gov CH 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying

example of free riders

people who show up to potluck dinners without contributing a dish and then proceed to benefit by consuming everyone else's dishes.

what do interest groups want from policy makers?

policy that is beneficial for their groups

Bundling

the interest-group practice of combining campaign contributions from several sources into one larger contribution from the group, so as to increase the group's impact on the candidate

The goals of interest groups include all the following except

Maintaining a hetergenous membership

what resources does interest groups use to moblize in politics

1. they have members 2. ability to raise money 3. possess info about their membership and problems that concern their membership 4. creditability

Whose Interests Do Groups Represent?

1. upper class = well represented 2. difficult for i.g to emerge that protect board interests of large # of ppl

A former member of the governing body or a former executive head of a regulatory agency cannot lobby the agency for ___________ years after leaving offcie

2 yrs

The most important thing interst groups need to be effective is

Access to to politicians

interest group

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

Individuals have the best chance to influence public policy when they

Are not opposed by organized interest groups

When interst groups combine small contributions from many sources to form one large contribution, it is called

Bundling

In Texas, the most powerful interest groups represent which interest?

Business

Trial lawyers are which type of interest group

Professional group

Interest groups provide public officials with all the following except

Committee assignments

Dark money refers to

Donated money tat does not have to be reported by a campaign

Lobbyists are

Important sources of information fo legislatures

Define interest groups

Interest groups in Texas are organizations of interested citizens who band together to influence public policy.

free rider problem

The problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the group's activities without officially joining. The bigger the group, the more serious the problem.

advantages of i.g

time, money, expertise, and continuity.

define pluralistic society

where individuals organize into groups to serve common interests and compete with one another for power and influence

Capture theory refer to the idea that

Though long-term relationships, government interests come to serve the objectives of an interest group

One of the most important grassroots tactics of interest groups is

To get out the vote

The "8F Crowd"

Was a group of extremely wealthy Texans who met in suite 8F of the Lamar Hotel in Housto and controlled Texas politics for 40 years

what are the strategies that interest groups use to promote their concerns?

(1) explicit political strategies such as grassroots organizing, get- out-the-vote and electioneering campaigns, and campaign financing; (2) legislative strategies such as lobbying and testifying before legislative committees; (3) public awareness strategies such as drafting policy reports, writing editorials, and conducting educational campaigns in various public forums; (4) the judicial strategy of supporting litigation that challenges existing policies in court.

Interest groups have a hard time defeating incumbent legislatures unless

1. the legislator is involved in a scandal, 2. the legislator has been redistricted, 3. the legislators positions have generated overwhelming opposition in the district

Explain how ordinary individuals can influence Texas government

1. Citizens can lobby their legislators by calling, writing, or visiting their offices. 2. Industries and well-financed interests can afford professional lobbyists to try to influence legislation, but legislators will listen to individual citizens, especially if they join together in large numbers.

interest groups often hire former legislatures as lobbyists to

1. Gain greater access to current legislators, 2. Benefit from the policy expertise of former legislators, 3. benefit from the personal "insider" knowledge of the former legislator.

describe the major ways interest groups try to influence Texas government

1. Lobbyists are hired to cultivate relationships with legislators and convince them of their clients' interests. 2. goal of lobbyists is to gain access to policy makers to persuade them to support the positions of the interest group.

Describe the role of PACs in Texas elections

1. Political action committees (PACs) are private groups that raise and distribute funds for election campaigns. 2. Interest groups play a major role in getting out the vote. 3. Interest- group money can play a major role in defeating as well as electing candidates.

what are the different forms of interest groups

1. business and labor 2. professions (law) 3. public interest (enviroment) 4. education 5. gov affairs

goals of interest group

1. electing people to office in order to support the groups' goals. 2. influencing those who control government. 3. educating the public and members about issues of importance to the group. 4. providing campaign funds for favored candidates.

how do interest groups gain access to policy makers?

1. entertaining them (gifts, trips, activities) 2. having personal ties w/ them, creating bond 3. building support for an issue among their constituents 4. employing former officials as lobbyists (connections in gov)

how do policy makers benefit fr i.g ?

1. gain information that can provide expertise in areas that are their special concern 2. provide campaign funds 3. supply votes 4. public issues through press 5. engage in research and public education programs

Interest groups have an advantage over individuals in influencing policy because interest groups usually have

1. more time to influence officials. 2. greater expertise than individuals. 3. more money to influence elections. 4. more staff.

how do interest groups overcome free rider prob

1. offer ppl incentives to join a group 2. solidary benefits 3. sense of belonging

Types of Lobbyists

1. professional groups 2. Economic Groups, 3. Business/Labor, 4. Public Interest, 5. Equality/Justice, 6. Government interest groups

PACs are used to

1. stir the public's interest in politics. 2. raise money from individuals, which is then bundled and given to candidates. 3. create media campaigns to influence the course of government. 4. create grassroots campaigns.

Interest groups provide what for public policy

1. support for existing policies in many areas 2. legislators in their electoral campaigns 3. help to articulate ideas from which policies can be crafted

The 8F Crowd was

an elite and wealthy interest group that met in Houston

lobbyist

an individual employed by an interest group who tries to influence governmental decisions on behalf of that group

how to intrest groups "entertain" policy makers?

gifts, expesive dinner, golf, other lavish activities