The Third House
Alan Rosenthal
Chapter 1 and 2
Lobbying: The Third House
Pluralist Democracy
American politics is defined by interest groups.
Madison: Factions
We know call factions “interest groups”
Constitution: Right to Petition
1st Amendment guarantees the “right to petition.”
Lobbying: The Third House
The Proliferation of Interests and the Growth of Lobbying (2)
Lobbyists have been part of American politics from the beginning.
Tocqueville: American Disposed to start groups
Hyper-Pluralism: Explosion of Interest Groups
Since the 1960s, there has been an explosion of “interest groups.” 19601980: 30% increase in groups operating in DC.
Rise of “Citizen Groups,” Public Interest Groups
Nader, Public Citizen,
Lobbying: The Third House
Growth of Lobbying in the States
Lobbying was dominated by business, now then interest groups got into the
game.
Why Lobbying is Growing in the States
Scope of government in general is broader (at the state and
federal level): consumer affairs, environment, workplace, social issues
Deregulation/Devolution: Federal GOVT pulling back from previous
commitments. Cut aid, or passed unfunded mandates. (states had to
develop their own standards: emissions, packaging, hazardous waste,)
Example: Arizona Econ downturn, just as Reagan talked about
downsizing government.
Lobbying: The Third House
Lobbying in the States: Everyone Has a Lobbying
There has been an explosion of lobbying groups at the state level, as states
have assumed more responsible from the federal government.
No Group Could Afford to be Without a Lobby
Example: Dry Cleaners in Florida: tax them to pay for urban dev.
Lobbying: The Third House
Lobbyists in the States: By the Numbers
1990: 42,500 lobbyists registered in the states (increased by 4% since
1986)
State Examples: Number of Registered Lobbyists
CA: 1,100
Variation in States:
CA: 1989-1995: 37.5% increase
Lobbying: The Third House
Professionalization of Lobbying
As the scale of lobbying has changed, so has its character. The
modernization of state govt has also required lobbyist to change, so has
increased partisanship.
Lobbying: The Third House
How Lobbyists Are Perceived (6)
Those Employ Lobbyists
Those employ Lobbyists Understand their importance: They represent
them
Those who deal with Lobbyists
Those who deal with Lobbyists (elected officials) Understand them: they
provide information.
Public and Media
Who doesn’t understand lobbying is the Public. They see lobbyists as
subverting democracy. Media perpetuates this image.
Lobbying: The Third House
Author’s Perspective: Pro-Lobbyists (9)
The author disputes the idea that lobbyists have the direct and malicious
influence suggested by the media. “The author’s orientation is
essentially positive toward, and understanding of, lobbyists and the
lobbying process.” (12)
Chapter 2: The People Who Lobby
The People Who Lobby: Who they Are (16)
Registration and classification of “lobbyists” varies by state. So it can be
difficult to make comparisons.
Types of Lobbyists (18)
Contract: (Hired Gun) independent lobbyists. They sell their services,
and can have at dozens of clients.
Association: work for specific organizations, such as trade or labor
associations, and often have duties beyond lobbying. Are a type of “inhouse “ lobbyists.
Company: work for a specific company, a single organization, usually a
business.
Government: are employed by government associations: county, city,
municipal workers, sheriffs, school boards.
Types of Lobbyists (18)
Cause: lobbyists for citizen groups, non-profits, single-issue groups.
Ideological: lobbyists for partisan or ideological groups: National Abortion
Rights Action League, ACLU, California’s Right to Life League.
Types of Lobbyists (18)
The Business of Lobbying (20)
Types of Practices (20)
Lobbying has become more complex, but the sole practitioner still the
norm.
Group Practice: Certain Advantages (21)
Increased Scale: You can Provide Multi-Services
Greater Support Services
Team Lobbying: A-List Lobbyist Provide Credibility
Law Firms as Lobbying Firms (22)
Why People Lobby
Why People Lobby (25)
Career Paths of Contract Lobbyists (26)
How people get into Lobbying.
Common Paths to Contract Lobbying:
Government and Political Work
Legislators
Legislative Staff
Journalism
Career Paths of Other Lobbyists (30)
Association: Other Associations
Company: Law (Legal Dept.), Sales, Marketing, PR (not politics)
Cause: Depends on Cause
Why People Lobby
Why People Lobby (25)
Career Paths of Other Lobbyists (30)
Association: Other Associations
Company: Law (Legal Dept.), Sales, Marketing, PR (not politics)
Cause: Depends on Cause
a. MTA: former teachers, for example.
Why People Lobby
Why People Lobby (25)
Attraction of Lobbying: (29-30)
Addictive Qualities: Lobbying gives people who love politics a way to stay in
the “game.” Its competitive nature can also fuel an obsession with
politics.
The Money: From a government to a private sector salary.
Why People Lobby
Qualities and Styles (33)
Lobbyists have varied personal qualities, but certain qualities are desirable.
Characteristics of Lobbyists (33)
Experience: Know how system works, and new the history of specific
legislation and ideas (few ideas are new in politics).
Why People Lobby
Qualities and Styles (33)
Lobbyists have varied personal qualities, but certain qualities are desirable.
Characteristics of Lobbyists
Experience: Know how system works, and new the history of specific
legislation and ideas (few ideas are new in politics).
People Skills/Interpersonal Skills: (Norms)
Intuition and Instinct, Political Judgement
Having a feel for the institutions of government. Need to have good
political judgment.
Why People Lobby
Characteristics of Lobbyists
Tenacity, Persistence
Attitude:
Have to Like Your Issue, as well as the people you are lobbying. Be
positive: “I spend a lot of my energy just trying to find something I like n
each member…I try not to not like people.”
Why People Lobby
Characteristics of Lobbyists
Tenacity, Persistence
Attitude:
Have to Like Your Issue, as well as the people you are lobbying. Be
positive: “I spend a lot of my energy just trying to find something I like n
each member…I try not to not like people.”