University:
California State University, Northridge
Course:
POLS 155 | American Political Institutions
Academic year:

2024
Views:

88

Pages:

23
Author:

reannagn8t

Chapter 12: Interest Groups Interest Group Pluralism “By a faction I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.” —James Madison, Federalist 10 James Madison’s Federalist 10 provides a basis for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of interest group politics in the United States. The Institution Principle Because “the latent causes of faction … are sown in the nature of man,” Madison argued that institutional arrangement must be erected to control the effects of factional politics. Madison believed:  Balancing the conflicting interests of different factions was the most reliable way to control the negative effects of factional politics.  Increasing the number and variety of factions actually aided the pursuit of the public good. Following Madison, mid20th century pluralists argued that interest group politics was a major strength of American government and society. Pluralism is the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government. The outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation. Pluralists argued that interest groups   represent many diverse interests in society; provide expert information and perspectives that improve policy making. Critics of pluralism argued that interest groups  represent “special interests” and do not reflect the broader will of the people or the public good;  overrepresent the wealthy in society;  provide self-serving and biased information that warp policy making. Even if they disagreed on whether group politics was good or bad, pluralists and their critics were united in their belief that interest groups were plentiful, powerful, and influential in American politics.    What kinds of interest groups exist? Why do people join interest groups? How do groups gain influence in politics? Types of Interest Groups Interest groups form  to increase the chance that their views will be heard;  to influence government;  to represent interests and encourage political participation. Some interest groups organize because they have a direct economic interest in government policies. Examples of such economic interest groups include:  National Association of Manufacturers  American Farm Bureau Federation Organized labor organizations are important interest groups in Washington politics. Examples include:  AFL-CIO  The International Brotherhood of Teamsters  SEIU Professional associations also try to influence the government: – – American Medical Association American Bar Association Some groups, like public interest groups and ideological groups, become active not out of direct economic interest but for some broader purpose. Public-sector groups like the National League of Cities, think tanks, and universities also lobby the government. Although pluralists are correct that there are a wide variety of interest groups, critics of pluralism are also correct that some interests (particularly wealthy interests) are better represented than others in American politics. 2,000 ANALYZING THE EVIDENCE Since the 1970s, the number of PACs in the United States has sextupled. PACs are not the only type of interest group, but their proliferation suggests that interest-group activity has been on the rise. What factors account for the rise in interest-group activity? Corporate 1,500 V, a. LL. 0::: w 1,000 CCI � ::::> Trade, Membership, Health z 500 Labor Corporate without stock FIGURE 12.1 PAC Count, 1974-2006 Types of Selective Benefits Interest groups give individuals incentives to join the group through the provision of selective benefits.     informational benefits material benefits solidary benefits purposive benefits Strategies of Influence Contemporary interest groups seek influence over policy makers through a mix of “inside” strategies and “outside” strategies. Inside strategies include:  lobbying  influencing administrative rulemaking  litigation Outside strategies include:  influencing election outcomes  affecting media coverage Interest groups hire lawyers to influence the judiciary. Sometimes groups are litigants in lawsuits. Often groups submit amicus curiae briefs giving their perspectives on cases to which they are not a party. Interest groups seek to influence public opinion by   developing media strategies and advertising (known as going public); mobilizing citizens at the grass roots. Finally, 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. PAC Contributors to Federal Candidates, Top 10 (2007-08) Operating Engineers Union International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers American Bankers Association PAC Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union AT&T National Beer Wholesalers Association Laborers' Union AFSCME Credit Union National Association American Association for Justice 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Millions of Dollars 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 U.S. Type of Org. in Washington l Ratio of Orgs. to Adults Adults(%) Orgs. (%) Managerial/administrative 7 71.0 Business association Professional/technical 9 17.0 Professional association 1.90 group politics is biased Student/teacher 4 4.0 Educational organization 1.00 in favor of the wealthy and the powerful, Farmworker 2 1.5 Agricultural workers' organization 0.75 should we curb group Unable to work 2 0.6 Organization for the handicapped politics? What was James Madison's an- 0.30 Other nonfarm workers 41 4.0 Union 0.10 Homemaker 19 1.8 Women's organization 0.09 Retired 12 0.8 Senior citizens' organization 0.07 4 0.1 Unemployment organization 0.03 ANALYZING THE EVIDENCE What types of interests are most likely to be represented by interest groups? If interest- swer? Do you agree with Madison? Economic Role of the Individual Looking for work I TABLE 12.1 Who Is Represented by Organized Interests? 10.10 Category Benefits Informational benefits Conferences Professional contacts Training programs Publications Coordination among organizations Research Legal help Professional codes Collective bargaining Material benefits Travel packages Insurance Discounts on consumer goods Solidary benefits Friendship Networking opportunities Purposive benefits Advocacy Representation before government Participation in public affairs Adapted from Jack L. Walker Jr., Mobilizing Interest Groups in America: Patrons, Professions, and Social Movements (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1991 ), p. 86. SOURCE: TABLE 12.2 Selective Benefits of Interest-Group Membership 1996 2004 Primary Campaigns Winner of Republican primary Winner of Democratic primary All others 44.9 42.5 160.9 95.5 48.1 208.0 269.6 234.6 169.7 General Election Campaigns Major party grants Republican candidate's legal and accounting expenditures Democratic candidate's legal and accounting expenditures Reform grant 123.6 3.5 135.2 9.0 149.2 12.2 4.2 11.5 8.9 12.6 TABLE 12.3 Presidential Campaign Receipts for PAC Contributions (in millions of dollars) (top) ANALYZI G E EVIDENCE Political action committees contributed more than $1 billion to the Democratic and Republican campaign efforts in 2004. This is nearly $400,000 more than their total contributions in 2000. Why do PACs con tribute so much money to political candidates? On what other sources of fund ing do candidates rely?

Chapter 12 Interest Groups

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