Interest Groups AP Government Unit 3 Chap 16

Interest Groups AP Government Unit 3 Chap 16

What is an Interest Group? ? • Interest groups are organizations that share information groups with members (linkage) and which tries to influence policy on behalf of the members • An interest group is an organization made up of people who share common objectives

What do Interest Groups do? l Try to influence public policy l Interest groups express their members’ preferences to government policymakers l Interest groups convey government policy to their members l Interest groups raise and spend money to influence policymakers

What SHOULD Interest Groups do? : • Promote interest in public affairs • Provide useful information • Serve as watchdogs • Represent the interest of Citizens

Differences between Interest Groups and Political Parties l Interest groups seek to support public officials and influence public policy l Political parties are involved in many diverse issues – Interest groups focus on very narrow issues, related to members l Political parties are accountable to the public and voted into office – Interest groups are private and accountable to their members

l l def: a multitude of groups, not the people as a whole, govern the United States. Organizations (unions, professional associations, environmentalists, civil rights activists, business lobbies, etc) influence the making and administration of laws and policy. Pluralism Theory Didn’t J-Mad say all this in Federalist 10?

l If Americans do not decide major controversies themselves or indirectly through elections, how are such matters resolved? Pluralists are convinced that public policy emerges from competition among groups. Pluralism Theory Didn’t J-Mad say all this in Federalist 10?

Pluralism Interest #2 (Banking Industry) Interest #1 (Farmers) Government Policies Interest #4 (Student Loan recipients) Interest #3 (AARP)

Types of Interest Groups There are thousands of interest groups in America because the government deals with billions of dollars l Most interest groups are headquartered in Washington D. C. l

1. Business Groups Most large corporations employ lobbyists to monitor political activity l The National Association of manufacturers represents 12, 000 small firms in all 50 states l The Chamber of Commerce spends over $20 million a year lobbying l The Business Roundtable represents corporations with over $5 trillion in revenue and nearly 10 million employees l

2. Labor Groups Although not as strong as in the past; 16 million Americans are in Unions l Trade Unions tend to support the Democratic Party and are big financial contributors l The American Federation of Labor is the largest union in size and power with over 10 million members l

3. Agricultural Groups Although less than 2% of the population, their interest groups are very influential in shaping agricultural policy l The farm Bureau and the National Farmers union are broad-based organizations that speak for farmers l There also specialized interest groups that deal with areas of farming such as milk or cattle l

4. Professional Associations The National Education Association represents 3. 2 million teachers. l They are involved in public policy issues like Common Core and No Child Left Behind l The American Medical Association is the largest group of physicians l The American Bar Association represents over 400, 000 lawyers l

5. Environmental Groups l Interest groups such as the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, and the World Wildlife Fund are dedicated to pollution control, animal rights, and nuclear power

6. Public Interest Groups l There are over 2, 000 groups that champion causes for the public good. There include the League of Women Voters

7. Equality Interests The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is one the oldest and most influential civil rights organizations l The National Association of Women (NOW) is the largest feminist organization in American with a mission to bring equality to women and end gender discrimination l

8. Single-Issue Groups The National Right to Life Committee opposes abortions, while Planned Parenthood lobbies for reproductive rights l The National Rifle Association is one of the largest and most influential single-issue groups l The National coalition to bar Handguns is a single-interest group dedicated to gun control l

9. Other Types of Interest Groups • Cause-based • • (National Wildlife Federation, League of Women Voters, National Rifle Association, MADD, Emily’s List) Concerned with the welfare of people • • (AARP – senior citizens, NAACP – African Americans) Religious Organizations • (Christian Coalition, American Jewish Congress)

Legislators tend to vote: l FOR: l legislation that confers significant benefits on relatively small (but organized and active) groups and imposes small costs on the public at large Ex. Farm Subsidies l l AGAINST: l legislation that imposes costs on small (but organized and active) groups and deprives the public at large of relatively small benefits Ex. Benefits cuts for military l

Lobbyists l A Lobbyist is someone whose task it is to influence legislation or policymaking l Generally works for an interest group to gain access to policymakers and influence public policy l Lobbyists are hired by: l Businesses l Trade associations l Colleges or universities l Foreign countries l Anyone else wanting their voice heard on policy matters (Health issues, parent issues…)

