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Interest Groups 10 Video: The Big Picture 10 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch10_Interest_Groups_S eg1_v2.html Learning Objectives 10 10.1 Describe the role of interest groups in American politics 10.2 Compare and contrast the theories of pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralism Learning Objectives 10 10.3 Analyze the factors that make some interest groups more successful than others in the political arena 10.4 Assess the four basic strategies that interest groups use to try to shape policy Learning Objectives 10.5 10.6 10 Identify the various types of interest groups and their policy concerns Evaluate how well Madison’s ideas for controlling the influence of interest groups have worked in practice Video: The Basics 10 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_InterestGroups_v2.html Role of Interest Groups Interest groups pursue policy goals Different from political parties Do not run candidates Policy specialists, not generalists 25,000 interest groups Technology aids lobbying 10.1 10.1 How many interest groups are there in the United States? a. 5,000 b. 25,000 c. 100,000 d. 50,000 10.1 10.1 How many interest groups are there in the United States? a. 5,000 b. 25,000 c. 100,000 d. 50,000 10.1 Video: In Context 10.1 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_InterestGroups_v2.html Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralism Elitism Hyperpluralism 10.2 Pluralism Group theory of politics Groups link people and government Groups compete No one group likely to become dominant Groups play by the rules of the game Groups weak in one resource can use another Concessions Some groups stronger than others All interests do not get equal hearing 10.2 Elitism 10.2 Real power held by a few 78% of Americans share this view Interlocking directorates Multinational corporations Lobbying benefits the few at the expense of the many Video: In the Real World 10.2 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_InterestGroups_v2.html Hyperpluralism 10.2 Interest group liberalism Groups out of control Government tries to appease all of them Budgets, programs, regulations expand Iron triangles Contradictory and confusing policy results 10.2 Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively? a. Elitism b. Hyperpluralism c. Pluralism d. None of the above 10.2 10.2 Which theory of interest group politics views interest groups positively? a. Elitism b. Hyperpluralism c. Pluralism d. None of the above 10.2 What Makes an Interest Group Successful? 10.3 Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups Intensity Financial Resources Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Groups Smaller groups have advantage Potential group Actual group Collective good Free-rider problem Selective benefits 10.3 Intensity Psychological advantage Single-issue groups On the rise Dislike compromise Abortion 10.3 Financial Resources 10.3 System is biased toward wealthy 2008 federal elections cost $5 billion Donations lead to access But $$$ does not always lead to lobbying success Other side contributes, too 10.3 Why does money not always 10.3 lead to lobbying success? a. Other side can also make contributions b. Campaign contributions are too restricted to make a significant difference c. Most groups cannot afford to buy politicians d. Most politicians refuse to accept interest group contributions 10.3 Why does money not always 10.3 lead to lobbying success? a. Other side can also make contributions b. Campaign contributions are too restricted to make a significant difference c. Most groups cannot afford to buy politicians d. Most politicians refuse to accept interest group contributions How Groups Try to Shape Policy Lobbying Electioneering Litigation Going Public 10.4 Lobbying 10.4 Two types of lobbyists Full-time employee Temporary employee Often former legislators Why do Congressmen listen to lobbyists? Lobbyists provide specialized expertise Lobbyists help with political & campaign strategy Lobbyists provide ideas FIGURE 10.1: Industries’ big spenders on lobbying, 2009-2011 10.4 NRA 10.4 Electioneering Aiding candidates financially Getting out the vote PACs $5,000 limit in primary and general election Mainly support incumbents Should PACs be eliminated? 10.4 Explore Interest Groups: Can Interest Groups Buy Public Policy? 10.4 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_edwards_mpslgi a_16/pex/pex10.html Litigation Suing for enforcement Environmental regulations Civil rights groups – 1950s Amicus curiae briefs Class action lawsuits 10.4 Going Public Public opinion influences policy makers Mobilize public opinion Public relations 10.4 Interest group ad 10.4 10.4 On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic? a. Lobbying b. Litigation c. Electioneering d. Going public 10.4 10.4 On what tactic do interest groups rely to influence policy when Congress is unsympathetic? a. Lobbying b. Litigation c. Electioneering d. Going public 10.4 Explore the Simulation: You Are a Lobbyist 10.4 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media _1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=16 Types of Interest Groups Economic interests Environmental interests Equality interests Consumer and other public interest lobbies 10.5 Economic Interests Labor Unions Closed shop versus “right-to-work” 10.5 Wisconsin collective bargaining fight 10.5 Economic Interests Business Dominate lobbying and PACs Business interests not monolithic Policy differences among industries 10.5 FIGURE 10.2: How corporate PACs have shifted toward the majority party 10.5 Environmental Interests Sprang up since 1970 More than 10,000 groups with $2.9 billion revenue Profound policy impact Influential due to numbers, not money 10.5 Save the polar bear 10.5 Equality Interests Fourteenth Amendment guarantees Minorities NAACP/Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Social welfare policies Women National Organization for Women (NOW) Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) 10.5 Consumer and Other Public Interest Lobbies Policies in the public interest Collective goods What is the public interest? 10.5 Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist 10.5 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_InterestGroups_v2.html 10.5 Which interest groups are the best funded? a. Economic groups b. Environmental groups c. Consumer groups d. Women’s rights groups 10.5 10.5 Which interest groups are the best funded? a. Economic groups b. Environmental groups c. Consumer groups d. Women’s rights groups 10.5 Understanding Interest Groups Interest Groups and Democracy Interest Groups and the Scope of Government 10.6 Interest Groups and Democracy Does pluralism prevail? Growth in number of interest groups Less clout for any one group Interest group corruption? Business PACs Wealthy groups dominate Gridlock? 10.6 Interest Groups and the Scope of Government Individualistic and associational Difficult to reduce spending Vicious circle Groups lead to policy Policy prompts new groups to form 10.6 10.6 What do hyperpluralists see as a problem with the proliferation of interest groups? a. They do not see a problem with large numbers of groups b. They think too many groups competing will lead to policy gridlock c. They believe that a few groups will triumph over all the others d. None of the above 10.6 10.6 What do hyperpluralists see as a problem with the proliferation of interest groups? a. They do not see a problem with large numbers of groups b. They think too many groups competing will lead to policy gridlock c. They believe that a few groups will triumph over all the others d. None of the above 10.6 Discussion Question 10 What are the three main theories of interest group politics? Which theory do you think provides the most accurate explanation for how interest groups interact with government in the U.S. today? Video: So What? 10 http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED IA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch10_Interest_Groups_S eg6_v2.html Further Review: On MyPoliSciLab Listen to the Chapter Study and Review the Flashcards Study and Review the Practice Tests 10