CNC1 - Chapter 13

How does socioeconomic status affect interest group membership?

Americans with low socioeconomic status do not typically join interest groups, and thus they are not as well represented by interest groups and lobbyists in the Washington community.

Interest Group

An interest group is an organization of people with similar policy goals who enter the political process to try to achieve those aims. Interest groups pursue their goals in many arenas. Interest groups differ from political parties in that they do not run their own slate of candidates. Furthermore, interest groups are often policy specialists, whereas parties are policy generalists.

How do interest groups hold policy makers accountable for their activities (watchdogs)?

Finally, interest groups act as watchdogs by monitoring the activities of government and the implementation of public policy. These groups closely track government proposals and programs that are important to their members. They keep members informed about government actions and communicate member preferences about those actions to decision-makers. In doing so, interest groups play an active role in holding government accountable.

Describe the three types of benefits derived from joining interest groups.

First, they can recruit members by offering solidary or purposive benefits in return for participation. Thirdly, they can offer members selective or material benefits for participation.

What are the types of interest groups?

Groups that fight to protect private interests include business, labor, professional, and trade associations. These groups seek to secure economic or monetary benefits for their members—benefits not generally available to non-members. Groups that fight to protect public interests seek to secure benefits that are available to a wider range of citizens. Benefits are not based on membership. Public interest groups are also known as citizen groups, and the concerns they address generally have little to do with members' occupational interests. Examples of public interest groups include environmental groups, consumer advocacy groups, and civil rights groups.

How is the Judicial Branch impacted by the lobbying/filing of Amicus Curiae Briefs of interest groups?

Interest groups also have ways of lobbying the judicial branch. In filing amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs, they provide the Supreme Court with important background information and thorough legal justification for their argument in a case. They also provide direct and indirect support to litigants bringing suit in court. Many special interests have legal defense funds established to provide legal representation in cases involving citizens, businesses, or organizations in need of financial assistance.

What are the functions of interest groups?

Interest groups provide an important mechanism by which the peoples' concerns are conveyed to the government. They also facilitate organized political participation by the people in electoral politics and policymaking. The American system of government, in particular, provides multiple points of access for interest groups to pressure policymakers. With local, state, and national political bodies dedicated to representing the interests of the people, interest groups find many avenues for influence. Unlike the two major political parties, interest groups in the U.S. are relatively small and typically organized around a discrete set of issues.

Public Interest Group

Public interest groups include Environmental (Sierra Club), Consumer Advocacy (Public Citizen), Civil Rights (NAACP). Public interest groups are also known as citizen groups, and the concerns they address generally have little to do with members' occupational interests. Public interest groups have formed since the 1960s to fight government regulation of individual behavior. Even though public interest groups outnumber private interest groups, the vast majority of lobbyists on Capitol Hill are hired by private interests. Today, only about 10 percent of federal lobbyists represent public interest groups.

What are specific examples of private and public interest groups?

Public interest groups include Environmental (Sierra Club), Consumer Advocacy (Public Citizen), Civil Rights (NAACP). Public interest groups are also known as citizen groups, and the concerns they address generally have little to do with members' occupational interests. Public interest groups have formed since the 1960s to fight government regulation of individual behavior. Even though public interest groups outnumber private interest groups, the vast majority of lobbyists on Capitol Hill are hired by private interests. Today, only about 10 percent of federal lobbyists represent public interest groups. private interest groups have organized in response to policy proposals that have threatened them financially. Even though public interest groups outnumber private interest groups, the vast majority of lobbyists on Capitol Hill are hired by private interests. Today, only about 10 percent of federal lobbyists represent public interest groups. Some of these groups include U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, American Bar Association, American Medical Association, American Farm Bureau Federation

PAC's

Stands for political action committees. organizations established by individuals or private groups with the aim of raising money to contribute to candidates for elective office. PACs are regulated by the Federal Election Commission.

Describe three advantages and three disadvantages of interest group politics.

