What is the purpose of Interest Groups?
What is their effect on the American Political
System?
What you need to know

What make IGs successful?
 What methods do IGs use?
 What types of IGs are there?
Reputation of Interest Groups
– The writers of the
Constitution disliked
organized groups
(factions)- parties and
interest groups.
– Dishonest lobbyists get
more press than the
honest ones- even
though there are far
more honest lobbyists.
– The term “lobbying” in
general has negative
connotations.
Types of Interest
Groups



Economic/Trade Interests
– Work for the interest of those involved in
their area
– Labor Unions, Business Organizations,
Industries
Public Interests
– Environmental, Equality, and Consumer
Rights
– Work for the collective good
Single Issue
– Fight for the interests of one specific issue
What Makes an Interest
Group Successful?

Intensity
– Single-Issue groups: Groups that focus on a narrow
interest and dislike compromise.
– Groups may focus on an emotional issue, providing
them with a psychological advantage.
– May be more likely to use protests and other means
of political participation than traditional interest
groups that use lobbyists.
What Makes an Interest
Group Successful?

Financial Resources
– Not all groups have equal amounts of money.
– Monetary donations usually translate into
access to the politicians- a phone call, a
meeting, etc.
– There is a bias towards the wealthier groups.
How Groups Try to Shape
Policy
– Electioneering (Affecting an election)
–
–
Interest groups can donate campaign funds.
Lobbyists can help politicians plan political strategies
for reelection campaigns.
– Interest groups can run advertisements supporting a
candidate.
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjV2AWzBQNo
– Lobbying (Making Changes in Government)
– Lobbyists are a source of information for upcoming
legislation.
– Lobbyists can provide ideas and innovations that can be
turned into policies that the politician can take credit for.
How Groups Try to Shape
Policy


Litigation
– If an interest group fails in one area, the courts may be able to
provide a remedy.
– Interest groups can file amicus curiae briefs in court cases to
support their position.
Going Public/Gaining Public Support
– Groups try and cultivate a good public image.
– Groups use marketing strategies to influence public opinion of the
group and its issues.
– Groups will purchase advertising to motivate the public about an
issue.
What Makes an Interest
Group UNsuccessful?

The Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large
Groups
– Free-Rider problem
– Large groups are difficult to keep organized.
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdt6Jj64TV
U
The Interest Group Explosion
1959- 6000
2001- 22,000
Figure 11.3
Understanding Interest
Groups

Interest Groups and Democracy
– A wide open government would force groups to
compete and counterbalance each other.
(Pluralist Theory)
– Some argue that all of these groups working
against each other cause policy gridlock.
(Hyper pluralist Theory)
– Others argue that groups are not equal and
some have disproportionate power. (Elite and
Class Theory)
Understanding Interest
Groups

Interest Groups and the Scope of
Government
– Interest groups continue to pressure/lobby the
government to do more for their group’s
interest.
– But as the government does more things for
each group, does that cause the formation of
more groups?