Today, joining an interest group or participating in a social movement may

be as simple as clicking a like button, signing an online petition, or

signing up for an email listserv
Interest groups exist to make demands on the government and usually
deal with ideological, public interest, foreign policy, government itself, as
well asethnic, religious, and racial issues and groups
** Because of the many different opinions and interests of Americans,
interest groups are made in order to advocate for their special issue.
Interest group power can be affected by size, resources, cohesiveness,
leadership, and techniques
(Interest group theorists use a variety of theories to explain
how interest groups form and how they influence public policy.
Pluralist theory argues that political power is distributed among
a wide range of diverse and competing interest groups) 455
Pluralism- a theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and
competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.
o Using multiple factions to check the power of other factions is one
example of pluralism.
o In pluralist systems there is a great degree of concern with how
interest groups might undermine democracy.
o Groups in such systems often claim to pursue an agenda that is in
the public interest, but in practice they often serve rather narrow
interests.
Political parties and interest groups are different:
Political parties aim to attain or maintain power, however interest groups
do not have such an aim, instead they aim to influence decision making
and the politicians
Parties blend various demands, not just support particular ones because
they have to appeal to more people, however interest groups focus upon
particular issues.
How can interest groups help a candidate? Donate money through Political
Action Committees
How do interest groups attempt to influence the behavior of political
parties? Be active in party affairs or take leadership positions in a party.
PROS OF INTEREST GROUPS:
Help to stimulate Public affairs-those issues and events that concern
the people at large
Help raise awareness of public policy affairs
Represent their members on the basis of shared attitudes rather than
on the basis of geography
Provide useful, specialized and detailed information on the
government
Interest groups regularly reach out to the public to accomplish one or all of
(3) major goals:

1. Supply the public with information an organization thinks the people

should have.
2. To build a positive image for the group.
3. To promote a particular public policy
One person = One vote
Lots of people = Lots of Votes
Economic interest group
o Agriculture (Am. Farm Bureau Federation - nations largest)
o Labor (AFL- CIO; Teamsters; Union membership on the decline)- on the
decline
o Business (Chamber of Commerce)
o Professional (AMA)
Although some groups still hold in-person marches and protests, the
number of people attending these events is small in comparison to the
number of virtual supporters groups have in cyberspace
Today, groups have found new responsibilities, as decisions such as
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) have opened the
door for greater involvement by political action committees (PACs) and
SuperPACs.
Interest groups are becoming more informal
Older organizations such as the Elks club and the League of Women Voters
are attracting fewer new members
o That doesnt mean people arent joining groups, they are simply
joining different groups in online social networks 455
Why is it so important?
Involvement in community groups and activities with others
of like interest enhances the level of social capital
The more social capital that exist in any given community
the more citizens are engaged in its governance and wellbeing and the more likely they are to work for the collective
good
This tendency to form small-scale associations for the public
good, or civic virtue, creates fertile ground within
communities for improved political and economic
development
If Americans truly are joining fewer groups overall citizen
engagement and government and the governments
provision of services may suffer
Interested in also important because they give the
underrepresented or unrepresented an opportunity to have
their voices heard thereby making the government and the
policymaking process more representative of diverse
populations and perspectives

Interest groups offer powerful and wealthy interests even

greater access to, or influence on, policymakers at all levels
of government
Interest groups enhance political participation by motivating like-minded
individuals to work toward a common purpose
Legislators often and much more likely to listen to be concerned about the
interest of the group as opposed any interest of any one individual
Interest groups often fill voids left by the major political parties and give
Americans opportunities to make organized claims on government
The most common activity of interest groups is lobbying
o Lobbyists try to influence legislation through such methods as
presenting expert testimony, using the mass media, and mounting
grass-roots campaigns
o They also work to shape the ways that legislation, once passed, is
interpreted and enforced
o Attempt to influence government (most effective on narrow, technical
issues that are not well publicized)
o Function of Lobbyists
o Influence govt.
o Provide information to the govt.
o Provide political cues on issues
o Testify at hearings
o Help write legislation
o A third house of Congress
Lobbying- good or bad?
Pros
Provide useful info to govt.
Means of participation
Representation based upon interest rather than geography
1st amendment protection
Madison in Fed 10- to rid us of factions would cause the loss of liberty
Cons
Rich and powerful interests over-represented
Avg. and poor people under-rep.
Safeguard liberty and sacrifice equality
Contribute to polarizations
Further diffusion of power
National interests sacrificed for narrow interests
o Why is there apparently an upper-class bias?
o Are the upper-class a unified, cohesive voice in politics?
o Who are the combatants in most political conflicts?
Political Action Committees
The political aim of an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds
on a voluntary basis from members, stockholders, or employees to

contribute funds to candidates or political parties.