The advantages are Interest groups pressure government for change. Interest groups provide valuable resources and expertise on complex policy issues for political decision-makers and the general public. Interest groups represent the policy preferences of minority segments of society to decision-makers and, in this way, link citizens to their government and make politics more democratic. Interest groups foster communities of like-minded individuals and provide opportunities for networking, political engagement, and participation. Interest groups provide the organizational framework necessary for mobilization of shared interest and collective action. The disadvantages are Interest groups encourage conflict. Interest groups can slow down the policymaking process and sometimes obstruct policy action altogether. Interest groups overemphasize minority interests to the neglect of majority preferences. Interest groups advantage those with resources who can pay the necessary costs associated with lobbying and campaign activity. Interest groups can foster a less transparent and accountable mode of politics, exacerbating public perceptions of closed-door policymaking, preferential treatment, and political bias in government.

What is the primary function of lobbying? Give some specific examples.

The primary function of lobbyists is provide current and meaningful information to government officials. In doing so, they serve to educate lawmakers and staff on their issues. Lobbyists also distill this information into talking points for lawmakers in order to influence the way in which issues are presented and discussed within Congress and before the public at large; similarly, they offer legislative language to steer the shape that policy takes in committee rooms and on the floor of the House and Senate. Finally, in order to have an impact on the rules and regulations developed to assist in policy implementation, lobbyists try to forge relationships with executive agencies and bureaucratic staff.

Which type is the largest?

The private interest groups

What are some informal ways that interest groups influence policy development?

They exercise more indirect forms of influence over policy through their efforts in campaigns and elections. During election seasons, we see interest groups sponsoring grassroots efforts at voter registration, education, and mobilization. Many groups keep track of the voting records of individual members of Congress on select issues. They then highlight these scores in materials dedicated to voter education, which permit groups to identify friends and enemies in Congress. Using this information, the organizations can target candidates to support as well as candidates to oppose in the upcoming election cycle.

What is the difference between interest groups and political parties?

Unlike the two major political parties, interest groups in the U.S. are relatively small and typically organized around a discrete set of issues. While parties structure the institutions of government, such as the committee system in Congress, interest groups petition government as outsiders. While parties structure the electoral system through candidate recruitment, control over the nomination process, and influence over the rules of the electoral game, interest groups work at the grassroots level to educate voters, raise money, and increase awareness.

Collective action problem

a situation faced by groups attempting to coordinate the activities and efforts of membership. The group's goals are best achieved if everyone participates, but the interests of each individual member are best served by free-riding, or relying on the efforts of the group without contributing to its work.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

a type of brief filed by a "friend of the court" or someone who is not directly involved in the case at hand. Interest groups often file this type of brief to provide information to the Court to assist in its decision-making process.

Grassroots Lobbying

grassroots lobbying is the process of getting members of the interest group actively involved in the political process. Group members participate in advocacy in a variety of ways, from sending letters to government officials to participating in public protests.

527 organizations (SUPERPacs)

groups that are created primarily to support or oppose candidates for elective office, although they are not allowed to coordinate their activities with a specific candidate or political party. Also called "issue advocacy groups," 527s are tax-exempt and regulated by the U.S. tax code (rather than the Federal Election Commission) under Title 26, Section 527.

Watchdogs

groups that are organized to monitor government activity and educate the public on various aspects of the political process, including candidate compliance with campaign finance laws, policy proposals and legislative voting behavior, and bureaucratic implementation of public policy.

Electioneering

political activity that aims to impact the outcome of an election.

Lobbying

political activity that aims to influence government policymaking. Those who engage in lobbying are known as lobbyists.

Private Interest Group

private interest groups have organized in response to policy proposals that have threatened them financially. Even though public interest groups outnumber private interest groups, the vast majority of lobbyists on Capitol Hill are hired by private interests. Today, only about 10 percent of federal lobbyists represent public interest groups. Some of these groups include U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, American Bar Association, American Medical Association, American Farm Bureau Federation

Solidary benefits

social advantages (such as networking, friendship, and community) that come from working with others toward a common goal.

Purposive benefits

the gratification that comes from working toward a worthy cause or desired policy goal.

free riders

those who attempt to benefit from a collective effort without working toward