Interest Groups

501(c)(4)

"social welfare organization". Law requires these groups to be operated exclusively for promotion of social welfare. IRS allows them to participate in some political activities as long as politics isnt their primary purpose. Ex. NRA and Sierra Club. The groups must spend less than half of their resources on political activities. Not required to disclose donors list.

Types of Interest Groups

Business, Labor, Agricultural, Public, Single Issue, Ideological, and Professional

Interest Groups Shaping Policies (Techniques and Elections)

Direct Techniques, Lobbying, Indirect Techniques. Interest Groups often become directly involved in election process. They provide campaign support for legislators who favor their policies and urge members to vote for candidates who support the views of the group. Can threaten candidates with the withdrawal of votes.

Business Interest Groups

Hundreds of trade organizations are less visible, but are also important in seeking policies that assist their members. Trade organizations usually support policies that benefit specific industries. Support the republican party because they are more likely to promote a "hands-off" government policy toward business. Ex. US Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers.

Indirect Techniques

Interest groups also try to influence public policy through third parties or the general public. Can be effective because public officials are often more impressed by contacts from voters than from lobbyists. Ex. Shaping public opinion, issuing ads, mobilizing constituents (people represented by elected officials), going to court, demonstrating.

Professional Interest Groups

Most professions require advanced education or specialized training have organizations to protect and promote their interests. Mainly concerned with the standards of their professions but they also work to influence government policy. Some also function as labor unions. Ex. American Medical Association, American Bar Association, National Education Association, and American Federation of Teachers.

Negatives of Interest Groups

Push for their groups goals, which are not always beneficial to all Americans. Some group have more influence than others (based on how much money they have, how organized they are) and that means that the playing field is not equal for all people. Sometimes their tactics are questionable. They sometimes bribe members of congress to pass certain laws, or they threaten to publish negative info. or not provide funds for members of congress who do not support the groups goals.

Positives of Interest Groups

Raises awareness about the causes and issues that the group is passionate about. Promote policies that the group is passionate about. Provide useful, specialized, and detailed information to government. Allow average citizens to participate in politics. Checks up on what politicians are doing and make the public aware of these actions.

Lobbying

attempts by organizations or individuals to influence legislation or the administrative decisions of government. It is one of the most widely used and effective ways to influence legislative activity. Can be directed at the legislative branch, administrative agencies, and even at courts.

Ideological Interest Groups

broader aims rooted in a strongly held philosphy. Often work to change cultural norms, values, and prevailing stereotypes. Conservative ideological interest groups inclue Christian Coalition and the Traditional Values Coalition. Liberal ideological Interest Groups inclue NOW and the National Organization for the Advancement of Colored People.

Single-Issue Interest Groups

focus on one issue. Mothers against Drunk Driving lobbies stiffer penalties for drunk driving convictions. The abortion debate has created various single-issue groups such as the Right to Life Organization and NARAL Pro-Choice America. Ex. NRA and American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Public Interest Groups

groups organized to protect consumer rights were very active in 1960s and 1970s. Deal with poor housing, discrimination against minorities and women, discrimination in the granting of credit, and business inaction on consumer complaints.

527s

groups that represents a variety of positions on a variety of issues but they all try to influence how you look at the candidate. Their activities may not instruct you to vote for or against a specific candidate, but they will shape your opinion of a candidate or party in the context of a specific issue. They wont tell you to elect or defeat a candidate but their views are clear. Spending is unlimited and they must disclose their list of contributors.

Interest Groups Function in American Government

help to bridge the gap between citizens and government, help raise public awareness and inspire action, often provide public officials with specialized and detailed information that might be difficult to obtain otherwise, serve as another check on public officials to make sure that they are carrying out their duties responsibly.

Lobbyist

individual who handles a particular interest group's lobbying efforts.

Agricultural Interest Groups

influence local and national policy on matters such as crop prices, land use, zoning, government subsides and international trade agreements. There are often competing interest between small/mid-size farmers and giant agribusinesses. Ex. American Farm Bureau Federation, National Grange, and the National Farmers Union

Direct Techniques

lobbying and providing election support are two important techniques used by interest groups to influence government policy.

Super PAC

may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to advocate for or against candidates. Must report their donors to Federal Election Commission on a monthly/quarterly basis. Cant donate money directly to candidates. Spend money on ads or things that support candidate.

Interest Group Financing

must have patrons. The groups usually collect fees or donations from members, but few can survive without large grants and donations

Labor Interest Groups

one of the most influential labor groups in our country's history. Largest and most powerful labor interest group is the AFL-CIO(American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations), a confederation of 56 national and international labor unions representing 11 million members. Unions fight for minimum wages, better benefits like insurance, and job security.

Interest Group

organization of people sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence government policymakers through direct and indirect methods.

Patrons

people or organization willing to finance the group

Interest Groups form responses to...

political change or economic change, a shift in population or technology, or a change in social values.

PAC

raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. Represent business, labor, or ideological interests. Money comes from voluntary contributions from union members rather than union treasuries. Can only contribute up to $5000 to campaign/election cycle. Must disclose identities of donors.

Start of Political Action Committees

since 1970s, federal laws governing campaign financing have allowed corporations, labor unions, and special interest groups to raise funs and make contributions through these PACs.

Environmental Interest Groups

starting to become one of the most powerful in Washington D.C. Have opposed strip-mining, nuclear power plants, logging, chemical waste dumps, and many other potential hazards.