PACS are very influential in the elections, as they are the primary funders
for political candidates.
(PACs use campaign donations to buy the votes of legislators
and effectively use contributions to punish legislators and
affect policy) 403
Growth of PACS
o PAC- group that raises funds for favored candidates
o So many that now there will be money on every conceivable side of an
issue. As a result, Congress can take money and still decide for
themselves how to vote.
o Approximately 4000 PACs are registered with the FEC
o Reason - Congress wanted to open up campaign contributions to the
masses (as represented by PACs) through 1974 FECA
PACs could originally contribute 5x (now 2.5x) what an individual
could contribute
No limit on independent expenditures on PACs
Money is one of the less effective ways by which interest groups
advance their causes. This is due to the change in campaign finance
laws.
REGULATNG INTEREST GROUPS:
Interest group activity is protected by the First Amendment
Law in 1995 broadened who is a lobbyists
(BY 1945 public opinion poll began to show that Americans
believe the votes of members of Congress were available to
the highest bidder. Thus, in late 1995 Congress passed the
first effort to regulate lobbying since the 1946 act) 475-476
Called the Lobbying Disclosure Act
o Makes them register with the House and Senate.
o They have to report the names of their clients, their income and
expenditures, the issues on which they work BUT these do not extend
to grassroots organizations
Tax Codes and campaign finance laws are huge restrictions.
o They can lose their tax-exempt status of a non-profit if they lobby.
o A PAC can spend no more than 5,000 per candidate per election and
$15,000 each year to each of the national party committees
Interest groups also attempt to influence the outcome of elections
American society is pluralistic, consisting of many different interest groups
that compete for and share in political power
Parties, unlike interest groups, nominate candidates for office
While parties are chiefly concerned with winning elections, interest groups
are chiefly concerned with influencing policy
Interest groups help to stimulate interest in public affairs

Interest groups represent groups of people who share attitudes, not

geography
Interest groups provide useful, detailed information to government officials
Interest groups are vehicles for effective political participation
Interest groups are an important element in the system of checks and
balances, keeping an eye on one another and on the activities of public
officials
Public-Interest Groups Public-interest groups, such as the League of
Women Voters and Common Cause, seek to promote policies that will
benefit the American people as a whole rather than the interests of a
special group
Public opinion is the most significant long-term force in American politics
Interest groups supply the public with information, try to portray a positive
image, and promote a particular public policy
Interest groups use propaganda techniques of persuasion to influence
public opinion
Mass media encourage the use of propaganda
PACs are allowed to donate unlimited amounts of money directly to a
particular candidate.
BAD PARTS:
Some interest groups have influence far out of proportion to their size or
importance
It is difficult to tell just how many people an interest group truly represents
and many do not represent the views of the people for whom they claim to
speak
Not all interest groups are equally well organized. For instance, producer
interests are always easier to organize than consumer interests.
Some groups command a disproportionate voice in the interest group
system because they have special advantages. Thus they sway politicians
into their own interests at the expense of the whole country
Though most lobbying is aboveboard, abuses such as false testimony and
bribery still exist
Congress tries to reduce unethical practices by requiring lobbyists to
register, but this law is difficult to enforce
Critics of pluralism argued that interest groups represent special
interests and do not reflect the broader will of the people or the public
good
Over-represent the wealthy in society
Provide self-serving and biased information that warp policymaking.
Interest groups seek to influence the outcome of elections.
By mobilizing their members, groups can deliver volunteers and votes to
campaigns.

