6-1: Interest Groups and American Government

Why Interest Groups Form: Becoming an Interest Group

*A group becomes an interest group when it seeks to affect the policies or practices of the government.* A group founded with little or no desire to influence the government can become an interest group, however, *if its members decide that the government's policies are important to them.* *lobbying the government may initially be only one of several activities pursued by a group and then grow to become the group's primary purpose.* Ex. NRA - National Rifle Association -Many joined solely to participate in firearms training programs or to win marksman certifications -now heavily politicized

Why Interest Groups Form: Defending the Group's Interests

*Interest groups also may come into existence in response to a perceived threat to a group's interests.* Ex. the National Right to Life Committee formed in response to Roe v. Wade, the United States Supreme Court's decision that legalized abortion. *Interest groups can also form in reaction to the creation of other interest groups, thus pitting two groups against each other.* Political scientist *David B. Truman* coined the term *disturbance theory* for his description of this kind of defensive formation of interest groups

Why Interest Groups Form: More Government, more Interest Groups

*Interest groups may form and existing groups may become more politically active when the government expands its scope of activities.* More government, in other words, means more interest groups. Ex. AARP is a major lobbying force that seeks to preserve or enhance Social Security and Medicare benefits for citizens sixty-five years of age and older. Before the creation of Social Security in the 1930s, however, the federal government did not provide income support to the elderly, and there would have been little reason for an organization such as AARP to exist.

How Interest Groups Function in American Politics: Majoritarianism and Elite Theory

*Majoritarianism is the belief that public policy should be set in accordance with the opinions of a majority of the people.* *Majoritarianism is highly popular, but political scientists find it to be a startlingly poor description of how politics actually works.* *Elite theory* contends that, as a practical matter, the *government is controlled by one or more elite groups, typically drawn from the wealthiest members of society.* *One version of elite theory posits that multiple elites compete for power. It is worth noting that many interest groups are largely funded—or even controlled—by wealthy individuals, so pluralism (described previously) and elite theory may overlap.*

Why Interest Groups Form: The Free Rider Problem

*The difficulty that exists when individuals can enjoy the outcome of an interest group's efforts without having to contribute, such as by becoming members of the group.* With public goods, however, your use of a good does not diminish its use by someone else. National defense is a good example. If this country is protected through its national defense system, your protection from enemy invasion does not reduce any other person's protection. People cannot be excluded from enjoying a public good, such as national defense, just because they did not pay for it. As a result, public goods are often provided by the government, which can force people to pay for the public good through taxation. The existence of persons who benefit but do not contribute is called the free rider problem.

Interest Group

*organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers through direct and indirect methods* Pursue goals on every and in every branch of government

How Interest Groups Function in American Politics: Pluralist Theory

*theory that views politics as a contest among various interest groups—at all levels of government—to gain benefits for their members.* The pluralist theory of American democracy *focuses on the participation of groups in a decentralized government structure that offers many points of access to policymakers.* According to the pluralist theory, *politics is a contest among various interest groups* These groups vie with one another—at all levels of government—to gain benefits for their members. Pluralists maintain that *the influence of interest groups on government is not undemocratic because individual interests are indirectly represented in the policymaking process through these groups.* Although not every American belongs to an interest group, inevitably some group will represent at least some of the interests of each individual. Thus, each interest is satisfied to some extent through the compromises made in settling conflicts among competing interest groups. Pluralists also contend that *because of the extensive number of interest groups vying for political benefits, no one group can dominate the political process.* Additionally, because most people have more than one interest, conflicts among groups *do not divide the nation into hostile camps.*

How do Interest Groups Differ From Political Parties

-*Interest groups are often policy specialists, whereas political parties are policy generalists.* Political parties are broad-based organizations that must attract the support of many opposing groups and consider a large number of issues. Interest groups, in contrast, may *have only a handful of key policies to push.* -*Interest groups are usually more tightly organized than political parties.* They are often *financed through contributions or dues-paying memberships.* Organizers of interest groups communicate with members and potential members through conferences, mailings, newsletters, and electronic formats such as e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter. -A political party's main sphere of influence is the electoral system. Parties run candidates for political office. *Interest groups may try to influence the outcome of elections, but unlike parties, they do not compete for public office.* Although a candidate for office may be sympathetic to—or even be a member of—a certain group, he or she does not run for election as a candidate of that group.