What Lobbyists SHOULD Do l A lobbyist must be honest and truthful if he or she wants to remain effective. l Access to lawmakers is critical and if a lobbyist gets a reputation of being untruthful or disingenuous legislators doors will close. l Good lobbyists will also make lawmakers aware of the downsides of a bill and the arguments on the other side as well. http: //www. colbertnation. com/the-colbert-report-videos/168449/may-13 -2008/better -know-a-lobby---gun-control

The Roots and Development of American Interest Groups l National Groups Emerge (1830 -89) l The beginnings of lobbying and interest groups Anti-Slavery groups l Temperance Groups l The Grange l l The Progressive Era (1890 -1920) l l Important groups created Organized Labor l l The American Federation of Labor (AFL) (1886) Business and Trade Associations l The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) (1895)

Lobbying Congress Currently 30, 000 lobbyists work in Washington D. C. l Lobbyists testify before congressional committees l Lobbyists provide members of Congress with information on technical issues l They generally meet informally with aides l

Lobbying the Executive Branch Most executive lobbying involves dealing with aides or other officials l Most presidents have a person responsible for allowing interest groups access to the administration l Very rarely does it involve direct contact with the president l

Lobbying the Courts Lobbyists CAN NOT informally meet federal judges who are hearing a case that is related an issues important to the interest group l Interest groups can take their cases to court l For example: the NAACP efforts to get legislation passed – Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka l They can write amicus curiae briefs l Interest groups are influential in getting federal court justices nominated l

Why People Join Interest Groups 1. Solidarity Incentives • For the social contacts • League of Women Voters, NAACP, PTSA, American Legion 2. Material Incentives • For economic reasons • AARP, Farmers Groups, Labor Unions 3. Purposive Incentives • For moral causes / crusades • Right to-Life, Pro-Choice, Greenpeace

Who Joins Interest Groups? l Upper class interest groups- Big Business l More affluent join and are active l White collar workers l Professional groups l Working class interest groups- Big Labor l Labor unions have been very powerful in past l The AFL-CIO broke up in 2004, cutting big labor’s power

Interest Group Area of Concern/Cause Who are They? Who Do They Support? ? AARP -American Association of Retired Persons Benefits for retired people- Important voting block! Both; Middle-aged Republicans; Very old people Democrats AFL-CIO Workplace issues and benefits for workers Labor Union/Blue collar workers; Usually votes for Democrats American Bar Association Concerned with legal issues such as caps on awards to victims; malpractice Lawyers; Usually Republicans but not always ACLU-American Civil Liberties Union Concerned with Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties Can be both but more associated with Democrats/Libertarians AMA- American Med. Association Medical issues; Stem cell research; malpractice Doctors; Usually Republicans Amnesty International Concerned about the treatment of prisoners worldwide; political prisoners Usually Democrats AIPAC Also B'nai B'rith ) Civil rights; Interested in Israel issues Jewish Americans; Mostly Democrats Children's Defense Fund Issues involving children- insurance, Mostly Democrats Christian Coalition Religious issues; pro-life An important voting block! Republicans

Facts About the AARP l Among those over 50, AARP members are more likely to vote than nonmembers. % of Americans Registered to vote: 85% % of AARP Members Registered to Vote 90% % of American who always vote in local elections: 50% % of AARP Members who always vote in Local Elections 57% % of Americans who always vote in presidential elections 77% % of AARP Members who always vote in presidential elections 84%

Interest Group Techniques Direct Techniques: Indirect Techniques: l Lobby at Capitol Hill l Generating Public Pressure l Have private meetings l Meet at social occasions l Use public pressure on “hot button” issues l Testify at hearings l Use constituents to call l Drafting legislation lawmakers l Providing political info l Build alliances with other l Supply nomination groups suggestions

What Makes an Interest Group Successful? 1. 2. 3. Leaders – having a prominent leader aids in the reputation of the group and enhances a group's ability to attain its goals. Patrons and Funding – funding is critical. Without money, it is hard to get your message out. Members – a group must have members to be successful. Organizing members allows for strength in numbers and pooling of financial support.