Through political action committees (PACs), groups contribute money to

candidates. The influence of PAC contributions has increased considerably
in recent years.
TACTICS OF INTEREST GROUPS:
Control of information and expertise.
Ex. Oil corporations know about oil business more than anybody else.
Electoral activity: Especially for groups with large number of members to
vote or raise money for certain candidates.
Use of economic power: M. Luther King managed to organize a boycott
of the city bus system of Montgomery, Alabama.
Public information campaigns: using media to enlighten the masses
about an issue.
Violence and disruption: Ex. separatist groups.
Litigation: Literally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or
organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the
immediate parties to a case. The Amicus Curiae brief is a way to reveal a
individual group by presenting its arguments.
Ex. to file court cases. Amicus Curiae brief
LOBBYING AND OTHER TACTICS:
Organized groups may form coalitions to expand access to resources and
information, increase their visibility, and enlarge the scope of their
influence.
Protests, which have always been a part of U.S. politics, are the ultimate
form of grassroots activity.
Protest usually accompanies issues that are highly charged emotionally
Protest is a common tactic among those with few resources and little direct
access to power
INTEREST GROUPS AND YOU:
You could use this knowledge of interests groups as another avenue of
participation in the political system
You might have more than a passing interest in things like tuition costs,
residence requirements, and curriculum mandates.
Decisions by government will directly affect your livelihood, and youll
want to have some input into those decisions.
Contemporary interest groups seek influence over policy makers through a
mix of inside strategies and outside strategies.
Inside strategies include:
lobbying
influencing administrative rule-making
litigation
Outside strategies include:
influencing election outcomes
affecting media coverage
Because it is difficult to measure the quantity and quality of the access
that members of Congress actually grant lobbyists, studies really provide

direct, quantitative evidence of the relationship between interest group

campaign contributions and patterns access granted
Each group wants to influence whoever makes the laws or controls the
money that is related to the organization's purpose.
So the National Education Association represents teachers, and seeks to
influence legislators on legislation that involves regulations for schools and
that puts money in the budget for education.
They raise money from supporters, and use it to contribute to candidate's
campaigns.
Since candidate's need huge amounts of money these days to pay for tv
and radio ads, the politicians don't want to anger the special interest
groups, because they will lose that source of funding. That's what makes
special interest groups so powerful.
Another resource they use is public opinion. They often have campaigns
(sometimes on Facebook) to get people to write their legislators.
Most interest groups are not formed for political purposes. They usually
develop to promote programs and disseminate information to enhance the
professional, business, social, or avocational interests of their members.
Much of this activity is nonpolitical
But many such interest groups enter the political arena when they believe
there is no other way to protect their interests or because they want to
secure government funding.
In addition to providing this political experience, groups sometimes
actively recruit candidates for public office, with the hope that once
elected these individuals will support their cause.
Interest groups in most democracies are also a source of financial support
for election campaigns.
In addition to financial resources, members of interest groups are
important resources for grassroots campaigning, such as operating
telephone banks to call prospective voters, canvassing neighborhoods
door-to-door, and organizing get-out-the-vote efforts on election day.
There is one aspect of lobbying that is common in all systems, whether
democratic or authoritarian: building close personal contacts between
group representatives and public officials to foster trust and credibility and
to persuade the government that it needs the group.
Moreover, many interest groups provide major financial backing to political
campaigns; the more widely dispersed its funds are in a country, state, or
local jurisdiction, the more likely that legislators will listen to the concerns
of that group.
Lobbyistpolicy-maker relations are also important in explaining the
relative power of an interest group, since it is at this point that the
demands of the group are conveyed to government. The more skillful the
lobbyists are in forging personal contact with government officials, the
more successful the group is likely to be.

