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Interest Groups

Explore the influence and tactics of interest groups in shaping public policies, from economic to ideological groups. Learn about lobbying techniques and the role of PACs in campaign finance. Discover how these groups impact the political landscape.

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Interest Groups

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  1. Interest Groups Organization of people with similar policy goals that tries to influence the political process to try to achieve those goals

  2. Interest Groups vs. Political Parties • Do not run their own slate of candidates • Policy specialists vs. Policy generalists • Do not face constraint of appealing to masses

  3. Factions & Madison • Federalist #10 • Source of Factions = unequal distribution of wealth • We are a NATION of factions

  4. Types of Interest Groups • Economic • Labor • Ideological • Public Interest • Foreign Policy • Gov’t • Veteran, Nationality & Religious

  5. Economic • Business & Corporations • Trade Associations • Chamber of Commerce of the United States • National Association of Manufacturers • National Association of the Self-Employed

  6. Labor • Professional standards, Wages & Working Conditions • American Farm Bureau Federation • Knights of Labor • Open Shop vs. Closed Shop • “Free Riders” • Decline in Membership • Form coalitions to try to gain strength • Democrats & labor unions • Professional Association- some of strongest unions in the nation • American Bar Association • American Medical Association • American Psychological Association

  7. Ideological • Single Interest Group • Christian Coalition • ACLU

  8. Public Interest Group • Public Charity Groups • American Heart Association

  9. Foreign policy • Devoted to exerting pressure on legislature or executive to enact specific policies • American-Israel political Action Committee

  10. Government • National Governor’s Association • National Association of Counties

  11. Characteristics • Size , Concentration/Dispersion & Resources • Cohesiveness • Centralized disciplined group • Techniques • Publicity/Mass Media • Mass Mailing • Litigation • Electioneering • Labor supports Democrats • Business supports Republicans • Forming 3rd parties

  12. The Influence of Lobbyists • Activities aimed at influencing public officials, especially legislators, and the policies they enact. • Lobbying is most effective on people who already support groups interest • Revolving Door (moving from gov’t job to interest group) • Creates Iron Triangles or Issues Networks • Mutually supporting relationship among interest groups, congressional committees & gov’t agencies that share a common policy concern • Ex- Dept of Veteran Affairs, House/Senate committees on Veterans affairs & Veterans organizations have a tight mutually advantageous alliance.

  13. What do Lobbyists do? • Provide money for congressional election campaigns • Serve as a 3rd House of Congress • Provide Political information (who supports what) • Provide Amicus Curiae Briefs to Courts • Provide information about the impact of proposed laws • Probably what they focus most of their attention on

  14. Role of PACs • PAC- representing different interest groups • PAC- finances different candidates & may lobby • Give $ & other political aids to politicians & persuade them to act or vote “the right way” on issues • Can contribute 5k to a federal candidate in an election or 10k per election cycle • Campaign Finance Reform law 1973 made it legal for corporations & unions to create PACs & make donations

  15. Who can create PACs • Almost ANYONE! • Over ½ PACs are sponsored by corporations • 1/10th sponsored by Unions • Ideological PACs • 1/3 liberal & 2/3 conservative • Raise more money – but use more money on raising money

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