Where does ALL the $$ Come From in Interest Groups? ? Member dues l Federal grants l Direct mail appeals for cash l Internet sites l Dinners and fundraisers l PAC’s !!!! l

Political Action Committees l A popular term for a political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. l l PACS are the so-called “political arms” of interest groups l l Most PACS represent business, labor or ideological interests. PACS are used to elect or defeat government officials and promote legislation The “revolving door” l PACS hire former members of Congress to lobby their old friends, committees, etc…

The Birth of PACS l l In 1944, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, (CIO) wanted to help President Franklin Roosevelt get re-elected. Standing in their way was the Smith Connally Act of 1943, which made it illegal for labor unions to contribute funds to federal candidates. The CIO then urged individual union members to voluntarily contribute money directly to the Roosevelt campaign. It worked very well and PACs, or political action committees were born.

Political Action Committees (PAC’s) l l l A PAC must register six months in advance, have at least fifty contributors, and give to at least five candidates. Corporations, unions, or other associations may establish PAC’s. There are over 4, 000 PACs registered with the Federal Election Commission.

Money from PACS l l PACs may receive up to $5, 000 from any one individual, PAC or party committee per calendar year. PACs can give $5, 000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general or special). l They can also give up to $15, 000 annually to any national party committee, and $5, 000 annually to any other PACS support candidates with campaign money Incumbents get the most PAC money!!

Money Limits l Individuals can give up to $2600 to a candidate but PACS can give $5, 000 to a candidate l Federal money will match presidential campaign money but…. l Parties need at least 5% of vote in previous year for presidential candidate to receive funds l If that doesn’t happen you need PAC’s!!! http: //www. colbertnation. com/the-colbert-reportvideos/379369/march-30 -2011/colbert-pac---trevor-potter

Important PAC’s The Laborers International Union of North America l The National Association of Realtors l The National Rifle Association (NRA) l Microsoft Corp l Exxon Mobil l EMILY’s List- Early money is like yeast – l makes the Dough rise (Democratic women) l Human Rights Campaign

2014 Top PAC Contributions PAC Name Operating Engineers Union Total Amount Dem Pct Repub Pct $1, 571, 208 80% 20% Honeywell $1, 557, 029 42% 58% Northrop Grumman $1, 539, 250 40% 60% Lockheed Martin $1, 503, 000 39% 61% Every Republican is Crucial PAC $1, 500, 000 0% 100% AT&T Inc. $1, 490, 350 40% 60% National Beer Wholesalers Assoc. $1, 479, 500 41% 59% Intern. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $1, 436, 024 97% 3%

Where does all the $$ Go? AKA If you give you shall receive!!

Super PACs l Super PACs are a new kind of political action committee created in July 2010 following the outcome of a federal court case known as Speech. Now. org v. Federal Election Commission (after the Citizens United case). l Technically they are known as “independent expenditure-only committees” http: //www. colbertnation. com/the-colbert-reportvideos/382014/april-14 -2011/colbert-super-pac---trevor-potter

l l l Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from l Corporations l Unions l Associations and individuals They spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates. l Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates. Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis -- the Super PAC's choice -- as a traditional PAC would

Super PAC Group Independent Expenditures Viewpoint Total Raised American Crossroads $1, 135, 853 Conservative $6, 643, 257 House Majority PAC $919, 562 Liberal $985, 000 Communications Workers of America $107, 000 Liberal $295, 000 Cooperative of American Physicians $102, 184 n/a $1, 258, 351 Priorities USA Action $96, 555 Liberal $3, 161, 535 Majority PAC $86, 550 Liberal $1, 082, 407 Club for Growth Action $51, 917 Conservative $1, 144, 022 Conservative Action Fund $25, 287 Conservative $35, 000 Lantern Project $20, 435 Liberal $25, 310 Freedomworks for America $12, 295 Conservative $0 Turn Right USA $5, 792 Conservative $285 United Mine Workers of America $4, 782 Power PAC Liberal $0 Raising Red $2, 125 Conservative $200, 000 Matthew 25 Network $1, 100 Liberal $0

Acts Regulating Lobbyists l l l 1946 Federal Regulation of Lobbying "sunshine law" l Lobbyists must register and file reports about what they are doing, for whom, and for how much money 1978 Ethics in Government Act l Officials must disclose finances and employment after leaving government service 1995 The Lobbying Disclosure Act l Must Register and Report clients l Estimate how much they are paid and report the % to the government FYI- Approximately 6 Million Dollars were spent lobbying EACH member of Congress in 2015!