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Interest Groups Organization, Structure & Function. Chapter 11: A Quick & Brief Overview of the Information!. Pop Quiz 11. What is the name of the street in DC that is home to the headquarters of over 7000 groups?
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Interest Groups Organization, Structure & Function Chapter 11: A Quick & Brief Overview of the Information!
Pop Quiz 11 • What is the name of the street in DC that is home to the headquarters of over 7000 groups? • Name one reason why lobbies are so common in the United States. (Book states 3!) • Name one interest group that formed before 1960 • Name one interest group formed after 1960. • Define solidary incentive. • Name the man responsible for the founding of Public Citizen and hundreds of other consumer groups.
Why are lobbies so common in US? • More cleavages in society: • Immigration • No national religion • Federalism and Separation of Powers • Three levels of government to lobby • Three branches to lobby • Weak political parties • Groups work with individual parts of government
Kinds of Interest Groups • If interest groups seek to influence public policy, how do institutional and membership interest groups differ? • Institutional Interest Groups: Defined? Ex.? • Business firms, Trade or governmental association, foundations, universities • Membership Interest Groups: Defined? Ex.? • Why types do Am. Join more often, less often than Eur. Countries? Why join civil orgs.?
Incentives • Solidary incentives • What are they? • What facilitates them? • Examples? • Material incentives • What are they? • Examples?
Incentives • Purposive incentives • What are they? • What 3 factors drive membership? • Why is this type of incentive important to ideological interest groups? • How do public interest groups benefit non-members? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsjMVuOib4U&list=PL5621337FC3F5B5CB&index=3&feature=plpp_video • Why is publicity important to purposive groups?
Staff of interest groups • Many are lawyers…there are more lawyers in DC than in LA. • Purposive goals drive staff, even if solidary and material incentives drive members. • Are staff of interest groups political elites? • Examples to prove?
Social Movements • What are they & why do they occur? • Environmental movement • In what 3 eras did they occur? Why? • Which is better: small & vociferous or large & less activist? Why?
Social Movements • Feminist Movement • Give an example of a solidary group & explain how & why they function. • What is the result often of purposive groups? Why? • Name an example of a material group & what’s gained.
Social Movements • Union Movement • What has caused the union movement to decline? • How has this affected the public’s view of unions? • What type of unions are attracting new members? Why?
Funds for Interest Groups • Besides members’ dues, how do interest groups raise funds? • Which types of groups have the most trouble raising funds? Why? • What type of interest groups get most of their funds from foundation grants? • How do federal grants fund lobbying groups? What President “de-funded the left?”
Funds for Interest Groups • How has direct mail been successfully used for interest groups? Examples? • What is the major drawback of direct mail? • What techniques are used to appeal to recipients? How successful would these be in recruiting you?
What do Interest Groups do? 1. Providing Information • Why is supplying credible info seen as the most important tactic by interest groups? • Why must the info provided be credible? • Discuss client politics. (CAB, FCC, FEA) • How do “political cues” affect legislators’ decisions? (Lib. listens to lib. Groups, etc.) • What is the purpose of ratings?
What do Interest Groups do? 2. Generating Public Support • Difference between insider & outsider strategy? • What has led to grassroots lobbyingor mass mobilization? (TV, toll-free #s, Internet, etc) • How do politicians avoid controversy & pressure by interest groups and lobbyists? (listen to groups with whom they agree) • Who are lobbyists’ key targets? What positive & negative tactics do they employ? (Fence-sitters) • How can grassroots support pressure lawmakers?
What do Interest Groups do? 3. Contributing to Campaigns • How did FECA affect campaign donations? • Why is T. Kennedy wrong by saying, “The finest Congress money can buy?” • Which type of PACs is the fastest growing? (id) Why do they contribute so little compared to other type of PACs? (direct mail) • Who gets PAC money? Who gives it? (283-84) • What does PAC money really buy? (Access)
What do Interest Groups do? 4. Accessing the “Revolving Door” • What is the fear of the revolving door? • How has the Ethics in Gov’t Act reduced the conflicts of interest created by the revolving door? 5. Creating Trouble • What do you feel is the most effective form of making trouble? Least effective? Exs.
What do Interest Groups do? • 6. Litigation • Why do groups file lawsuits? • Popular support not on side • Gain injunction • Bring attention • Examples?
Regulating Interest Groups • In groups, explain your act and how it impacted special interest groups & lobbying with a graphic organizer: • The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946) • The Federal Elections & Campaign Act (1974) • The Lobbyist Disclosure Act (1995) • The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002)
