Peter L. Francia, East Carolina University, (undergraduate) Interest Group Politics (Spring 2010) INTEREST GROUP POLITICS
POLS 3011
Spring 2010
Classroom: Brewster C-102
Class time: Tues. & Thurs., 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Office hours: Tues. 2–4 p.m., Wed. 10 a.m.–12 p.m.,
Thurs. 2–4 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. Peter L. Francia
Office: Brewster A-119
Telephone: 252-328-6126
E-Mail: [email protected]
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course examines the role and influence of interest groups in American politics.
Topics include the reasons that interest groups form and the ways that they maintain
themselves; the reasons that people join interest groups; the importance of leaders and
leadership strategies in attracting members and in building and maintaining the stature of
the group; interest group activities in political campaigns and elections; inside-the-system
efforts to influence government policy through lobbyists and lobbying activities; outsidethe-system efforts to influence government policy through protests and civil
disobedience; and bias in interest-group representation and its effects on government
policy. The course also draws on case studies of interest groups to apply and reinforce
the core concepts covered in class lectures and the required readings. Throughout the
semester, I encourage you to think critically about several important questions: Are
interest groups the healthy byproduct of a free society that allows citizens to organize,
assemble, and petition the government, or are they a pernicious outgrowth of citizens
pursuing their own selfishly motivated interests at the expense of the common good?
What role, if any, should the government play in regulating interest group campaign and
lobbying activities? Do societal inequalities affect which interests are able to organize
and voice their concerns effectively in the political arena or does group competition
balance conflicting interests? Are interest groups, as a whole, more beneficial or harmful
to American democracy?
COURSE STRUCTURE
Classes will include a lecture on the topic listed in the course outline. However, I will
not do all of the talking. Everyone should come to class prepared to ask questions and to
contribute to class discussions. The best classes are those with an interactive classroom
environment. It is, therefore, essential for everyone to keep up with the assigned weekly
readings. To help generate additional thought and discussion on the subjects covered in
the course, I will show video material in class. This will include news stories,
documentaries, and political films.
REQUIRED READINGS
(1) Jeffrey M. Berry and Clyde Wilcox, The Interest Group Society, 5th ed. (Pearson
Longman, 2009).
(2) Mark J. Rozell, Clyde Wilcox, and David Madland, Interest Groups in American
Campaigns: The New Face of Electioneering, 2nd ed. (CQ Press, 2006).
(3) Robert G. Kaiser, So Damn Much Money: The Triumph of Lobbying and the
Corrosion of American Government (Alfred A. Knopf, 2009).
(2)
Selected articles and book chapters (available on Blackboard).
EVALUATION
(1) Quiz on February 2. The quiz is worth 15% of your overall grade.
(2) Exam on March 4. The exam is worth 30% of your overall grade.
(3) You have the option of choosing to write a 12-page research paper (due on May 4) or
to take an in-class final exam on May 4. The paper/final exam is worth 40% of your
overall grade.
(4) Class attendance and participation is worth the remaining 15% of your overall grade.
CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Class attendance is mandatory. I will circulate an attendance sign-in sheet at the
beginning of each lecture. It is your responsibility to make sure that you sign the
attendance sheet if you are present in class. If you arrive excessively late to class or if
you leave class early, you will receive only partial credit for attendance. Your class
attendance grade will be based on the percentage of classes that you attend (e.g., a student
who attends every class will earn a 100; a student who attends half of the classes will
earn a 50, etc.). Students who are active participants during class discussions will receive
a bonus point added to their overall course grade.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
I will excuse absences only for an incapacitating or contagious illness, unavoidable
surgery, a death in the immediate family, or if you are a member of an ECU athletic team
that requires you to travel and miss class. You must present some form of verification if
you wish to have your absence excused. Acceptable forms of verification include the
following: (1) a doctor’s note indicating the severity of your illness or that you required
unavoidable surgery; (2) an obituary; or (3) official documentation from the athletic
department indicating your travel schedule. You must present me with verification no
later than one week after the absence.
