AP QUIZ

What are Interest groups?How do they differ from Political Parties?

-An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals. -Unlike political parties that try and get their candidates elected and into the government, SI may vote for a candidate, but only because of their own interest, not because of any political party -Special Interest groups are known as specialists and Political party members are known as Generalists

Three main theories on Special Interest groups & politics

-Pluralism -Elitism -Hyper pluralism

Why are small groups generally more effective than large groups?

-Small groups tend to be more tightly organized; small <100,000; medium<1,000,000; large >1,000,000 -less free-rider problem (Potential group v. actual group) - Larger the group the less likely potential members are to contribute -only way for large groups to be effective is offer attractive benefits for only those who are in organization (selective benefits) goods that a group can restrict to those who pay their yearly dues

How do intensity & financial resources affect interest group success? What are single issue groups & how effective have they been in American politics?

-a large group can be mobilized by an issue that they really feel intense about which will get the attention of politicians faster (large groups = lots of votes) -single issue groups has seen a dramatic rise in existence, these are groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics -financial resources: money talks and open doors & those who have it get heard and enter, but does not mean they always win

How do interest groups affect Democracy and the scope of government in the US?

-it allows for groups to gain access to policy makers which is the way democracy works, it allows for anyone to form a group and try and influence government, so they do form both in favor and opposition to that interest -Special interest has led to larger scope of government due to more groups more favorable laws more programs in area of interest more agencies of government to enforce etc...

What are the principle strategies that groups use to affect policy making? Which strategy seems to be the most effective, and why?

1. Lobbying: political persuaders representing organizations; they are an important source of information; they can help politicians with political strategies for getting legislation through, some cases they even write bills; they formulate campaign strategy & get group's members behind politicians reelection campaign, they are a source of ideas and innovations 2. Electioneering: direct group involvement in the electoral process. Groups can help fund campaigns, provide testimony, and get members to work for candidates, and some form PAC 3. Litigation: is going to courts to seek a specific ruling, filing of amicus curiae briefs, class action lawsuits 4. Going public: Groups use and influence public opinion through ads and endorsements by directly pitching it to the citizens which can eventually make it to the politicians

527 organizations:

A type of U.S. tax-exempt organization organized under Section 527 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. A 527 group applies only to such organizations that are not regulated under state or federal campaign finance laws because they do not "expressly advocate" for the election or defeat of a candidate or party •There are no upper limits on contributions to 527s and no restrictions on who may contribute. •There are no spending limits imposed on these organizations: However: •they must register with the IRS •Publicly disclose their donors •file periodic reports of contributions and expenditures -many 527s are used to raise money to spend on issue advocacy and voter mobilization.

PAC (Political Action Committees):

A type of organization that pools campaign contributions from members (Corporations, Labor Unions & Special Interest Groups) and donates those funds to campaign for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.

What are the four main types of interest groups? What are their primary goals?

Economic: groups that are concerned with wages, prices & profits (labor v. business) lobbying, electioneering, labor hit peak in 1950s Environmental: groups formed out of their concern for the environment, and ways to make it cleaner, lobbying & litigation, very successful in both areas Equality interest: based on 14th amendment, to bring equality to all different races in all areas of public life, lobbying, litigation, civil rights very successful however equal rights not so much has not passed Consumer & public interest: organizations that seek a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or activities of the organization , going public, lobbying, most very successful

Super PAC: (AKA: Independent Expenditures-Only Committees):

Independent groups that may not make contributions to candidate campaigns or parties, but may engage in unlimited political spending independently of the campaigns. Unlike traditional PACs, they can raise funds from anonymous individuals, corporations, unions, and other groups without any legal limit on donation size; often times today they are funded by individual wealthy billionaires. Super PACs are not allowed to coordinate directly with candidates or political parties.

501 (c3&4) Organizations:

Is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization in the United States. Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. 501(c) organizations can receive unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, and unions. This nonprofit organization is exempt from federal income tax if its activities have the following purposes: •Charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering amateur sports competition, or preventing cruelty to children or animals.

Federalist #10

Madison states if you are afraid of groups and their effects then make your own group and keep other groups in check! Groups are natural to democracy and we should not try and abolish them, but we can form our own and go against the ones we are most concerned with! Constitution already is a republic, federal system with lots of checks & balances.

What impact do political Action Committees have on interest group behavior? Evaluate the role of PACs.