Iron triangles and policy niches in regard to lobbyistpolicy-maker

relations. In such cases, lobbyists, members of the legislature, and, in
particular, members of the key committees work together to get policy
enacted. These arrangements typify a form of elitism with privileged
access leading to established lobbyista policy-maker relationship that
gives insiders an upper hand in influencing public policy.
Within the political divide in US there are influential factors that affect the
outcome of elections such as interest groups
We elect politicians on the basis on the issues by which they stand, and
these issues are either held up or weakened by the numerous interest
groups that exist today. Interest groups target both major and minor
issues, using all of their resources to sponsor or overpower the groups
concern. Interest groups are composed of a limited range of the body of
voters who have a great stake in the issues their group support.
Interest groups are diverse in membership and purpose. They are created,
may evolve in composition and goals, and sometimes die out. Interest
group entrepreneurs may be integral to the creation of interest groups.
Different types of incentives encourage interest group membership, and
organizations use various methods to recruit new members. The media are
particularly critical of labor unions. Interest groups try to influence
elections in order to advance their policy objectives.
Before the Public Utilities Holding Company, and the Federal Regulation of
Lobbying Act were passed, lobbyist were able to bribe politicians to change
their views on legislation. The First Amendment to the UNITED STATES
Constitution also allows interest groups to survive. It states that all citizens
have the right to free speech and the right to petition the government for
redress or grievances. These laws legalize the existence of these groups and
because they have limited them to certain actions, they now use other
tactics and resources to pursue their own interest.
Money speaks louder than words, is a perfect saying when discussing
interest groups. It can be used to reach other resources such as political and
leadership skill and public talent. It also can be used as a campaign support
for candidates that the interest group thinks will do good for them. This
method is mainly used by corporations through indirect channels. Although
legally each corporation is allowed to gather money from fifty volunteer
donors and contribute to one PAC (political action committee) annually.
Today, many Americans believe that the use of interest groups is not a very
moral way of establishing laws. To some degree this is true, I believe that the
use of money to influence others in politics should not be used. I am sure the
founding fathers of our country would not agree that this is a ethical way of
politics. Politicians should stand for what they represent and should not be
effected by the use of material thing, whether its money, gifts, going to
lunches, and things of that nature. Although this issue is very sensitive, I do
believe that the idea of America having interest groups is good. These

groups are still an important part of the legal system. As long as there is no
physical resources influencing politicians. The government should have them
under microscope for unethical practices that may influence politicians. The
reasons there are interest groups is for citizens to bring light on certain
situations and to share that with politicians. Situations like the killing of
rainforest, and national gun control, or even abortion. If America did not
have interest groups the government would have the power to impose laws
that its citizens would not support therefore eventually destroying our
constitutional government.

AARP is an example of good and bad. Good to lobby for senior citizens
and such... Bad because they now use their influence in things that
have nothing to do with senior citizens. Depends on the group. People
seem to forget that corporations and the wealthy and the religious
right are not the only ones who have interest groups. But other interest
groups include Boy Scouts, people who like jazz, people who want to
keep our nation's parks shining, etc. So some interest groups are good
and some are bad. It is Democracy itself that encourages them.
Depends on what the interest groups political goals are, and how they
go about achieving them. Interest group activities can range from
merely exposing a politician to information, all the way up to bribing
them for votes.
1) Interest groups have no power themselves: the power of interest
groups all comes from their ability to mobilize other people in positions
of power to do things (e.g. lobbyists trying to influence members of
Congress/Senate).
2) Funding: interest groups are usually reliant on donations from
members or sympathizers to function. Cut the money, they fall away
and are not heard.
3) Money controls: interest groups will usually be influenced by who is
donating the money; they will have to basically agree to the beliefs of
whomever is donating the money, sometimes even if it strays off the
ideology of the interest group itself.
4) Bias: interest groups are known to basically only highlight problems
regarding their causes and ignoring the rest. They can often be biased
and over time this can result in nobody really taking them seriously. For
example, PETA... they had this idea of calling fish "sea kittens" because
nobody would eat a kitten (don't believe me, google that). This is really

a ridiculous point and nobody takes it at all seriously. It only serves to

taint PETA's image as a legitimate organization. They leave out the fact
that fish is a traditional dish for many cultures. See, bias and illogical
thinking.

Interest groups have no power themselves: the power of interest

groups all comes from their ability to mobilize other people in positions
of power to do things (e.g. lobbyists trying to influence members of
Congress/Senate).
Funding: interest groups are usually reliant on donations from
members or sympathizers to function. Cut the money, they fall away
and are not heard.
Money controls: interest groups will usually be influenced by who is
donating the money; they will have to basically agree to the beliefs of
whomever is donating the money, sometimes even if it strays off the
ideology of the interest group itself.
Bias: interest groups are known to basically only highlight problems
regarding their causes and ignoring the rest. They can often be biased
and over time this can result in nobody really taking them seriously. For
example, PETA... they had this idea of calling fish "sea kittens" because
nobody would eat a kitten (don't believe me, google that). This is really
a ridiculous point and nobody takes it at all seriously. It only serves to
taint PETA's image as a legitimate organization. They leave out the fact
that fish is a traditional dish for many cultures. See, bias and illogical
thinking.
I think the biggest one that is both a positive and a negative is their
ability to represent minority issues. Things that may not get enough
attention are much better represented by special interest groups. This
is a double edged sword, because certain minority views end up having
much more political power and sway, which can hurt the majority.
Special interest groups are an important part of our political process,
think of it as citizens united for a common cause. They can be most
effective, for example "The Tea Party" as for if they are positive or
negative, it depends on which side of the fence you're on (Liberal or
conservative)