EXAM ATTENDANCE AND 12-PAGE PAPER REQUIREMENTS
All students are required to take the quiz and exam scheduled on February 2 and March 4
respectively. Please come prepared to class with an exam booklet and a pen. Failure to
be present for the quiz or exam will result in an automatic “0.” If you cannot attend class
on February 2 or March 4, you must contact me at least 30 minutes before I have
administered the test. I will grant a make-up quiz/exam only for extraordinary
circumstances. If you miss the quiz or exam because of an illness, you are still required
to contact me before I administer the test. You also must present me with a note from
your doctor that verifies your illness was serious enough to prevent you from taking the
test. On May 4, you have the option to take the in-class final examination or to submit a
12-page research paper. If you choose the writing assignment, then the completed 12page paper is due at 11 a.m. on May 4. No extensions will be granted for any reason. If
you have not completed the paper by May 4, then you must take the in-class final exam.
I will not accept any research papers via e-mail attachments (hard copies only). If you
have questions about a possible school closing due to severe weather or other reasons,
please call the University Emergency Telephone Number at 252-328-0062.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
I will strictly enforce the university code of academic integrity. Violations include:
(1) Cheating. Unauthorized aid or assistance or the giving or receiving of unfair
advantage on any form of academic work.
(2) Plagiarism. Copying the language, structure, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and
adopting same as one’s own original work. (Please note that failure to recognize and cite
the work of others in your research constitutes plagiarism.)
(3) Falsification. Statement of any untruth, either spoken or written, regarding any
circumstances relative to academic work.
(4) Attempts. Attempting any act that if completed would constitute an academic
integrity violation as defined herein.
For more information about university policies concerning academic integrity, please
visit the website: http://www.ecu.edu/csacad/fsonline/customcf/facultymanual/part4/44.htm. The penalties for violating the
university code of academic integrity range from failure in the course to possible
expulsion from the university.
CLASSROOM RULES
The classroom is a learning environment. I expect all students to observe some basic
rules of courtesy, which include the following: (1) arrive to class on time and do not
leave before class is dismissed; (2) turn off cell phones; (3) laptop use during class is
solely limited to note-taking and may not be used for music listening, game playing, web
browsing, or Internet chats; (4) no eating during class; (5) do not read the newspaper,
listen to music through headphones, etc., during class; (6) do not sleep during class; (7)
do not carry on private conservations with others in the classroom while someone else is
speaking; and (8) please be courteous to your classmates and respectful of your fellow
students’ views, comments, and questions. Failure to follow these rules will negatively
affect your class attendance and participation grade. Repeated offenses could result in
your expulsion from the class.
DISABILITY SERVICES
East Carolina University seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). Students requesting accommodations based on a covered disability must go to
the Department for Disability Support Services located in Slay 138 to verify the disability
before any accommodations can occur. The telephone number is 252-737-1016.
APPOINTMENTS
My office is located in the Brewster Building, Room A-119. My office hours are from 2
to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday. If
you cannot meet with me during office hours, please see me after class or contact me by
telephone or e-mail to schedule an appointment. If you need to reach me after 4 p.m.,
please use e-mail.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1 (Jan. 12 and Jan. 14). Overview of the Course & Madison’s Dilemma
January 12, 2010: Overview of the course and the importance of interest groups
January 14, 2010: Pluralism and the debate surrounding it
•
Required reading for Week 1: The Interest Group Society, Chapter 1; see also
James Madison, “Federalist No. 10,” at http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fed_10.html.
•
Optional reading for Week 1: Blackboard: Peter L. Francia, “Organized Interests:
Evolution and Influence,” The Oxford Handbook of American Elections and
Political Behavior.
Week 2 (Jan. 19 and Jan. 21). Why Interest Groups Form
January 19, 2010: The rise of interest groups and the reasons that groups form
January 21, 2010: Film: Where Do You Stand? Stories from an American Mill
•
Required reading for Week 2: The Interest Group Society, Chapters 2 and 3 (pp.
34-38).
•
Optional reading for Week 2: Blackboard: Selections from David Truman, The
Governmental Process (1951); Mancur Olson, The Logic of Collective Action
(1965); and James Q. Wilson, Political Organizations (1973).
Week 3 (Jan. 26 and Jan. 28). Leadership Strategies
January 26, 2010: Entrepreneurs and the importance of leadership
January 28, 2010: Film: I am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA
•
Required reading for Week 3: The Interest Group Society, Chapter 3 (pp. 38-61).
•
Optional reading for Week 3: Blackboard: Robert H. Salisbury, “An Exchange
Theory of Interest Groups,” Midwest Journal of Political Science (1969).
