Linkage Institutions

Linkage Institutions AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Yesterday during Period 6 Law & Society • a Mr. Maxwell Henriewas seen • engaged in an extended hug with • IRLANDA • Sorry, Danny Linkage Institutions AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Linkage Institutions AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Quotable Quote • Americans of all ages, all conditions, • and all dispositions constantly form • associations. • Alexis de Tocqueville Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Basic Definition • An organization of people • with shared policy goals . . . • Enters the policy process at several points • to try to achieve these goals Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Interest Groups v. Political Parties • Both promote democracy by . . . • Linking citizens to the political process • However . . . • Individual interest groups have a narrower range of interests than political parties Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Basic Categories • * Economic • * Environmental • * Equality • * Consumers Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Economic – Environmental – Equality – Consumers – Public Interest Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

The MOST INFLUENTIAL • according to Fortune magazine Interest Groups From my cold, dead hands! AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

How Groups Try to Shape Policy • * Lobbying • * Electioneering • * Litigation • * Going Public Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Lobbying • Attempt to influence governmental • decision maker . . . • Made by someone other than a citizen • acting on his own behalf Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Lobbying . . . Positives • * Source of information & expertise • * Help politicians with political strategy • for passing legislation • * Help politicians formulate campaign • strategy and gain group’s support • * Source of ideas and innovation Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Reminder . . . • The mutually dependent relationship • between . . . • * Bureaucracy • * Congressional • Committees • * Interest Groups Interest Groups IRON TRIANGLE AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Electioneering • Direct group involvement in elections • * Fund campaigns • * Provide supportive testimony • * Form Political Action Committees Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

PACS • Organizations set up to channel MONEY • to political campaigns • Helps interest groups gain access • to legislators Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

PACS & Interest Groups • Support both Democrats & Republicans • Goal is to affect legislation • Reminder: • Who usually wins Congressional elections? • INCUMBENTS Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

PACS • Number in 1974= • Number in 2006 = • The biggest increase has been in PACS representing . . . ? Interest Groups 608 4,210 ENVIRONMENT CONSUMERS EDUCATION BUSINESS LABOR AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Business must learn the lesson • that political power is necessary; • that such power must be • assiduously cultivated; • it must be used aggressively • and with determination . . . • Lewis Powell • Attorney • Represented tobacco companies • in many lawsuits Interest Groups In a Memo written to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1971 Named to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972 AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Litigation • If cannot get favorable action in Congress • Sometimes groups turn to Courts with: • * Class Action lawsuits . . . • which permit a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people • “similarly situated” Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Litigation • If cannot get favorable action in Congress • Sometimes groups turn to Courts with: • * “Friend of the Court” briefs . . . • known as • Amicus Curiae briefs Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Going Public • May appeal to the public for support • * Call on people to contact representatives • * Build public goodwill • * Employ PR firms • * Use advertising Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Which of the following models / theories • of American democracy would say that • the workings of interest groups is a good thing? • Pluralist • Elite & Class • Hyperpluralist Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Which of the following models / theories • of American democracy would say that • the workings of interest groups is a bad thing? • Pluralist • Elite & Class • Hyperpluralist Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Which of the following models / theories • of American democracy would say that • interest groups generally favor the wealthy? • Pluralist • Elite & Class • Hyperpluralist Interest Groups AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Linkages

Linkage Institutions