Interest Groups Organization, Structure & Function

Chapter 11: A Quick & Brief Overview of the Information!

Pop Quiz 111. What is the name of the street in DC that is home to the

headquarters of over 7000 groups?

2. Name one reason why lobbies are so common in the United States. (Book states 3!)

3. Name one interest group that formed before 1960

4. Name one interest group formed after 1960.

5. Define solidary incentive.

6. Name the man responsible for the founding of Public Citizen and hundreds of other consumer groups.

Why are lobbies so common in US?

• More cleavages in society:– Immigration– No national religion

• Federalism and Separation of Powers– Three levels of government to lobby– Three branches to lobby

• Weak political parties– Groups work with individual parts of government

Kinds of Interest Groups• If interest groups seek to influence public

policy, how do institutional and membership interest groups differ?

• Institutional Interest Groups: Defined? Ex.?– Business firms, Trade or governmental

association, foundations, universities

• Membership Interest Groups: Defined? Ex.?– Why types do Am. Join more often, less often

than Eur. Countries? Why join civil orgs.?

Incentives• Solidary incentives

– What are they?

– What facilitates them?

– Examples?

• Material incentives– What are they?

– Examples?

Incentives• Purposive incentives

– What are they?

– What 3 factors drive membership?

– Why is this type of incentive important to ideological interest groups?

– How do public interest groups benefit non-members? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsjMVuOib4U&list=PL5621337FC3F5B5CB&index=3&feature=plpp_video

– Why is publicity important to purposive groups?

Staff of interest groups

• Many are lawyers…there are more lawyers in DC than in LA.

• Purposive goals drive staff, even if solidary and material incentives drive members.

• Are staff of interest groups political elites?

• Examples to prove?

Social Movements• What are they & why do they occur?

• Environmental movement– In what 3 eras did they occur? Why?– Which is better: small & vociferous or large &

less activist? Why?

Social Movements

• Feminist Movement– Give an example of a solidary group & explain

how & why they function.– What is the result often of purposive groups?

Why?– Name an example of a material group & what’s

gained.

Social Movements

• Union Movement– What has caused the union movement to

decline?

– How has this affected the public’s view of unions?

– What type of unions are attracting new members? Why?

Funds for Interest Groups• Besides members’ dues, how do interest

groups raise funds?

• Which types of groups have the most trouble raising funds? Why?

• What type of interest groups get most of their funds from foundation grants?

• How do federal grants fund lobbying groups? What President “de-funded the left?”

Funds for Interest Groups

• How has direct mail been successfully used for interest groups? Examples?

• What is the major drawback of direct mail?

• What techniques are used to appeal to recipients? How successful would these be in recruiting you?

What do Interest Groups do?1. Providing Information

• Why is supplying credible info seen as the most important tactic by interest groups?

• Why must the info provided be credible?

• Discuss client politics. (CAB, FCC, FEA)

• How do “political cues” affect legislators’ decisions? (Lib. listens to lib. Groups, etc.)

• What is the purpose of ratings?

What do Interest Groups do?2. Generating Public Support• Difference between insider & outsider strategy? • What has led to grassroots lobbying or mass

mobilization? (TV, toll-free #s, Internet, etc)• How do politicians avoid controversy & pressure by

interest groups and lobbyists? (listen to groups with whom they agree)

• Who are lobbyists’ key targets? What positive & negative tactics do they employ? (Fence-sitters)

• How can grassroots support pressure lawmakers?

What do Interest Groups do?

3. Contributing to Campaigns• How did FECA affect campaign donations?

• Why is T. Kennedy wrong by saying, “The finest Congress money can buy?”

• Which type of PACs is the fastest growing? (id) Why do they contribute so little compared to other type of PACs? (direct mail)

• Who gets PAC money? Who gives it? (283-84)

• What does PAC money really buy? (Access)

What do Interest Groups do?

4. Accessing the “Revolving Door”• What is the fear of the revolving door?

• How has the Ethics in Gov’t Act reduced the conflicts of interest created by the revolving door?

5. Creating Trouble• What do you feel is the most effective form

of making trouble? Least effective? Exs.

What do Interest Groups do?

• 6. Litigation

• Why do groups file lawsuits?– Popular support not on side

– Gain injunction

– Bring attention

• Examples?

Regulating Interest Groups

• In groups, explain your act and how it impacted special interest groups & lobbying with a graphic organizer:1. The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act (1946)

2. The Federal Elections & Campaign Act (1974)

3. The Lobbyist Disclosure Act (1995)

4. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002)