U.S. Government – Interest Groups
I.
Definition
a. organization of people whose members share policy views on specific issues and attempt to influence public policy
to their benefit
b. *operate at every level of government in America’s federal system
c. *over 20,000 interest groups exist today
II. Linkage Institutions…
a. express members’ preferences to government policymakers
b. convey government policy information to their members
III. Goals
a.
b.
c.
IV. Types
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
gain access to policymakers
influence public policy
support sympathetic policymakers
Economic Interests
i. Business Groups (Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers)
ii. Labor Groups (AFL-CIO)
iii. Agricultural Groups (Farm Bureau, National Farmers Union)
iv. Professional Associations (NEA, AMA, ABA)
Environmental Groups (Sierra Club, WWF)
Consumer & Other Public Interests
Equality Interest Groups (NAACP, NOW)
Single-Issue Groups (NRA, National Right to Life Committee, Planned Parenthood)
V. Strategies
a. LOBBYING (attempting to influence…)
i. meaning = attempting to influence (communication by someone, other than a citizen acting on his/her own
behalf, directed toward a governmental decision maker)
ii. two types of lobbyists  regularly paid individuals AND temporary, as needed, individuals
iii. target all members of government, especially members of Congress!
1. can help Congress too…
a. important sources of information
b. attempt to help with political strategy
c. assist with campaigns
d. resource of ideas and innovations
b. PUBLIC OPINION
i. want to influence
ii. in doing so, maintain a good public image
c. MONEY (PACs)
i. meaning = political action committees … emerged in 1974
ii. $$$! – Federal Election Commission handles this management
iii. PACs will give money as an “investment” in the future  share same interests/issues, from a district/state
that would assist the group, would benefit from such leadership positions
VI. Successful Interest Groups?
a. Size
i. Large v. Small
ii. “free-rider problem” – bigger the group, the greater this problem is (lots of people getting a “free ride”
from others doing the work)
iii. smaller groups also tend to find it easier to organize themselves for political action
b. intensity
i. passion for one’s interest
ii. single-issue groups have formed because of a “single issue” (and are often very successful)
c. financial resources  $$$