Special Interest Groups

Special Interest Groups

Interest Group: linkage group that is a public or private organization, affiliation, or committee that has the goal of dissemination of its membership’s viewpoint • The result: will be persuading public policymakers to respond to the group’s perspective • Only criteria to join an interest group: have same interests & attitudes toward the goals of the organization • Once a group is formed – has internal functions of attracting and keeping a viable membership by making promises to their membership & being able to succeed in their political goals Characteristics

Pluralism (centrist position results b/c there is a more far-reaching and balanced group representation) Elite (group behavior derives from upper class) Hyperpluralism (so many competing groups it creates gridlock) Group Theory (pluralist, hyperpluralist, elite)

Pluralists maintain that • Competing groups are healthy b/c they provide political connection to gov’t, offering gov’t officials a choice • Competition often clarifies information and prevents any one group from dominating gov’t • Competing groups have each developed political strategies to achieve their goals and that eventually the resources of one group will independently affect gov’t policy

Critics of elite theory maintain that • Power is concentrated by largest and richest organizations • Unequal nature of power of groups negates fact that groups are proliferating • Ultimately $ talks, and these large groups will have the most influence

Interest groups were a concern for founders (think Federalist #10) • Particularly concerned elites would gain control, blocking access to gov’t Historical Background of Interest Groups

Raise awareness & stimulate interest in public affairs • Educate members & public • Represent membership – as link between members & gov’t • Provide info to the gov’t • Especially data & testimony to influence public policy • Provide channels for political participation enabling citizens to work together to achieve a common goal Functions of Interest Groups

Economic interest groups • Most are formed on basis of economic interests • Labor groups promote & protect organized labor • AFL-CIO, Teamsters Union • Business groups promote & protect business interests in general • Chamber of Commerce of the US and National Association of Manufacturers • Professional groups maintain standards within a profession, hold professional meetings, publish journals • National Education Association (NEA), American Medical Association (AMA), American Bar Association (ABA) • Agricultural groups promote general agricultural & farmer interests • National Grange, National Farmers’ Union Types of interest Groups

Groups that promote causes • Specific causes • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) • National Rifle Association (NRA) • Welfare of specific groups • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) • Religion related causes • National Council of Churches • American Jewish Congress

Public Interest Groups • Are concerned w/ issues such as the environment, consumer protection, crime, civil rights • League of Women Voters • Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) • Sierra Club

Influencing Elections (electioneering) • Encouraging members to vote for candidates who support their views • Influencing party platforms & nomination of candidates • Campaigning and contributing money to parties and candidates through political action committees (PACs) Strategies of Interest Groups

Litigation • Groups take an issue to court if unsuccessful in gaining support of Congress • Used successfully by NAACP in 1950s against segregation • Going public • Use the media! • Appealing to the public for support by bringing attention to an issue • Using public relations to gain support for the image of the interest group itself

Lobbying (most powerful) • Attempting to influence policymakers by supplying data to gov’t officials to convince these policymakers their case is most deserving • Direct lobbying: using personal contacts between lobbyists and policymakers • Grassroots lobbying: interested group members & others write letters & emails, make phone calls to influence policymaking • Coalition lobbying: several interest groups w/ common goals join together to influence policymakers • Groups will often hire recently retired members of Congress to use inside experience to outmaneuver another group • Impropriety caused Congress to create a waiting period before former members can be such consultants • Even stricter rules apply to former members of executive branch hired to lobby former agencies

Testify • Attend committee hearings & bring biases and points of expertise • Comment on possible impact of bills, esp. for or against goals of their group • Meet • Personal contacts are way to make political arguments • Paid junkets – lobby organizations pay for trips & vacations for members of gov’t • Highly controversial b/c open bias and bribery Lobbyist Activities

Research • Have time & resources to gather data to sway members of Congress • Lead • Sway masses w/in organization to call & write to the members of gov’t • Fund • Raising and contributing of campaign funds • Possibly most powerful action • Litigate • Turn to courts to attack acts, rules, regulations they feel are unfair to group

Campaign finance reforms of 1970s prohibited corporations and labor unions from making direct contributions to candidates running for federal office • PACs are political arms of interest groups • Federal law regulates PACs • Must register w/ federal gov’t • Raise money from multiple contributors, donate to several candidates, follow strict accounting rules Political Action committees

What PACs do • Give $$ directly to candidate’s campaigns – hard money • Closely regulated by Federal Election Commission • Give $$ to parties – soft money • Use $$ to create ads or messages for “issues” w/o specifically supporting a particular candidate • These expenditures are unregulated

Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946) requires lobbyists to register w/ clerk of HoR & secretary of Senate if principle purpose is to influence legislation • Directed at those who tried to influence members of Congress • 1971 & 1974: Federal Election Campaign Acts were passed • Limits extent of contributions to presidential campaigns • Legitimized & increased number of interest groups b/c it authorized open participation • 1976: Buckley v Valeo – limitations on individuals making donations in presidential elections were unconstitutional b/c matching public financing was involved • As result: McCain-Feingold campaign finance law & S Court decision… PACs are prohibited from donating soft $ to political parties or presidential candidates Regulation of Interest Groups

Lobbying Disclosure Act (1995): created stricter regulations by requires registration if lobbying was directed at members of Congress, congressional staff, or policymakers in executive branch • 2008 – Obama issued additional regulations to prevent former lobbyists from receiving appointments to his administration • Lobby reform legislation passed in 2006 made lobbyists disclose how much $ they contributed & raised for candidates • Also made illegal gifts lobbyists could give to congressmen • Also required congressmen to disclose any earmarks they inserted in bills • Also slowed down how fast lawmakers could become lobbyists

Public perception today • Relatively negative b/c of • Excessive sums spent to influence elections • Rapid creation of new interest groups – conflicts revolve around power of interest groups • Is their ability to donate huge amounts of $$ the decisive factor between those who influence policy and those ignored? • However, 4,600+ PACs means all kinds of groups and opinions have access to public officials • Interest groups run spectrum of political beliefs • Can be most effective way for citizens to make their voices heard by gov’t • Often hire professional representatives to lobby for their interests Current Views

Special Interest Groups