Week 4 (Feb. 2 and Feb. 4). Interest Groups and American Politics
February 2, 2010: Quiz on the material covered in weeks 1-3
February 4, 2010: Campaign finance rules and regulations
•
Required reading for Week 4: The Interest Group Society, Chapter 5; and Interest
Groups in American Campaigns, Chapter 1.
•
Optional reading for Week 4: Blackboard: Selections from Michael J. Malbin
(ed.), The Election After Reform: Money, Politics, and the Bipartisan Campaign
Reform Act (2006).
Week 5 (Feb. 9 and Feb. 11). Interest Groups, Parties, and Candidates
February 9, 2010: Interest groups and parties
February 11, 2010: Interest groups and candidates
•
Required reading for Week 5: The Interest Group Society, Chapter 4; and Interest
Groups in American Campaigns, Chapters 2-3.
•
Optional reading for Week 5: Blackboard: Selections from David B. Magleby, J.
Quin Monson, and Kelly D. Patterson (eds.), Dancing Without Partners (2007).
Week 6 (Feb. 16 and Feb. 18). Interest Groups and Voters
February 16, 2010: Interest groups and voter mobilization
February 18, 2010: Issue advocacy (with video: Political War on the Air)
•
Required reading for Week 6: Interest Groups in American Campaigns, Chapters
4-5.
•
Optional reading for Week 6: Blackboard: Selections from Michael M. Franz,
Choices and Changes: Interest Groups in the Electoral Process (2008); and
Sidney Verba, Kay Lehman Schlozman, and Henry Brady, Voice and Equality
(1995).
Week 7 (Feb. 23 and Feb. 25). Lobbyists and Lobbying, Part I
February 23, 2010: The job of a lobbyist
February 25, 2010: Lobbying techniques; begin film: Thank You for Smoking
•
Required reading for Week 7: The Interest Group Society, Chapter 6.
•
Optional reading for Week 7: Blackboard: Selections from Jeffrey Birnbaum, The
Lobbyists (1992).
Week 8 (Mar. 2 and Mar. 4). Lobbyists and Lobbying, Part II
March 2, 2010: Film: Thank You for Smoking
March 4, 2010: Exam on the material covered in weeks 1-7
•
Required reading for Week 8: The Interest Group Society, Chapters 7-8.
•
Optional reading for Week 8: Blackboard: Selections from Allan J. Cigler and
Burdett A. Loomis (eds.), Interest Group Politics, 7th ed. (2007).
Week 9 (Mar. 9 and Mar. 11). Spring Break
Week 10 (Mar. 16 and Mar. 18). Bias and Representation
March 16, 2010: Corporate wealth and political advocacy; begin film: The Corporation
March 18, 2010: Film: The Corporation
•
Required reading for Week 10: The Interest Group Society, Chapter 10.
•
Optional reading for Week 10: Blackboard: Selections from E.E. Schattschneider,
The Semisovereign People (1960), Theodore Lowi, The End of Liberalism (1969),
and Charles E. Lindblom, Politics and Markets (1977).
Week 11 (Mar. 23 and Mar. 25). Case Studies: The NRA
March 23, 2010: History of the NRA
March 25, 2010: Film: Guns & Mothers
•
Required reading for Week 11: Blackboard: Immanuel Ness (ed.), “National Rifle
Association,” Encyclopedia of Interest Groups and Lobbyists in the United States
(2000); and selections from Dan Balz and Ronald Brownstein, Storming the Gates
(1996).
•
Optional reading for Week 11: Blackboard: Selections from Allan J. Cigler and
Burdett A. Loomis (eds.), Interest Group Politics, 7th ed. (2007).
Week 12 (Mar. 30 and Apr. 1). Case Studies: The Environmental Movement
March 30, 2010: History of the environmental movement
April 1, 2010: Video: Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
•
Required reading for Week 12: Blackboard: Immanuel Ness (ed.), “Sierra Club,”
“League of Conservation Voters,” and the “Environmental Defense Fund,”
Encyclopedia of Interest Groups and Lobbyists in the United States (2000); and
selections from Riley Dunlap and Angela G. Mertig (ed.), American
Environmentalism: The U.S. Environmental Movement, 1970-1990 (1992).
•
Optional reading for Week 12: Blackboard: Selections from Allan J. Cigler and
Burdett A. Loomis (eds.), Interest Group Politics, 7th ed. (2007).
