Understanding Interest Groups in American Politics

2. 10 Interest Groups

3. Video: The Big Picture 10 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch10_Interest_Groups_Seg1_v2.html

4. 10 Learning Objectives Describe the role of interest groups in American politics 10.1 Compare and contrast the theories of pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralism 10.2

5. 10 Learning Objectives Analyze the factors that make some interest groups more successful than others in the political arena 10.3 Assess the four basic strategies that interest groups use to try to shape policy 10.4

6. 10 Learning Objectives Identify the various types of interest groups and their policy concerns 10.5 Evaluate how well Madison’s ideas for controlling the influence of interest groups have worked in practice 10.6

7. Video: The Basics 10 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_InterestGroups_v2.html

8. Role of Interest Groups 10.1 • Interest groups pursue policy goals • Different from political parties • Do not run candidates • Policy specialists, not generalists • 25,000 interest groups • Technology aids lobbying

9. 10.1 10.1 How many interest groups are there in the United States? 5,000 25,000 100,000 50,000

10. 10.1 10.1 How many interest groups are there in the United States? 5,000 25,000 100,000 50,000

11. Video: In Context 10.1 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_InterestGroups_v2.html

12. Theories of Interest Group Politics 10.2 • Pluralism • Elitism • Hyperpluralism

13. Pluralism Group theory of politics Groups link people and government Groups compete No one group likely to become dominant Groups play by the rules of the game Groups weak in one resource can use another Concessions Some groups stronger than others All interests do not get equal hearing 10.2

14. Elitism Real power held by a few 78% of Americans share this view Interlocking directorates Multinational corporations Lobbying benefits the few at the expense of the many 10.2

15. Video: In the Real World 10.2 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_InterestGroups_v2.html

16. Hyperpluralism Interest group liberalism Groups out of control Government tries to appease all of them Budgets, programs, regulations expand Iron triangles Contradictory and confusing policy results 10.2

17. 10.2 10.2 Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively? Elitism Hyperpluralism Pluralism None of the above

18. 10.2 10.2 Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively? Elitism Hyperpluralism Pluralism None of the above

19. What Makes an Interest Group Successful? 10.3 • Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups • Intensity • Financial Resources

20. Smaller groups have advantage Potential group Actual group Collective good Free-rider problem Selective benefits 10.3 Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups

21. Intensity Psychological advantage Single-issue groups On the rise Dislike compromise Abortion 10.3

22. Financial Resources System is biased toward wealthy 2008 federal elections cost $5 billion Donations lead to access But $$$ does not always lead to lobbying success Other side contributes, too 10.3

23. 10.3 10.3 Why does money not always lead to lobbying success? Other side can also make contributions Campaign contributions are too restricted to make a significant difference Most groups cannot afford to buy politicians Most politicians refuse to accept interest group contributions

24. 10.3 10.3 Why does money not always lead to lobbying success? Other side can also make contributions Campaign contributions are too restricted to make a significant difference Most groups cannot afford to buy politicians Most politicians refuse to accept interest group contributions

25. How Groups Try to Shape Policy 10.4 • Lobbying • Electioneering • Litigation • Going Public

26. Lobbying Two types of lobbyists Full-time employee Temporary employee Often former legislators Why do Congressmen listen to lobbyists? Lobbyists provide specialized expertise Lobbyists help with political & campaign strategy Lobbyists provide ideas 10.4

27. 10.4 FIGURE 10.1: Industries’ big spenders on lobbying, 2009-2011

28. 10.4 NRA

29. Electioneering Aiding candidates financially Getting out the vote PACs $5,000 limit in primary and general election Mainly support incumbents Should PACs be eliminated? 10.4

30. Explore Interest Groups: Can Interest Groups Buy Public Policy? 10.4 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_edwards_mpslgia_16/pex/pex10.html

31. Litigation Suing for enforcement Environmental regulations Civil rights groups – 1950s Amicus curiae briefs Class action lawsuits 10.4

32. Going Public Public opinion influences policy makers Mobilize public opinion Public relations 10.4

33. 10.4 Interest group ad

34. 10.4 10.4 On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic? Lobbying Litigation Electioneering Going public

35. 10.4 10.4 On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic? Lobbying Litigation Electioneering Going public

36. Explore the Simulation: You Are a Lobbyist 10.4 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media_1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=16

37. Types of Interest Groups 10.5 • Economic interests • Environmental interests • Equality interests • Consumer and other public interest lobbies

38. Economic Interests Labor Unions Closed shop versus “right-to-work” 10.5

39. 10.5 Wisconsin collective bargaining fight

40. Economic Interests Business Dominate lobbying and PACs Business interests not monolithic Policy differences among industries 10.5

41. 10.5 FIGURE 10.2: How corporate PACs have shifted toward the majority party

42. Environmental Interests Sprang up since 1970 More than 10,000 groups with $2.9 billion revenue Profound policy impact Influential due to numbers, not money 10.5

43. 10.5 Save the polar bear

44. Equality Interests Fourteenth Amendment guarantees Minorities NAACP/Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Social welfare policies Women National Organization for Women (NOW) Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) 10.5

45. Consumer and Other Public Interest Lobbies Policies in the public interest Collective goods What is the public interest? 10.5

46. Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist 10.5 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_InterestGroups_v2.html

47. 10.5 10.5 Which interest groups are the best funded? Economic groups Environmental groups Consumer groups Women’s rights groups

48. 10.5 10.5 Which interest groups are the best funded? Economic groups Environmental groups Consumer groups Women’s rights groups

49. Understanding Interest Groups 10.6 • Interest Groups and Democracy • Interest Groups and the Scope of Government

50. Interest Groups and Democracy Does pluralism prevail? Growth in number of interest groups Less clout for any one group Interest group corruption? Business PACs Wealthy groups dominate Gridlock? 10.6