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Role of Interest Groups

Role of Interest Groups. Interest groups want to PASS POLICY BUT don't run their own candidates for office. Interest groups can “access,” or influence many points and levels of government. More than 2/3 of all Americans belong to at least one group or association.

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Role of Interest Groups

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  1. Role of Interest Groups Interest groups want to PASS POLICY BUT don't run their own candidates for office Interest groups can “access,” or influence many points and levels of government 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?

  2. Fundamental Goals of Interest Groups ·Influence public policy. ·Influence Congress/government. ·Change laws.

  3. Benefits of Interest Groups Why 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

  4. Social Movement Interest groups are often spawned by mass social movements. Social movements may generate interest groups with specific goals Interest groups have become popular due to their quick response to issues and social movements Ex) Civil Rights, environmental, animal rights, women's rights, Christian Rights, gay rights, etc.

  5. Types of Powerful Interest Groups

  6. Logos for Logo Quiz

  7. Iron Triangles The connection between an interest group, legislation, and a federal agency

  8. 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 Mailing 3. Direct Contact w/ Gov't 4. Litigation: 1) Initiating lawsuits or 2) amicus curiae briefs Amicus 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

  9. Strategies: Rating Game Basically 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.

  10. 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 Congress Know sometimes much more than Congressmen and serve to educate them on issues Convince Senators and Reps that if they support legislation that benefits their interest groups then the officials will have the support of the lobbyists constituency

  11. Lobbying Techniques Meetings 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.

  12. 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

  13. 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.

  14. Money and Politics Soft Money: Unlimited money raised for party building purposes Largely illegal except for limited contributions Party 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

  15. Soft Money vs. Hard Money 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.

  16. Top 10 PACs 2008

  17. Opensecrets.org WebQuest 1. Explore the website 2. Click on Influence/Lobbying and click the PACs Link 3. 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 made 10. Which party did the most money go to?

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