INTEREST GROUPS A Survey of the Linkage Mechanism

1. INTEREST GROUPSA Survey of the Linkage Mechanism

2. Questions to Consider • What do you think is an interest group? • What purpose does an interest group? • How might they differ from a political party?

3. Interest Groups: An Overview • An interest group (also called an advocacy group, lobbying group, or special interest) is a group loosely or tightly organized doing advocacy determined to encourage/prevent changes in public policy without trying to be elected • – Private organization that tries to persuade public officials. One of the most effective means to get government to respond to Americans’ needs and wants.

4. Different Types of Groups • Grassroots groups • Special interest • Political Action Committee (PAC) • 527 • Economic group • Think-tank

5. Role of the Interest Groups • 1. To protect the interests of different issues. Prayer in Schools, Gun Control, etc.. • 2. More people in an interest group more power they have on government policy – (Public Policy)

6. Political Parties and Interest Groups • Interest groups unite usually for a political purpose • Two types of political parties • parties nominate candidates for public office, interest groups do not • political parties are chiefly interested in winning elections and controlling government. Interest Groups are concerned with influencing the policies of government.

7. Differences • **Political Parties are interested in the who of government. • **Interest Groups are interested in the what of government.

8. Valuable Functions of Interest Groups (5 elements) • Public Affairs – The affairs that concern the American People at large • Represent their members on the basis of shared attitudes rather than on the basis of geography. • To provide useful information specialized and detailed given to the government • Vehicles for political participation – like-minded citizens can pool their resources. • Interest groups add another element to the idea of checks and balances featured in the political process.

9. 4 elements of criticism Interests Groups take • 1. Better organized and financed groups have an advantage in the struggle of issues. • 2. Sometimes hard to tell what a group really represents. They put on “fronts”. • 3. Many groups do not represent the views of all of the people for whom they claim to speak for. • 4. The use of “shady” tactics to push their agenda (bribery, heavy-handed persuasion)

10. Grass Roots • They are efforts that are started from “folks back home” and often on short notice. • These efforts usually catch the public’s ear and have big effects on political campaigns.

11. Grassroots • Refers to the way the group was formed • Concerned citizens uniting for a cause • Driven by the people of a community • with the same ideology • Operates in local groups • Relies on direct pressure on representatives as well as protests and other informal means • Loosely organized • Example: ACORN

12. ACORN • Was first formed in the 1970s • First used to help people receive clothing and welfare benefits in Little Rock, Arkansas • Began locally then spread nationally and to South America • Now it helps underprivileged people with relief, living wage, education, housing, and voting rights • Seeks to encourage legislative efforts at aiding the poor

13. Influencing Parties and Elections • Single Party Interests – These groups are PACs that focus their attention on one issue such as gun control, abortion or health care. • Lobbying – activities by pressure groups the focus on legislators and the legislative process. • Lobbyists bring pressure to all elements of the political process.

14. Special Interest Groups • Promoting a specific issue • Public interest groups • Multi-issue v. single-issue • Well organized • Typically employs professionals, such as lawyers or scientists • Usually non-profit organization • Suffers from free-riders • Example: National Rifle Association

15. National Rifle Association (NRA) • Advocates marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection of hunting and personal protection firearm rights • Non-profitorganization

16. Political Action Committee (PAC) • A private group organized to elect/defeat candidates or bills • Tries to regulate federal or state law • Often the political arm of another interest group, business, etc. • Can collect money from many individuals and bundle the donations • Primary means of involvement is contributing financially to different political causes • TilmanAct of 1907: prohibits businesses from directly giving money to elections • Example: League of Conservation Voters

17. League of Conservation Voters • Begun in 1969 • Mission is to Advocate sound environmental policy • Elect pro-environment candidates across the U.S. • Publishes a list of candidates they support • (Environmental Champions) and oppose (Dirty Dozen) • http://www.lcv.org/

18. Economic Interests • Most groups are formed on this bases with the most effective being businesses, labor, agriculture and certain professions. • Business Groups – Oldest group in America is the “Brewers’ Association” in 1862 and running strong today • These interest groups are the voice for small and large businesses in America politics. • Labor groups – Labor union organizations • People working the same type of job or industry. • Labor Unions press government policies for benefits to their members (Example AFL-CIO), AEA,AFT teacher organizations. • Agricultural, Professional, Religious Interest Groups

19. Economic Groups • Advocates for businesses • Blue collar v. white collar • Limited funding to parties and candidates • Try to influence state and federal law • Most use lobbyists • try to persuade legislators to vote for bills in their favor • Example: AFL-CIO

20. AFL-CIO Lobbyist • American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations • A conglomerate of unions • Tries to persuade state and federal law in its favor • Seeks to achieve legislation in favor of its members • Contributions are limited to political candidates and parties

21. Think Tank • “Knowledge factories” • Generate ideas and research to support issues and ideology • Called upon to testify concerning policy • Reflects notion that ideas are just as important as money • Example: Heritage Foundation

22. Heritage Foundation • Formed in 1973 • Part of movement to reinvigorate conservatism • Systematically operate to have ideas heard by the media • Publishes books and articles

23. 527 Group • Based on loophole in campaign finance reform • Not responsible to the FEC • Mobilize voters through issue advocacy advertisements • Does not directly advocate the election or defeat of a candidate • Example see next slide

24. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth • Emerged shortly before 2004 Democratic Convention • Fellow Vietnam veterans contested Kerry’s war record • Published criticisms in a book and several famous TV ads • Some truth to their assertions, but not 100%

25. Summary of Strategies • Gifts • Campaign funding • Advertising • Advocacy • Protest • Endorsing • Lobbying