Week 13 (Apr. 6 and Apr. 8). Case Studies: The Religious Right
April 6, 2010: The rise of the Religious Right in American politics
April 8, 2010: Film: George W. Bush and the Rise of the Religious Right
•
Required reading for Week 13: Blackboard: Immanuel Ness (ed.), “Christian
Coalition,” Encyclopedia of Interest Groups and Lobbyists in the United States
(2000); and selections from Clyde Wilcox and Carin Larson, Onward Christian
Soldiers: The Religious Right in American Politics, 3rd ed. (2006).
•
Optional reading for Week 13: Blackboard: Selections from Allan J. Cigler and
Burdett A. Loomis (eds.), Interest Group Politics, 7th ed. (2007).
Week 14 (Apr. 13 and Apr. 15). Case Studies: Organized Labor
April 13, 2010: History of organized labor
April 15, 2010: Harlan County, U.S.A.
•
Required reading for Week 14: Blackboard: Immanuel Ness (ed.), “American
Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations,” Encyclopedia of
Interest Groups and Lobbyists in the United States (2000); and selections from
John W. Hevener, Which Side Are You On? (1978).
•
Optional reading for Week 14: Blackboard: Selections from Peter L. Francia, The
Future of Organized Labor in American Politics (2006).
Week 15 (Apr. 20 and Apr. 22). Assessing Interest Groups/Exam Review
April 20, 2010: Assessing interest groups
April 22, 2010: Review for the final exam
FINAL EXAM/12-PAGE RESEARCH PAPER
May 4, 2010. If you have opted to do the 12-page research paper, the assignment is due
at 11 a.m. in Brewster C-102. If not, then you are required to take the in-class final
exam. The final exam is cumulative, covering all of the material listed above. It is
scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Brewster C-102.
12-PAGE PAPER ASSIGNMENT
Numerous scholars have defended the role of interest groups and lobbying in American
politics. Others have been sharply critical. Robert G. Kaiser’s recent book, So Damn
Much Money, adds to this debate. For this assignment, I would like you to review and
evaluate Kaiser’s central arguments. The first half of the paper should attempt to answer
the following questions: What is Kaiser’s position about the growth of lobbying in
Washington, D.C.? How does Kaiser depict the way that special interests try to influence
the government? According to Kaiser, what have been the consequences of modern
lobbying for American democracy? In the second half of the paper, please evaluate
Kaiser’s arguments. What are some possible criticisms of his arguments? Are those
criticisms reasonable or does Kaiser make a stronger case? Please support your position
with examples from the course readings, the academic literature, and other supporting
evidence. Please conclude your paper with an assessment of whether the government
should pass stricter restrictions on lobbying or whether lobbying reforms are unlikely to
do much good. If you argue for stricter restrictions, which would you recommend and
why? If you argue against the need for stricter lobbying laws, explain why reform is not
needed or is unlikely to work. The final paper is due on May 4.
* * *
Tips for Preparing the Paper:
•
The best outside sources are academic books and journal articles (e.g., American
Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of
Politics, etc.). To earn a passing grade, your paper should include a minimum of
five different academic sources.
•
Please note that any papers without citations are guilty of plagiarism. These
papers will receive an automatic “F” and may be subject to additional
disciplinary action.
•
ALL PAPERS MUST FOLLOW THE APSA STYLE MANUAL FOR
POLITICAL SCIENCE. The APSA Style Manual for Political Science can be
downloaded at: http://www.ipsonet.org/data/files/APSAStyleManual2006.pdf.
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All papers should be double-spaced with one-inch margins in Times New Roman
font (please use a 12-point font size). Page numbers also should be included.
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A well-written paper requires a thesis or an argument. You should state your
thesis in the beginning or introduction of the paper. Readers should have a good
idea of what the entire paper will show by the end of the second page or earlier.
•
The introduction should tell the reader what exactly you are going to say in the
paper. The introduction also should arouse the interest of the reader.
•
The body of the paper should provide evidence that convinces the reader of your
central argument. Citations from books, articles, and other sources are necessary
to make your argument as convincing as possible.
•
The conclusion should summarize your major arguments and consider any
implications related to your thesis. It should also tie together your central points
in a coherent manner.
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For additional information on how to write a proper research paper, please see Dr.
Jody Baumgartner’s website at http://professional.jodyb.net/write.pdf.