PACs give groups the means to participate in electioneering, especially to members of congressional committees that consider bills, reelections have become very expensive and PAC contributions can pay for it

Christian Coalition

Purpose: A US Christian advocacy group, fighting on behalf of Christianity for laws friendly to it and religion (Multi-Issue) Category: belongs to Equality category of SI Size & $: budget as high as $26 million but due to sharp decline it is at best $1million (mainly donations), its current membership unknown due to sharp decline Techniques: likes to do heavy Electioneering, Going Public, Lobbying

American Medical Association

Purpose: A group for medical industry (doctors) to help fight on behalf of medicine and medical profession (Multi-Issue) Size & S: small group of 215,000 members with a very large budget mainly through membership fees Category: Economic (Business/Professional) category of SI Techniques: usually Lobby, and Going Public are the main strategies with some Electioneering if needed

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Purpose: A group of lawyers ready to volunteer and fight in areas involved with civil liberties (Multi-Issue) Category: belongs to Equality category of SI Size & $: small group made up of 500,000 members, and a budget of little over $100 million, accepts donations Techniques: Litigation, Lobbying & Going Public

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Purpose: A group which fights on behalf of issues and concerns involving women (Multi-Issue) Category: belong to the Equality category of SI Techniques: Lobby, Litigate and Electioneering Size & $: small group of 500,000 members, all pay Membership fees with budget over $50 million

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

Purpose: A group who represents and provides services to retired senior citizens (Multi-Issue) Category: Consumer & Public interest category of SI Size & $: a very large group (40 million) which they collect dues from and offer selective benefits, very large budget ($1 Billion) since it provides services Techniques: Lobbying, Going Public for collective good

Brady Campaign to prevent handgun violence

Purpose: Group who lobbies or litigates to end handgun or gun violence for regulations and rules in the area of gun ownership (Single-Issue) Category: Consumer & Public interest category of SI Size & $: Typical small group (28,000); Great intensity, finances of $4 million mainly through donations Techniques: Lobbying, Going Public, Litigation all for the collective good

League of Conservation Voters

Purpose: advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt and implement such policies (Multi-Issue) Category: belongs to Environmental category of SI Size & $: has small membership of 125,000, with dues paid to create a budget of $3 million Techniques: it is heavy on Lobbying and Electioneering

National Rifle Association

Purpose: made up of gun enthusiasts, want to exercise their full 2nd rights amendments, like to see laws in favor (Single-Issue) Category: Consumer & Public interest category of SI Size & $: has a large budget ($10 Million), they are considered a large group with membership of 4 million Techniques: active in Electioneering, Lobbying, Litigating & Going Public

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Purpose: started with fight for African Americans in mind & now other minorities when rights/liberties discriminated against (Multi-Issue) Category: belong to the Equality category of SI Size & $: small group of 300,000 active members; has a large budget of $150 million Techniques: Lobbying, Electioneering, Litigation

Pluralism

SIG activity brings representation to all. Groups compete & counterbalance one another in the political marketplace. Groups provide a key link between people & government., groups compete, no one group likely to become dominant

Elitism

a few groups (primarily wealthy) have most of the power, concentration of power in few hands, with most other groups having an insignificant effect on politics.

Buckley vs Valeo (1976):

allowed unlimited spending by PACs as long as acting independently & not coordinating w/candidates (emergence of 527 groups)

The Tillman Act (1907):

banned contributions by corporations to candidates

Taft-Hartley Act (1947)

banned direct contributions by labor groups to candidates

501(c4)

groups are commonly called "social welfare" organizations that may engage in political activities, as long as these activities do not become their primary purpose. This means they can use up to 49% of their raised funds for this purpose

FECA (1971-74):

made PACs legal but placed ($5,000) limit and full disclosure

Section 501(c3)

organizations are prohibited from supporting political candidates, and are subject to limits on lobbying. They risk loss of tax exempt status if these rules are violated. Organizations described in section 501(c3) are prohibited from conducting political campaign activities to intervene in elections to public office.

Emergence of PACs (1950s-1970s):

so both groups secretly did it behind the scenes, soon discovered as part of Watergate Scandal

Citizens United v. FEC (2003-2010):

this was a challenge to the ban on issue ads established by the McCain-Feingold Act 2003, it was challenged to SUP. CT. which ruled based on Freedom of speech unlimited spending on campaigns as long as independent and not advocating for one side or against the other side is Constitutional; no more 30 day ban! This led to the creation of the SUPER-PAC!!

Hyper pluralism

too many groups are getting too much of what they want, resulting in government policy that is often contradictory and lacking in direction

Federal multi-candidate PACs may contribute to candidates as follows:

•$5,000 to a candidate or candidate committee for each election (primary and general elections count as separate elections) •$15,000 to a political party per year •$5,000 to another PAC per year •PACs may make unlimited expenditures independently of a candidate or political party