Interest groups (as well as lobbies) are often called the fourth branch of
government, and yes, I believe they very much further American
Democracy. They are the largest and most popular outlet for the
average American to interact with government business. Interest
groups work as a powerful check against both Congress and the
Executive. Environmental groups (Sierra club, EDF, EA) have forced
government to enact numerous checks on big business pollution.
Feminist interest groups (NOW, NARAL) worked to gain women suffrage
and Unions have increased worker's rights greatly. AARP arguably the
most powerful interest group, makes sure the government does not
forget the elderly in our country. PACs are able to influence campaigns
and Think Tanks keep a close eye on a specific piece of government
action.
For example, the Sierra Club might lobby congressman in an attempt
to convince them to pass some kind of environmental reform. Similarly,
they might donate money, or mobilize volunteers for candidates who
support environmental reform.
Interest groups help like minded people band together to assert a
greater voice collectively than would be possible individually. In return
for the electoral support they provide to representatives, they often
receive favorable legislation, low regulation, and special favors. Of
course, friendly legislation is the purpose of interest groups, but low
regulation and special favors can lead to rampant corruption and quid
pro quo arrangements. In other words, interest groups are set up in a
way that often encourages government officials to provide favors to
those who made their election possible (donors).
No one who accepts money from someone else is truly free to serve
the public good in a fair-minded way. Running for election in the USA
costs millions of dollars, needed to pay for a campaign organisation
and television advertisements. When a politician relies on huge sums
of money contributed by an interest group in order to run, his or her
vote will naturally be influenced by the wishes of that organisation
rather than by what is best for the country.
the democratic process is all about representation. interest groups, by
definition, represent the views/opinions of group to the government
and the general public. you can bet that virtually every political opinion

you hold is represented by some interest group or another. some

examples:
pro-choice.... Planned Parenthood
pro-life.... National Right to Life Foundation
gun rights advocates.... NRA
free speech advocates.... ACLU
elderly.... AARP
black.... NAACP
women.... NOW
pro-business.... chamber of commerce
Jewish... Anti-Defamation League
pot smokers/people who support them.... NORML
conservationists..... Sierra Club
.... the list goes on and on...
interest groups allow people to put thier voices together and be heard
more than they could by themselves. they serve an invaluable and
integral function in the democratic process by giving the citizens a
megaphone to ensure their voices are heard and their opinions are
taken into account in the public discourse.
Special interest groups get an unfair amount of attention from our
elected representatives.
Mainly because they have a lot of money to "donate" to elections

Create your draft response for this essay.

Publish.
Essay 5
Different interest groups will choose different techniques to achieve
their objectives based on their resources, characteristics, and goals.
a) describe each of the following techniques and explain why an
interest group would choose each technique.
Litigation
Campaign contributions
Grassroots Lobbying / mass mobilization.

b) Select one of the following groups and identify the primary

technique it uses from the list in part (a). Explain why the group you
selected would employ that technique over the other two
techniques.
American Medical Association
Sierra Club
NRA
NAACP
Essay Outline
Litigation- The process of taking legal action
Campaign Contributions- Money given to political campaigns to run
for office. caps are set on how money a known organization can give
versus an unknown organization.
Grassroots Lobbying/ Mass mobilization- Also known as indirect
lobbying, is an attempt to affect the public opinion on legislature.
With the intention of reaching the legislature and affecting the
decision making process.
Part B Outline
NRA- The National Rifle Association is a nonprofit organization since
1871 and is an advocate of gun proficiency, ownership and safety.
In today's political climate, interest groups play an important role in the
governmental system. Interest groups are out to change laws by supporting
political candidates, lobbying and more. Political parties are out to raise
campaign funds, while pushing their policy agendas and achieving their political
goals.