Largest power is held by corporations • Powerful few hold positions in multiple organizations • Interlocking directorates • Small groups win minor victories, but large corporations win decisive ones. • Essentially, regardless of the number of groups, the elite of them will control policy
Hyperpluralist Criticisms • State that the interest group system is out of control • As a result: • Interest groups view their concerns as legitimate and the gov’t job is to fulfill their requests • This creates a high-cost relationships • Environmentalists want clean air, new regulations • Businesses complain about regulation, tax breaks created for the implementation of regulations
Criticisms cont. • Groups have become too powerful in the political process as government tries to appease every conceivable interest. • Interest group liberalism is aggravated by numerous iron triangles • Try to please every group results in contradictory and confusing policy power.
Iron Triangles • Interest groups interested in something, talk to a governmental agency in charge of that thing, who talk with congressman committees in charge of handling that policy. • Turn to page 459 in your books
Who’s more powerful?? • Which is more effective at creating change, larger groups or smaller groups? • Smaller! • Potential Group: people who could possibly be interest group members • Actual Group: people with the potential to join who have joined. • Consumer groups actual group number is tiny compared to their potential group
Cause I’m free, free-riding! • Free-riding: When individuals that don’t belong to a group, gain the benefits of that group. • Example: Not helping with dinner but eating that dinner. • For small groups, the harder an individual works, the greater the reward • If you’re in a larger group however, less rewards for an individual. • What does this do to group membership