How Interest Groups Function in American Politics

-Interest groups help bridge the gap between citizens and government and enable citizens to explain their views on policies to public officials. -Interest groups help raise public awareness and inspire action on various issues. -Interest groups often provide public officials with specialized and detailed information that might be difficult to obtain otherwise. This information may be useful in making policy choices. -Interest groups serve as another check on public officials to make sure that they are carrying out their duties responsibly.

How Interest Groups Function in American Politics: Access to Government

In a sense, the American system of government invites the participation of interest groups by offering many points of access for groups wishing to influence policy. Consider the possibilities at just the federal level. *An interest group can lobby members of Congress to act in the interests of the group.* If the Senate passes a bill opposed by the group, the group's lobbying efforts can shift to the House of Representatives. If the House passes the bill, the group can try to influence the new law's application by lobbying the executive agency that is responsible for implementing the law. The group might even challenge the law in court, directly (by filing a lawsuit) or indirectly (by filing a brief as an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court"). *Interest groups can seek a variety of different benefits when lobbying the government.* A frequent goal is *favorable treatment under federal or state regulations.* Groups may also seek outright *subsidies that benefit their members.* An increasingly popular objective is special treatment in the tax code. Tax breaks for a special interest can be easier to obtain than subsidies because the breaks don't look like government spending.

Why Interest Groups Form: Addressing the Problem

In some instances, the free rider problem can be overcome. *social pressure may persuade some people to join or donate to a group for fear of being ostracized. This motivation is more likely to be effective for small, localized groups than for large groups. The government can also step in to ensure that the burden of lobbying for the public good is shared by all. When the government classifies interest groups as nonprofit organizations, it confers on them tax-exempt status. The groups' operating costs are reduced because they do not have to pay taxes, and the impact of the government's lost revenue is absorbed by all taxpayers.*

Why Interest Groups Form: Interest Groups and Public Goods

Lobbying, collective bargaining by labor unions, and other forms of representation can also be public goods. If an interest group is successful in lobbying for laws that will improve air quality, for example, everyone who breathes that air will benefit, whether they paid for the lobbying effort or not.

Why Interest Groups Form: The Importance of Leaders

Political scientist *Robert H. Salisbury* provided another analysis of the organization of interest groups that he dubbed *entrepreneurial theory.* *This line of thought focuses on the importance of the leaders who establish the organization.* *The desire of such individuals to guarantee a viable organization is important to the group's survival.*

Why Interest Groups Form: Incentives to Join a Group

The French political observer and traveler *Alexis de Tocqueville* wrote in 1835 that *Americans have a tendency to form "associations" and have perfected "the art of pursuing in common the object of their common desires....* In no other country of the world, has the *principle of association* been more successfully used or applied to a greater multitude of objectives than in America." Reasons why people join interest groups: -If a group stands for something that you believe is very important, you can gain considerable satisfaction in taking action from within that group. Such satisfaction is referred to as a *purposive incentive* (satisfaction resulting from working for a cause in which one believes.) -Some people enjoy the camaraderie and sense of belonging that come from associating with other people who share their interests and goals. That enjoyment can be called a *solidary incentive* (pleasure in associating with like-minded individuals.) -Some groups offer their members material incentives for joining, such as discounts on products, subscriptions, or group insurance programs. Each of these could be characterized as a *material incentive* (practical benefits such as discounts, subscriptions, or group insurance.)

The Constitutional Right to Petition the Government

The right to form interest groups and to lobby the government is protected by the Bill of Rights. *The First Amendment guarantees the right of the people "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."* The right to petition the government *allows citizens and groups of citizens to lobby members of Congress and other government officials, to sue the government, and to submit petitions to the government.* Ex. e-mailing her or his congressional representative for help with a problem